The Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a revenue of 1.3 trillion naira in the first quarter of 2025, more than double the 600 billion naira collected during the same period in 2023.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, attributed the growth to transformative reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
A statement issued on Saturday by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, stated that Adeniyi made the revelation in an upcoming State House documentary marking the President’s second anniversary.
Adeniyi highlighted that the revenue surge emanated from improved technological deployment, enhanced port operations, tightened enforcement on revenue leakages, and a renewed culture of accountability across Customs commands.
The CG disclosed that the Service is preparing to launch the E-Customs Modernization Project, adding that a 3.2 billion dollars initiative will digitize cargo processing, surveillance, and payment systems across Nigeria’s ports and borders.
Adeniyi added that the newly launched Authorized Economic Operator Programme is now onboarding pre-vetted importers, allowing compliant businesses faster processing and reducing port congestion.
The Customs CG confirmed that the Service has intensified its anti-smuggling operations and closed long-standing revenue leakages.
He said over 64 billion naira was recovered from previously under-assessed or undervalued imports in the last nine months, and major smuggling rings at the Seme, Idiroko, Katsina, and Sokoto borders have been dismantled.
He said the new joint border patrol task forces established in coordination with the Nigerian Army, DSS, and Police have also yielded positive results.
To ease trade and reduce business costs, Adeniyi disclosed that NCS is fast-tracking the roll-out of the National Single Window, stressing that the digital portal will integrate all government agencies involved in cargo clearance.
The CG added that clearance timelines at Apapa and Tin Can Ports have already dropped from 21 days to 7–10 days for compliant importers.
The Comptroller-General said the agency 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.
Adeniyi stated that the Customs Service is also undergoing internal transformation, with over 1,800 officers trained in advanced data analytics, risk profiling, and artificial intelligence.
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