# Nigeria Customs Service institutional reforms

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/nigeria-customs-service-institutional-reforms
> Updated: 2026-08-24T17:48:03.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has focused on institutional reforms involving communication strategies and administrative transitions.

In late July 2026, Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi addressed a public relations conference in Port Harcourt, calling for a shift toward a “proactive, research-driven, intelligence-led approach” to communication. He emphasized the need to use digital media and artificial intelligence to professionally communicate reforms and seizure operations to build public trust.

By late August 2026, the service implemented leadership changes at the Lilypond Export Command, with Deputy Comptroller Olusola O. Salako succeeding the retired Samuel Olusanya Ariyibi as Acting Customs Area Controller. Additionally, the NCS reaffirmed its humanitarian commitments, noting the use of expedited clearance procedures for relief materials and the expansion of corporate social responsibility initiatives to support disaster-affected communities.

In a move to strengthen its anti-corruption framework, the NCS partnered with the World Customs Organization (WCO) and UK International Development in late August 2026. This collaboration included a workshop focused on corruption risk analysis, risk mapping, and the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Comptroller-General Adeniyi stated that the initiative aims to “identify systemic vulnerabilities rather than assign blame.” The assessment targeted areas such as regulatory procedures, clearance processes, enforcement, procurement, and human resource management, with the objective of enhancing transparency and accountability through technology and process simplification.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-24: Nigeria Customs partners WCO and UK to tackle corruption

The Nigeria Customs Service, the WCO, and UK International Development are collaborating on corruption risk mapping and new standard operating procedures to improve institutional integrity.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-customs-service-announces-leadership-change-and-humanitarian-commitment

### 2026-07-27: Nigeria Customs Service Calls for Strategic Communication Overhaul at Port Harcourt Conference

Nigeria Customs Service leader Adewale Adeniyi urged PR officers at a Port Harcourt conference to adopt strategic, digital‑focused communication to bolster reforms and public trust.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-customs-service-calls-for-strategic-communication-overhaul-at-port-harcourt-conference

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Cite as: Nigeria Customs Service institutional reforms. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/nigeria-customs-service-institutional-reforms