The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has advocated for the implementation of the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) program to improve the efficiency and predictability of trade facilitation in the country.
The AEO status signifies internationally recognized standards, affirming that a business’s role in the global supply chain is secure and adheres to customs control procedures meeting the requirements.
While addressing stakeholders at a meeting aimed at promoting this initiative, Adeniyi emphasized the importance of collaboration among the customs service, Other Government Agencies (OGAs), and experts to enhance AEO programs.
He stressed the collective effort required to transform the narrative surrounding ease of doing business within Nigerian ports and its environs.
He said, “And if you have observed, you will also see that AEO cuts across virtually every player in the sector, the exporter, the importer, the government agencies, regulatory agency, the customs, and everybody in one way or the other.
“This allows us to address some of those issues so that when next operators talk about compiling how much it takes them, we will see data that are a little bit more friendly.”
Adeniyi also mentioned that in February, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) initiated a Time Release Study (TRS) as an additional step to streamline the trading process within the country.
He has reassured stakeholders of customs’ readiness to commence the AEO pilot program, tentatively scheduled to begin on April 15.
He further elaborated that the pilot’s goals included assessing the visibility and efficacy of implementing the AEO initiative within the service and gathering feedback from all key stakeholders.
According to him, “All these pilots that we want to run, we aim to identify potential challenges, fine-tune our processes, and lay the groundwork for a full-scale rollout of the AEO programme.”
He expressed confidence in the customs service’s commitment to promoting transparency, inclusivity, and collaboration and the importance of ensuring that the design and implementation of the program align seamlessly with international standards.
“Why we do this is we want to remain attuned to the unique realities of our local context. Seven key stakeholders that are legal entities whose operations span across the international supply chain have been carefully selected by the pilot programs.
“This is a collective and transformative journey we must come together with renewed determination. Knowing that together we can shape a future that knows no boundaries and prosperity with no limits.”
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