NCS Reaffirms Commitment

NCS Reaffirms Commitment to Transparency as Stakeholders Unveil 2025 Integrity Index Framework

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on 25 May 2025 reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening transparency, NCS Reaffirms Commitment in accountability and institutional integrity, in line with the Federal Government’s anti-corruption agenda.

This assurance was conveyed during a high-level Stakeholders’ Meeting on Governance and Anti-Corruption Frameworks, held at the auditorium of the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja, where the 2025 Transparency and Integrity Index (TII) Methodology Handbook was officially unveiled.

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, was ably represented at the meeting by Comptroller Sanni Yahaya, the Provost Marshal of the Nigeria Customs Police Unit. His presence underscored the Service’s strong support for national reform efforts and its readiness to align operations with globally recognised governance standards.

A cross section of stakeholders during the meeting

Speaking on behalf of the CGC, Comptroller Yahaya stated: “The Nigeria Customs Service is fully committed to adopting the TII framework as a strategic tool for strengthening transparency, curbing illicit practices, and enhancing public confidence in customs operations.”

The event was attended by key government officials, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who was represented by Dr Maurice Mbaeri, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the SGF. Also present were the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dr Dasuki Arabi, and the Executive Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Victor Muruako.

In his address, Dr Mbaeri emphasised the TII’s critical role in promoting good governance, stating that it will help to improve governance for effective service delivery. He added that the methodology offers a comprehensive framework for evaluating and enhancing public sector performance.

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Now in its fifth edition, the TII serves as a standardised framework for assessing over 500 public institutions and all 36 state governments across six key governance indicators: fiscal transparency, open procurement, control of corruption, human resources and inclusion, citizen engagement, and website integrity.

The TII is anchored in both national legislation, such as the Freedom of Information Act, and international anti-corruption instruments, including the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.

As a lead agency in trade facilitation, border security and revenue generation, the NCS was identified as a key institution whose adoption of TII benchmarks would deepen NCS Reaffirms Commitment in transparency and institutional accountability.