The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, has directed the immediate implementation of a new corruption-risk mapping framework across all commands, zones, and units of the Service. This move aims to strengthen the identification and mitigation of corruption risks across Customs operations. The directive was given in Abuja after Adeniyi signed key documents, including the Standard Operating Procedure for Conducting Internal Corruption Risk Analysis and Mapping.
The signed documents were developed through collaboration between an internal NCS team, the World Customs Organisation, and partner Customs administrations. His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs was also involved in the development process. According to Adeniyi, the framework will provide officers at ports, borders, and airports with practical tools to identify vulnerabilities in their operations and implement measures to address them.
The ICRAM methodology was piloted in seven commands and units, covering 66 processes across regulatory, core Customs, and support functions. The pilot phase included several key commands such as Apapa Area Command, Murtala Muhammed Cargo, and Murtala Muhammed International Airport Commands. The pilot produced an Integrity Action Plan containing 101 action items and 295 sub-action items aimed at reducing corruption.
The Integrity Action Plan includes priority measures such as increased automation, stronger supervision and accountability, improved audit trails and traceability, clear segregation of duties, regular staff rotation, targeted training, and tighter controls in officer-stakeholder interactions. These measures are expected to significantly enhance transparency and efficiency within the Customs Service.
To ensure the successful rollout of the new framework, Adeniyi activated the ICRAM Steering Committee. The committee will coordinate the implementation and monitor progress across the Service. The Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of the Strategic Research and Policy Department, Nafi’u Isyaku, led senior officers in presenting the documents.
The implementation of the corruption-risk mapping framework is part of the Nigeria Customs Service's efforts to enhance its integrity and service delivery. By providing officers with practical tools to identify and address vulnerabilities, the Service aims to improve public trust and confidence. The framework is also expected to support the Service's goal of increasing revenue generation.
With the signing of the anti-corruption pact, the Nigeria Customs Service has taken a significant step towards ensuring transparency and accountability in its operations. The Service will continue to work with international partners to strengthen its anti-corruption efforts and improve its overall performance. The rollout of the framework is expected to have a positive impact on the country's trade and economic activities.
Key points
- The Nigeria Customs Service has implemented a new corruption-risk mapping framework to enhance transparency and accountability across its operations.
- The framework was developed in collaboration with the World Customs Organisation and partner Customs administrations.
- The pilot phase of the framework covered 66 processes across seven commands and units, producing an Integrity Action Plan with 101 action items and 295 sub-action items.
