Business
ASYCUDA Operations: NCS PH Command Takes Charge
As the train the trainer exercise embarked upon by the SGS service provider begins to yield result, the officers of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Area One Command, Port Harcourt, have taken over total operations of the electronics customs machines, otherwise known as the ASYCUDA plus plus.
It was gathered that officers that were trained initially by the SGS officials have in turn trained other officers who are now handling operations of the ASYCUDA machines.
Speaking in a chat with The Tide business in his office in Port Harcourt, the Public Relations Officer of the Area One Command, Mr. D.A. Jack, said that the SGS officers have completely hands-off from the operations of the machines and have allowed officers of the Customs to be fully in charge of the entire operations.
In the training aspect, he said that, the already trained officers are now responsible for the retraining of new operators, adding that the only job that the SGS does now as experts and service provider is on the repairs when the machines are bad, and that they will continue in this repair and maintenance, even when their contract is ended.
Mr. Jack further explained that another programme which the service provider is embarking upon now is the training of officers on the radiation safety that is associated with the ASYCUDA machines operation.
To this effect, he stated that, the company will in this November embark on the training, as circular to that effect as already dispatched within the Customs formations the SGS covers.
On how the officers of the command were able to cope with the mastery of the operation, given the fact that the ASYCUDA was commissioned in June this year, the command image maker explained that the success was through the commitment of officers to duties, as well as the encouragement given by the present Area One boss; Comptroller Austin Warikoru.
Jack said the present area comptroller is a man of integrity, who has proved himself in places he had served, adding that, he has translated same traits to the officers under him.
The PRO posited that ASYCUDA operations has many units, such as the manifest, data capture, invoicing and release, and that each officer specializes or is trained on a specific unit, while the technical supervisor who is in charge of all the units has knowledge of all the other units.
On why there is always delay in the process of cargo clearing, which is occasioned by delay in form “M”, Mr. Jack explained that the Customs are not responsible for the delay in form “M”, but expressed hope that bankers and importers will improve in the quick submission of form “M” if the implementation of on-line transaction is properly implemented by the Central Bank.
Meanwhile, more than 1,000 officers of the NCS have been promoted to the next grade level. Circular from the Customs headquarters, made known to The Tide has it that middle cadre officers between level seven and 12 were promoted to the next level.
Corlins Walter
Edun made the call while speaking at the 2025 Fellowship Investiture of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in Lagos, where he reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to sustaining ongoing reforms and expanding access to finance as key drivers of economic growth beyond four per cent.
“We all know that monetary policy under Cardoso has stabilised the financial system in a most commendable way. Of course, it is a team effort, and those eye-watering interest rates have to be paid by the fiscal side. But the fight against inflation is one we all have to participate in,” he said.
The minister stressed the need for banks to broaden credit access and finance innovation-driven enterprises that can create jobs for young Nigerians.
“The finance and banking industry has more work to do because we must finance their ideas, deepen the capital and credit markets down to SMEs. They should not have to go to Silicon Valley,” he said.
The minister who described the private sector as the engine of growth, said the government’s reform agenda aims to create an enabling environment where businesses can thrive, access funding, and contribute meaningfully to job creation.
The facility, known as the Nigeria Actions for Investment and Jobs Acceleration (P512892), is a Development Policy Financing (DPF) operation scheduled for World Bank Board consideration on December 16, 2025.
According to the Bank’s concept note , the financing would comprise $500m in International Development Association (IDA) credit and $500m in International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) loan.
If approved, it would be the second-largest single loan Nigeria has received from the World Bank under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, following the $1.5 billion facility granted in June 2024 under the Reforms for Economic Stabilisation to Enable Transformation (RESET) initiative.
The World Bank said the new programme aims to support Nigeria’s shift from short-term macroeconomic stabilisation to sustainable, private sector–led growth.
“The proposed Development Policy Financing (DPF) supports Nigeria’s pivot from stabilization to inclusive growth and job creation. Structured as a two-tranche standalone operation of US$1.0 billion (US$500 million IDA credit and US$500 million IBRD loan), it seeks to catalyse private sector–led investment by expanding access to credit, deepening capital markets and digital services, easing inflationary pressures, and promoting export diversification,” the document read.
The document further stated that Nigeria’s private sector credit-to-GDP ratio stood at only 21.3 per cent in 2024, significantly below that of emerging-market peers, while capital markets remain shallow, with sovereign securities dominating the bond market.
To address these weaknesses, the DPF will support the implementation of the Investment and Securities Act 2025, operationalisation of credit-enhancement facilities, and introduction of a comprehensive Central Bank of Nigeria rulebook to strengthen risk-based regulation and consumer protection.
The operation also includes measures to deepen digital inclusion through the passage of the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill 2025, which will establish a legal framework for electronic transactions, authentication services, and digital records.
Beyond the financial and digital sectors, the programme targets reforms to lower production and living costs by tackling Nigeria’s restrictive trade regime. High tariffs and import bans have long driven up consumer prices and constrained competitiveness, particularly for manufacturers and farmers.
Under the proposed reforms, Nigeria would adopt AfCFTA tariff concessions, rationalise import restrictions, and simplify agricultural seed certification to increase the supply of high-quality varieties for maize, rice, and soybeans. The World Bank projects that these measures will help reduce food inflation, attract private investment, and enhance export potential.
The operation is part of a broader World Bank FY26 package that includes three complementary projects—Fostering Inclusive Finance for MSMEs (FINCLUDE), Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth (BRIDGE), and Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value-Chains for Growth (AGROW)—all focused on expanding access to finance, strengthening institutions, and mobilising private capital.