The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has granted a one-month extension for companies operating under the Fast Track Scheme to transition to the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, shifting the deadline from 31 December 2025 to 31 January 2026.
This underscores Customs’ drive to strengthen supply chain security, deepen trade facilitation, and elevate compliance levels in line with international benchmarks.
In a statement, the Service urged all remaining Fast Track beneficiaries to complete their AEO registration stressing that only certified operators will continue to enjoy the facilitation privileges attached to the outgoing Fast Track Scheme. A dedicated help desk has been activated to provide guidance and technical support.
Customs described the AEO Programme as a globally recognised, compliance-driven system that rewards trusted traders with faster cargo release, reduced documentation, minimal physical checks, pre-arrival processing, and greater predictability in cross-border operations.
The full migration is backed by Sections 108–111 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and aligns with the World Customs Organisation’s SAFE Framework of Standards.
To smoothen the transition, the NCS will host a comprehensive stakeholder engagement session on Thursday, 18 December 2025, at the Lagos Continental Hotel from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The forum will feature practical demonstrations, compliance guidance, and interactive sessions with the AEO implementation team.
The Service encouraged operators to seize the extension window, participate in the sensitisation forum, and complete their migration, noting that proactive compliance will enhance supply chain integrity, business continuity, and national competitiveness.
According to the NCS, the transition to AEO reflects its broader commitment to efficient trade processes, revenue protection, and a more transparent and secure cargo clearance ecosystem that supports legitimate commerce