Nigeria Customs Certifies 51 Firms Under AEO Programme, Raising Trade Compliance Standards

Nigeria Customs Service has marked a major milestone in trade facilitation with the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, certifying 51 companies for meeting rigorous international trade standards. The initiative, launched in February 2025, is reshaping how businesses engage with customs and cross-border trade in Nigeria.

Since the programme’s inception, 584 companies applied for certification before the January 31, 2026 deadline. Of these, only 154 firms passed validation, and just 51 achieved full certification, reflecting a success rate of 26%, highlighting both the programme’s strict compliance requirements and its transformative potential.

Abdullahi Maiwada, Nigeria Customs’ National Public Relations Officer, explained that 45 additional firms received provisional certification, granting them three months to close compliance gaps before reapplying. The programme demands robust documentation, financial solvency, and security practices, emphasizing the high standards for certified operators.

“The AEO programme replaces the outdated Fast-Track Scheme and offers significant benefits, including faster clearance, pre-arrival processing, and reduced inspections,” Maiwada said. Certified firms are classified under ‘AEO Simplified’ or ‘AEO Security’, with the latter providing enhanced supply-chain protection and mutual recognition with international customs administrations.

So far, no Nigerian operator has attained the AEO Security level, reflecting the programme’s stringent criteria. Industry experts acknowledge both the benefits and challenges. Sulaiman Ayokunle, a clearing agent, described AEO as “the best thing that can happen to this sector” but noted the validation process is intensive, often requiring up to eight hours on-site inspections by specialists in accounting, ICT, engineering, security, and law.

Despite the hurdles, the initiative is considered a cornerstone of Nigeria’s trade reforms, rewarding compliant importers, exporters, freight forwarders, and transport providers. The programme is particularly impactful for manufacturers importing raw materials and machinery, reducing cross-border costs and aligning Nigeria with global best practices.

Certified firms must maintain compliance, with renewals every three to five years depending on their certification type. Customs officials stressed that the AEO programme enhances Nigeria’s competitiveness, transparency, and trust in international trade, positioning the country as a reliable partner in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The certification of 51 firms represents a significant step forward for Nigeria’s trade ecosystem, demonstrating the government’s commitment to modernising customs operations and ensuring only credible operators drive the nation’s import-export economy.