The Nigerian Customs: corruption and dwindling reputation, by Rasheed Anbali

In an effort to protect local industries and promote strategic sectors, particularly agriculture,” for smoother flow. Under President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian government implemented embargoes on certain commodities and restricted the use of foreign exchange for their importation. The directive was issued via an Executive Order in May 2017

Certain elements within the Nigerian Customs Service saw this as an opportunity to exploit. Nigeria’s customs agency has long been plagued by systemic corruption, hindering its effectiveness and tarnishing its reputation both domestically and internationally.

Recently, Premium Times revealed indictments against certain elements within the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS). According to the report, the EFCC alleged that seven officers were caught with N12 billion in proceeds of Corruption.

The Corruption within the NCS manifests in various forms, including bribery, extortion, smuggling, and collusion with criminal elements. Customs officials often exploit their positions of authority to solicit bribes from traders and smugglers in exchange for overlooking illegal activities or facilitating the passage of contraband goods.

This dastard act had impeded the Nigerian government’s efforts towards import substitution policies which aim to increase local production through subsidies, tariffs, quotas, and other barriers to trade. The directives, if allowed to work, stipulate that preference be granted to domestic manufacturers, contractors, and service providers in all government procurements. Unfortunately, those who were hellbent on making quick money within NCS and other collaborators are frustrating the directive. It has been gathered that despite products having legal backing for importation into the country, port practices continue to present major obstacles to such products. Importers report erratic application of customs regulations, lengthy clearance procedures, etc.

These illicit activities deprive the government of much-needed revenue but also undermine legitimate businesses and distort market competition. These maleficent actions have eroded public trust in government institutions, including the NCS.

The current administration needs to take a holistic approach to fight the endemic corruption ravaging the NCS. Anti-corruption laws and enforcement must be reviewed, and there must be training and capacity building for the staff in order to instill the principle of patriotism in them. Additionally, there must be incentives for people who do their jobs genuinely. The reform has to happen now to salvage the organization.

Anbali writes from Lagos