Customs probe corruption perception, begins integrity survey

The Nigeria Customs Service has commenced a nationwide survey to gauge the perceptions and experiences of its officers and stakeholders on corruption, transparency and integrity within the Service.

The 2026 Customs Integrity Perception Survey, approved by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, is being conducted in collaboration with the World Customs Organisation under its Anti-Corruption and Integrity Promotion Programme.

The exercise, which commenced on Monday, September 28, will run until October 9, 2026.

According to the Service, the survey is aimed at obtaining candid feedback from officers and stakeholders on integrity and anti-corruption issues, as well as identifying areas requiring improvement in its operations.

A directive to Customs Public Relations Officers across the commands stated that the exercise would provide the Service with “a better understanding of the perceptions, experiences and views” of officers and stakeholders on integrity, transparency and anti-corruption within the NCS.

It added that the survey was “an important exercise” designed to support the Service’s efforts to strengthen its integrity mechanisms and improve operational processes.

The directive, issued to newsmen on Monday by the Customs Federal Operations Unit, Zone “B”, Kaduna, added, “The objective is to obtain genuine feedback that can contribute to strengthening integrity mechanisms, improving operational processes and supporting the Service’s continuous institutional improvement.”

The zone comprises Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi and Kwara states.

The Service emphasised that the survey was anonymous, urging officers and men to participate actively and provide honest responses based on their experiences.

“The survey is anonymous, and officers and men are therefore encouraged to participate actively and provide candid responses based on their experiences and perceptions,” the directive stated.

It further urged officers to “provide honest and candid responses”, stressing that the credibility of the exercise depended largely on the quality of the feedback received.

The NCS said officers and men would participate through a dedicated online survey platform, while eligible stakeholders would access a separate platform using one-time passwords provided through the Customs Public Relations Units.

On stakeholder participation, the Service said, “Eligible stakeholders will participate through the designated stakeholder survey link.”

It explained that stakeholders would be required to access the platform, proceed to the survey section, enter the OTP provided by the Command PRO and complete the questionnaire within the stipulated period.

The Service disclosed that 5,000 OTPs had been generated for the stakeholder component of the exercise.

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“Designated quantities of the OTPs will be made available through the Public Relations Unit at Headquarters, Zonal Offices and Area Commands for onward distribution to eligible stakeholders,” it stated.

Command PROs were consequently directed to ensure that the OTPs were properly managed and distributed to eligible participants.

The directive stated, “Command PROs are therefore expected to ensure that the OTPs allocated to their respective Commands are properly managed and distributed to eligible stakeholders who have been mobilised to participate in the survey.”

The stakeholders targeted include licensed customs agents, importers, exporters, bonded warehouse and terminal operators, shipping lines and airline operators, free trade zone operators, excise traders and transporters.

The Service directed Command PROs to work closely with Customs Area Controllers and relevant operational units to ensure effective mobilisation during the survey period.

It said, “Command PROs are required to work closely with their respective Customs Area Controllers and relevant operational units to ensure effective mobilisation throughout the survey period.”

The PROs were also directed to utilise established communication channels and stakeholder engagement platforms to sensitise participants about the exercise.

“Particular emphasis should be placed on informing stakeholders that the survey is anonymous and intended to obtain their genuine perceptions and experiences regarding integrity and anti-corruption within the Service,” the directive stated.

The Service further described the role of the Command PROs as “critical to the success of this exercise”, charging them to sensitise officers and stakeholders, share the appropriate survey links, distribute OTPs and encourage eligible participants to complete the exercise.

The PROs were also instructed to remind officers and stakeholders of the October 9 closing date and liaise with Customs Area Controllers and relevant units to maximise participation.

Describing the survey as a “Service-wide integrity and institutional improvement initiative”, the NCS said broad participation would help ensure that the findings reflected the experiences of officers and stakeholders across its various operational environments.

“The quality and breadth of participation will help ensure that the feedback generated reflects the experiences and perceptions of officers and stakeholders across the various operational environments of the Nigeria Customs Service,” it stated.

The Service added that the outcome of the exercise would contribute to improving its operations and strengthening public confidence.

It stated, “A strong level of participation across Commands will contribute to generating valuable feedback for the continuous improvement of NCS operations, strengthening of integrity mechanisms and reinforcement of public confidence in the Service.”