WCO Commends Nigeria’s Time Release Study for Advancing Trade Efficiency and Border Security

WCO Commends Nigeria’s Time Release Study for Advancing Trade Efficiency and Border Security

The Secretary-General of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), Mr. Ian Saunders, has praised Nigeria’s Time Release Study (TRS) as a practical, evidence-based reform capable of improving border efficiency, enhancing trade competitiveness along African trade corridors, and strengthening national safety.

Saunders made the commendation on Monday, January 26, 2026, during the presentation of the TRS report conducted at the Tin Can Island Port, Lagos. He noted that the study provides Nigeria with specific, objective insights into the functioning of its cargo clearance processes and identifies areas requiring targeted improvements.

According to him, the TRS—implemented with the support of the WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme—goes beyond policy formulation by translating reform objectives into measurable operational outcomes.

“The findings of this study provide Nigeria with a clear opportunity to deliver tangible improvements that will strengthen both the economy and national safety,” Saunders said.

He explained that the Time Release Study is one of the WCO’s core performance measurement tools, widely used by Customs administrations globally to improve transparency, predictability, and efficiency without undermining security.

The WCO chief emphasised that although Customs plays a central role in trade facilitation, effective implementation of TRS recommendations requires collaboration among government agencies, the private sector, and the wider trading community.

“Trade facilitation is not achieved by policy alone. It is realised through consistent and efficient practices. The Time Release Study shows what is working, what is not, and where leadership and investment are required,” he added.

Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of State for Finance, Mrs. Doris Uzoka-Anite, said the Time Release Study aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to data-driven reforms aimed at improving trade efficiency and reducing transaction costs across Nigeria’s ports and borders.

She described the TRS as a strategic policy tool that enables governments to objectively assess performance, identify bottlenecks, and strengthen transparency within the trade ecosystem.

“The Time Release Study is not merely a diagnostic exercise; it is a reform instrument that supports smarter regulation, evidence-based decision-making, and improved coordination among border agencies,” Uzoka-Anite said.

She added that efficient cargo clearance processes are critical to investor confidence and economic growth, noting that global trade competitiveness is increasingly determined by speed, certainty, and compliance.

The minister assured stakeholders of the Federal Government’s continued support for reforms that modernise border management, build institutional capacity, and deepen inter-agency collaboration.

Also speaking, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for taking the lead in addressing systemic bottlenecks and strengthening trade facilitation processes, describing the initiative as a reflection of the government’s commitment to improving efficiency across Nigeria’s trade ecosystem.

In his remarks, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the Service is institutionalising the Time Release Study as part of its broader reform agenda to enhance cargo clearance efficiency and service delivery.

Adeniyi explained that the study provides credible data on cargo dwell time, enabling Customs and partner agencies to identify procedural overlaps, eliminate delays, and streamline clearance processes.

“The Time Release Study allows us to move from assumptions to facts. It tells us exactly where time is lost and where reforms must be focused to achieve measurable improvements,” he said.

He reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade while maintaining strict compliance and security standards, noting that faster clearance must go hand in hand with effective controls.

Similarly, a representative of the United Kingdom High Commission to Nigeria commended the NCS for adopting WCO trade facilitation tools, particularly the Time Release Study, supported by an initiative of His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Providing further insights into the report, the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Strategic Research and Policy, DCG Dera Nnadi, said the findings would guide operational adjustments, policy refinement, and infrastructure planning as the Service works with stakeholders to deliver a more predictable and efficient trade environment.