The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a record-breaking revenue of ₦1.3 trillion for the first quarter of 2025, attributing the impressive performance to sweeping reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, revealed this in a State House documentary marking the President’s second anniversary. According to him, the unprecedented revenue marks more than a 100% increase compared to the ₦600 billion generated in Q1 2023.
“This surge is not due to increased import volumes—those have actually dropped because of forex constraints. The difference is in our improved efficiency, transparency, and enforcement,” Adeniyi stated.
The CG disclosed that the service is set to launch the $3.2 billion E-Customs Modernisation Project, a major initiative aimed at digitising cargo processing, surveillance, and payment systems across Nigeria’s seaports and borders.
“We’re transitioning from a manual, paper-based operation to a fully digital service. Once fully implemented, the E-Customs project is projected to generate an additional $250 billion in cumulative revenue over the next 20 years,” he said.
In addition to revenue growth, Customs has intensified anti-smuggling efforts and plugged long-standing revenue leakages. Over the past nine months, the service recovered more than ₦64 billion from under-assessed and undervalued imports. Key smuggling networks across the Seme, Idiroko, Katsina, and Sokoto borders have also been dismantled.
New joint border patrols, conducted in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, DSS, and Police, have significantly enhanced enforcement. “We’re now using real-time data, surveillance drones, and intelligence from ports. We’ve moved beyond chasing smugglers in the bush,” Adeniyi said.
Adeniyi also noted that the introduction of the National Single Window system is streamlining port operations. “Instead of dealing with up to 15 agencies manually, everything will now be done online in one place. Clearance time at Apapa and Tin Can ports has already dropped from 21 days to between 7 and 10 days for compliant importers,” he added.
To boost non-oil exports, the service has introduced fast-track lanes for agro-exports and is working closely with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).
“In 2024, Nigeria formally exported over ₦340 billion worth of solid minerals and agro commodities—up by 38%. We’re aiming even higher in 2025,” the Customs boss said.
The strong Q1 performance underscores the impact of structural reforms on revenue generation and trade facilitation, placing Nigeria’s Customs Service on a stronger footing for long-term growth.
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