ZAINAB JUNAID
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) will officially launch the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program, aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and security in the country on Friday, 14 February 2025.
The AEO program, which is an initiative of the World Customs Organization (WCO), is designed to recognize and reward compliant importers with tangible benefits.
DCG Caroline Niagwan in charge of Trade and Tariff Department, Nigeria Customs Service.
Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Tariff and Trade, DCG Caroline Niagwan and National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, AC Abdullahi Maiwada, appeared on Channels TV on Wednesday 12 February 2025, to shed light on the program’s benefits and requirements.
According to DCG Niagwan, the AEO program aims to enhance several benefits, including expedited customs clearance, simplified customs procedures, and reduced clearance costs. “It aims to enhance security of supply chain and also facilitate trade. Traders are given this status when they meet specific safety and security standards. They are known as trusted importers, compliant and reliable traders,” she said.
To participate in the program, traders must demonstrate compliance with customs and tax regulations, accurate documentation, proper record-keeping, financial solvency, and adequate security and safety standards.
Contributing, the National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, AC Maiwada highlighted the different categories of the program to include Simplified AEO and Security and Safety AEO.
He explained that the program aimed to fast track and give preferential treatment to Compliant traders.
According to him, “We have two broad categories of AEO, We have AEO simplified, because its essence is trade facilitation, which is about some elements that is, simplification, standardization, harmonization and automation of customs processes and procedures. That element of ‘Customs simplification’ gives the first category of AEO. The other category talks about security and safety”.
Notably, the Service introduced the pilot phase of the AEO program last year, marking a significant step towards enhancing trade facilitation and security in the country. With the success of the pilot phase, the NCS is now set to roll out the program officially on Friday.
The NCS encourages eligible importers and exporters to apply for the AEO program, which will enhance trade facilitation and security in Nigeria.
