By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that it generated a record-breaking ₦1.3 trillion in revenue during the first quarter of 2025.
This figure marks more than double the ₦600 billion collected within the same period in 2023.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, attributed the significant increase to a range of reforms introduced under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
These comments were disclosed in a soon-to-be-released State House documentary commemorating the President’s second year in office.
According to Adeniyi, the improved revenue performance stemmed from the application of advanced technology, more efficient port operations, tighter control of revenue losses, and an increased emphasis on accountability within Customs operations.
“We collected ₦1.3 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,” Adeniyi said.
He revealed that the Service is nearing the launch of the E-Customs Modernisation Project.
Valued at $3.2 billion, this initiative aims to fully digitise Nigeria’s cargo processing, monitoring, and payment systems across ports and border points.
“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,” he explained.
The Comptroller-General also spoke about the recent introduction of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, which allows verified importers to enjoy expedited clearance and reduced congestion at ports.
“It’s about trust and efficiency. If you’re compliant, you get green-lane treatment. This is how modern customs systems work globally,” he stated.
In addressing smuggling and loss of revenue, Adeniyi confirmed that the Service had intensified enforcement and recovered over ₦64 billion from previously undervalued or wrongly assessed imports in the past nine months.
He added that major smuggling networks operating through Seme, Idiroko, Katsina, and Sokoto borders have been dismantled.
He noted the effectiveness of joint patrol operations conducted with the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Police.
“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.
To improve trade facilitation and reduce logistics costs, the NCS is accelerating the implementation of the National Single Window — a unified digital platform that will enable importers and exporters to complete transactions with all government agencies from one portal.
“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,” the Customs chief explained.
He noted that for compliant importers, clearance durations at Apapa and Tin Can Ports have already dropped from 21 days to between 7 and 10 days.
He added that the Service has introduced fast-track procedures for agricultural exports and is partnering with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to streamline export processes in line with the government’s non-oil export strategy.