The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has announced that the service generated an unprecedented revenue of N1.3 trillion in the first quarter of 2025, attributing this remarkable achievement to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's reform initiatives.
According to a statement released on Saturday by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, this Q1 2025 revenue represents more than double the N600 billion collected during the same period in 2023, highlighting significant growth under the current administration's Renewed Hope Agenda.
"We collected N1.3 trillion in Q1 2025 alone. This is not due to higher import volumes. Imports have dropped due to foreign exchange constraints. What has changed is efficiency, transparency, and enforcement," the Comptroller General explained.
E-Customs Modernisation Project
The Customs Service is preparing to launch the E-Customs Modernisation Project, a $3.2 billion initiative aimed at digitising cargo processing, surveillance, and payment systems across Nigeria's ports and borders.
"We're laying the foundation to move from a manual, paper-based system to a fully digital service. The E-Customs Project is central to our future. Once fully deployed, we project it will add $250 billion in cumulative revenue over 20 years," Adeniyi stated.
Enhanced Anti-Smuggling Operations
The Customs CG confirmed that the service has intensified its anti-smuggling operations and closed long-standing revenue leakages. Over N64 billion has been recovered from previously under-assessed or undervalued imports in the last nine months.
Major smuggling rings at the Seme, Idiroko, Katsina, and Sokoto borders have been dismantled, with new joint border patrol task forces established in coordination with the Nigerian Army, DSS, and Police yielding positive results.
"We're no longer just chasing smugglers in the bush. We're using data, surveillance drones, and port intelligence to act in real-time. Once systemic leakages are now being plugged," Adeniyi said.
Improved Clearance Processes
The Comptroller General highlighted improvements in cargo clearance processes, stating that clearance timelines at Apapa and Tin Can Ports have already dropped from 21 days to 7–10 days for compliant importers.
"Right now, you deal with up to 15 agencies manually. With the Single Window, you'll do it all online, in one place. This will slash clearance time and costs," he explained.
Promoting Exports
The Customs Service has introduced fast-track lanes for agro-exports and is working with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to streamline outbound cargo processes in line with the government's push for non-oil exports.
"We're promoting exports aggressively. Last year, Nigeria exported over ₦340 billion worth of solid minerals and agro commodities through formal channels, up by 38 percent. We're targeting even more in 2025," Adeniyi said.
It should be noted that in April 2025, the Customs Service had announced achieving N1.75 trillion in revenue for Q1 2025, indicating some discrepancy in the reported figures that may require clarification from official sources.
