The World Customs Organisation (WCO) has commenced a two-week technical training for officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Brussels, Belgium, as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s Advance Ruling system and boost capacity in Renewable Energy Classification and the Green HS initiative, in partnership with GIZ.
The programme is a benchmarking and capacity-building activity following the successful implementation of the Advance Ruling programme in Nigeria in May 2024.
Declaring the workshop open, Sigfrídur Gunnlaugsdóttir, the WCO Deputy Director for Capacity Delivery, welcomed the Nigerian delegation and reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Customs administrations striving for modernisation.
“The World Customs Organisation remains fully committed to supporting member administrations like Nigeria that are advancing their modernisation agenda,” Gunnlaugsdóttir said. “This training will not only strengthen the technical capacity of officers but also enhance predictability and transparency—two pillars that are indispensable in today’s global trade environment.”
Representing GIZ, Joshua Yari commended the WCO for hosting the programme and making its pool of experts available to guide participants.
“GIZ is proud to partner with the WCO and the Nigeria Customs Service in advancing renewable energy classification and the Green HS initiative,” Yari stated. “Our continued support for Nigeria’s Advance Ruling mechanism reflects our shared vision for economic growth that aligns with global sustainability goals.”
He emphasised that strengthening Nigeria’s capacity in these areas would boost investor confidence and position the country as a regional leader in trade facilitation and environmentally responsible customs administration.
On her part, the Team Lead for Nigeria’s Advance Ruling System, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Lauretta Utubor, described the training as timely, noting that the NCS has been receiving a growing number of requests for Advance Rulings from stakeholders.
“This training comes at a crucial time when more traders and importers are turning to the Nigeria Customs Service for Advance Rulings,” Utubor said. “It will further equip our officers to deliver quality, consistent, and transparent rulings that meet international standards, while also expanding our knowledge in renewable energy and green trade practices.”
She added that the team will also embark on benchmarking visits to the Customs administrations of Germany and the Netherlands to understudy their operations and apply the lessons to Nigeria’s system.
The training, which will run for two weeks, focuses on strengthening classification skills, improving technical decision-making, and deepening Nigeria’s readiness for a modern and efficient Advance Ruling framework that supports trade facilitation, renewable energy development, and green transition.
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