The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has generated ₦1.585 trillion in revenue from 51 companies enrolled under its Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Dr Abdullahi Maiwada, said the AEO scheme accounted for 21.77 per cent of the NCS’s total revenue collection of ₦7.281 trillion in 2025.
He noted that revenue generated by the 51 certified companies rose from ₦1.222 trillion prior to their admission into the programme to ₦1.585 trillion after certification, representing an increase of ₦362 billion, or 29.68 per cent, as of October 27, 2025.
“The NCS wishes to inform the public of the significant revenue and trade facilitation milestone achieved under the Authorised Economic Operator Programme, with revenue increasing from ₦1.22 trillion before certification to ₦1.58 trillion after certification, reflecting a growth of ₦362 billion (29.68 per cent) for the 51 AEO-certified entities as of 27 October 2025,” Maiwada stated.
According to the AEO Monitoring and Evaluation Report, the programme recorded an average compliance rate of 85.45 per cent, with the highest at 100 per cent and the lowest at 60 per cent. Maiwada explained that the evaluation adopted rigorous methodologies to ensure transparency, objectivity and alignment with the World Customs Organisation’s SAFE Framework of Standards, as well as the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
Customs duties paid by participating companies rose by 85.66 per cent, driven by improved compliance and increased volumes of legitimate trade.
On trade facilitation, Maiwada disclosed that AEO participation reduced the average cargo clearance time from 168 hours to 41 hours, a 75 per cent reduction.
He added that company operating costs declined by 57 per cent, while demurrage payments dropped by 90 per cent, helping to curb capital flight to foreign-owned port service providers and strengthen foreign exchange retention. Overall trade efficiency improved by 77 per cent through digitalisation, simplified procedures and targeted risk management.
