Nigeria Customs: Launches 2026 Integrity Perception Survey

• The Nigeria Customs Service has launched the 2026 Customs Integrity Perception Survey to assess corruption, transparency, and integrity within its operations.
• Approved by Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi, the survey is a collaboration with the World Customs Organisation and runs until October 9, 2026.
• Both NCS officers and external stakeholders, including importers and agents, will participate anonymously through separate online platforms.
• The Service has generated 5,000 one-time passwords for stakeholders to ensure broad participation and gather candid feedback.
• The initiative aims to strengthen integrity mechanisms, improve operational processes, and support continuous institutional improvement within the NCS.

The overall credibility and utility of the entire exercise are directly contingent upon the quality and sincerity of the responses received.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has launched a comprehensive nationwide initiative, the Nigeria Customs 2026 Integrity Perception Survey, designed to thoroughly assess the prevailing perceptions and direct experiences of both its personnel and external stakeholders regarding issues of corruption, transparency, and overall integrity within the organization. This significant undertaking, which received the explicit approval of Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi, underscores a renewed commitment to fostering a more ethical operational environment. The survey is a collaborative effort with the World Customs Organisation (WCO), conducted under the auspices of its Anti-Corruption and Integrity Promotion Programme, signaling a global standard for this domestic reform.

Commencing on Monday, September 28, the extensive data collection phase for this critical survey is slated to continue until October 9, 2026. The primary objective articulated by the Service is to gather unvarnished feedback from all participants, focusing specifically on matters of integrity and anti-corruption. This feedback is crucial for pinpointing specific operational areas that are in need of substantial improvement, thereby directly informing future policy and procedural adjustments. The initiative represents a proactive step by the NCS to enhance its internal mechanisms and external reputation.

To ensure the integrity and effectiveness of this NCS corruption perception survey, distinct participation pathways have been established for internal staff and external parties. Officers and men within the Service are directed to utilize a dedicated online platform for submitting their responses. Concurrently, eligible external stakeholders will access a separate digital portal, requiring a unique, one-time password (OTP) for entry. This dual-platform approach aims to streamline the data collection process while maintaining the confidentiality essential for encouraging candid responses.

A crucial element emphasized by the NCS is the complete anonymity of the survey, a measure designed to encourage participants to provide honest and unfiltered feedback based on their personal experiences and perceptions. The Service has explicitly stated that the overall credibility and utility of the entire exercise are directly contingent upon the quality and sincerity of the responses received. To facilitate broad participation, 5,000 OTPs have been specifically generated for the stakeholder component. These passwords are being meticulously managed and distributed through the Public Relations Units located at the NCS Headquarters, various Zonal Offices, and Area Commands, with Command PROs tasked with ensuring their proper dissemination to eligible individuals.

The scope of external engagement for this Nigeria Customs stakeholder feedback initiative is broad, encompassing a diverse array of entities directly involved in customs operations. Targeted participants include licensed customs agents, importers, exporters, operators of bonded warehouses and terminals, shipping lines, airline operators, free trade zone operators, excise traders, and transporters. This comprehensive outreach ensures that a wide spectrum of perspectives on Nigerian customs compliance integrity is captured, providing a holistic view of the challenges and opportunities for improvement. The directive to newsmen regarding the survey originated from the Customs Federal Operations Unit, Zone “B” in Kaduna, a region that covers Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Kwara states.

The overarching strategic objective behind the Nigeria Customs 2026 Integrity Perception Survey extends beyond mere data collection; it is fundamentally about fostering continuous institutional improvement within the NCS. By gaining a deeper understanding of the perceptions, experiences, and views held by both its workforce and external partners regarding integrity, transparency, and anti-corruption, the Service aims to proactively address systemic issues. This direct feedback mechanism is intended to bolster existing integrity mechanisms and refine operational processes, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency and trustworthiness of customs operations across the nation.

This collaborative effort with the World Customs Organisation under its Anti-Corruption and Integrity Promotion Programme signals a concerted drive towards aligning Nigerian customs practices with international best standards for World Customs Organisation Nigeria integrity. The commitment from Comptroller-General Adeniyi to this extensive survey highlights a significant focus on improving Nigerian customs compliance integrity, which is vital for facilitating legitimate trade and attracting foreign investment. The insights gleaned from this exercise are expected to serve as a foundational blueprint for implementing targeted reforms that will strengthen the Service's operational framework and reinforce public confidence in its functions.

This survey presents a direct opportunity for legal counsel to advise clients who are customs stakeholders (importers, agents, etc.) to participate and provide feedback, potentially influencing future customs policies and operational integrity. It also signals an increased focus on anti-corruption within the NCS, which may lead to stricter enforcement or new compliance expectations for businesses operating in Nigeria.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspaper