Lagos: The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recorded a revenue of ?1.3 trillion in the first quarter of 2025, more than double the ?600 billion collected during the same period in 2023. Mr Bashir Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of Customs, disclosed this in an upcoming State House documentary to mark President Bola Tinubu’s second anniversary.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Adeniyi attributed the revenue growth to transformative reforms under Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The surge in revenue was attributed to improved technological deployment and enhanced port operations, along with tightened enforcement on revenue leakages.
The customs boss also cited a renewed culture of accountability across Customs commands, as stated by Mr Bayo Onanuga, the president’s spokesman. Adeniyi remarked that the increase was not due to higher import volumes, which had dropped due to foreign exchange constraints, but rather because of improved efficiency, transparency, and enforcement.
He stated that the Service was preparing to launch the E-Customs Modernisation Project. This $3.2 billion initiative aims to digitise cargo processing, surveillance, and payment systems across Nigeria’s ports and borders. Adeniyi projected that once fully deployed, the project would add $250 billion in cumulative revenue over 20 years.
According to Adeniyi, the newly launched Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme is now onboarding pre-vetted importers, allowing compliant businesses faster processing and reducing port congestion. The customs C-G confirmed that the service had intensified its anti-smuggling operations and had closed long-standing revenue leakages.
He reported that over ?64 billion was recovered from previously under-assessed or undervalued imports in the past nine months, and major smuggling rings at the Seme, Idiroko, Katsina, and Sokoto borders had been dismantled. Adeniyi highlighted the positive results from the new joint border patrol task forces, established in coordination with the Nigerian Army, DSS, and Police.
To ease trade and reduce business costs, the NCS is fast-tracking the roll-out of the National Single Window, a digital portal aimed at integrating all government agencies involved in cargo clearance. This initiative is expected to significantly reduce clearance time and costs by allowing processes to be completed online.
Adeniyi added that clearance timelines at Apapa and Tin Can Ports had already dropped from 21 days to 7 to 10 days for compliant importers. The customs service has also 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.
Adeniyi stated that the customs service is undergoing internal transformation, with over 1,800 officers trained in advanced data analytics, risk profiling, and artificial intelligence. He emphasized that Customs is becoming an intelligence-led organization, aligning with global standards.
The president’s directive to block leakages, facilitate trade, and raise revenue without burdening Nigerians is being realized through these initiatives, with the results already evident, according to Adeniyi.