By Ayomide Otitoju
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded a historic revenue haul of ₦1.3 trillion in the first quarter of 2025, more than double the ₦600 billion generated during the same period in 2023, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fiscal history.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, attributed the dramatic increase to wide-ranging institutional reforms aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The achievement was disclosed in a yet-to-be-released State House documentary marking the second anniversary of the Tinubu administration.
“This surge is not due to an increase in import volumes—those have actually declined due to foreign exchange challenges,” Adeniyi said. “What has changed is our operational efficiency, transparency, and enforcement strategy.”
Key drivers behind the revenue growth include technological upgrades, improved port operations, strengthened anti-smuggling efforts, and a renewed culture of accountability across Customs formations nationwide.
Adeniyi revealed that the long-awaited E-Customs Modernisation Project is set for rollout. The $3.2 billion initiative aims to fully digitise cargo processing, surveillance, and payment systems across Nigeria’s ports and borders.
“We’re laying the foundation for a complete digital transformation. Once operational, the E-Customs platform is projected to deliver over $250 billion in cumulative revenue over the next 20 years,” he said.
As part of broader trade facilitation reforms, Adeniyi said the NCS has launched the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme to fast-track cargo clearance for pre-vetted, compliant importers.
“It’s a trust-based system. If you’re compliant, you get expedited treatment—just like in modern customs systems around the world,” he noted.
The Customs boss also highlighted intensified efforts to curb smuggling and recover lost revenues. Over ₦64 billion has been recovered in the past nine months from previously under-assessed or undervalued imports, while major smuggling syndicates operating at Seme, Idiroko, Katsina, and Sokoto borders have been dismantled.
New joint border patrols involving the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), and Police have also been instrumental in tightening border security.
“We’re no longer chasing smugglers blindly. With data analytics, drones, and port intelligence, we’re acting in real-time to shut down systemic leakages,” Adeniyi stated.
To further reduce business costs and ease cargo clearance, the Customs Service is accelerating the rollout of the National Single Window—a digital portal that will integrate all government agencies involved in cargo processing.
“Currently, traders deal with up to 15 agencies manually. The Single Window will bring everything online in one place, drastically reducing both clearance times and costs,” he explained. Clearance timelines at Apapa and Tin Can ports have already dropped from 21 days to as little as 7–10 days for compliant importers, he added.
On the export front, the NCS has introduced fast-track lanes for agricultural goods and is collaborating with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to streamline outbound logistics. In 2024, Nigeria exported over ₦340 billion worth of solid minerals and agro commodities through formal channels, a 38% increase year-on-year.
“We are aggressively promoting non-oil exports. Our systems are being adjusted to support the government’s diversification drive,” he said.
Internally, the agency is undergoing structural transformation with over 1,800 personnel trained in advanced data analytics, risk profiling, and artificial intelligence.
“Customs is evolving into an intelligence-driven agency. Physical inspections are giving way to smarter, tech-enabled systems, and our workforce is being retooled to meet global benchmarks,” Adeniyi said.
He concluded with a clear message: “The President has charged us to block leakages, facilitate trade, and raise revenue without inflicting pain on Nigerians. That is exactly what we are doing—and the results speak for themselves.”
