The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has restated its unwavering commitment to entrenching transparency, accountability, and institutional integrity within its operations, aligning firmly with the Federal Government’s anti-corruption stance. This reaffirmation came during a high-level Stakeholders’ Meeting on Governance and Anti-Corruption Frameworks, which took place on 25 May 2025 at the auditorium of the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja.
The event marked the official unveiling of the 2025 Transparency and Integrity Index (TII) Methodology Handbook, a key document that outlines the criteria and indicators for assessing the performance of over 500 public institutions and all 36 state governments. The TII, now in its fifth edition, is designed to serve as a performance benchmark built on six core governance pillars: fiscal transparency, open procurement, anti-corruption controls, inclusive human resource practices, citizen engagement, and website integrity.
Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the gathering was Comptroller Sanni Yahaya, the Provost Marshal of the Nigeria Customs Police Unit. His attendance underscored the Service’s active support for national reform initiatives and its readiness to align with global best practices in public sector governance.
Delivering a message on behalf of the CGC, Comptroller Yahaya affirmed the Customs Service’s readiness to embrace the Transparency and Integrity Index as a strategic framework to reinforce operational integrity, eliminate corrupt practices, and restore public trust in customs procedures. He noted that this move is part of broader institutional reforms that position the NCS not only as a revenue-generating agency but also as a model for transparent service delivery.
Also in attendance at the event was the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who was represented by Dr Maurice Mbaeri, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the SGF. Dr Mbaeri lauded the launch of the updated TII framework, describing it as a pivotal tool for driving governance reform and ensuring measurable accountability across public institutions.
The forum also featured remarks from Dr Dasuki Arabi, Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), and Victor Muruako, Executive Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission. Both officials emphasised the Index’s foundational role in shaping transparent institutions and ensuring effective public sector performance in line with national and international obligations.
Anchored in laws such as the Freedom of Information Act and guided by international instruments like the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, the Transparency and Integrity Index stands as a critical benchmark in evaluating governance effectiveness. Its application to institutions like the NCS is expected to promote greater openness in trade facilitation, border management, and revenue administration.
As the Customs Service takes deliberate steps to integrate the TII methodology into its internal processes, stakeholders believe the move will significantly enhance Nigeria’s standing in governance metrics while fostering an environment of accountability that benefits both the public and the business community.
