The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) today marked International Customs Day 2025 at its Corporate Headquarters in Abuja, joining the global customs community to reflect on achievements, reaffirm commitments, and set strategic goals for the year ahead.
Delivering remarks at the event, Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, underscored the importance of the annual celebration, traditionally observed on January 26th.
He noted that this year’s theme, “Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security, and Prosperity,” aligns with the NCS’s mission of facilitating legitimate trade, safeguarding national borders, and fostering economic growth.
The Comptroller-General highlighted remarkable milestones achieved by the Service, including:
Record Revenue Collection: The NCS collected an unprecedented ₦6.1 trillion in 2024, exceeding its target by 20.2% and marking a 90.4% year-over-year increase.
Trade Facilitation: The Service managed imports valued at ₦60.29 trillion and exports of ₦136.65 trillion, while providing ₦1.68 trillion in concessions to stimulate economic growth.
Modernized Processes: The introduction of the B’Odogwu customs clearance platform has streamlined operations, processing billions in revenue during its pilot phase. The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program also reduced cargo clearance times by 66.9%, achieving an average release time of 43 hour
Mr. Adeniyi highlighted the Service’s strides in combating illicit trade and safeguarding national security. Key efforts included:
Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-terrorism Financing: Vigilant measures against bulk cash smuggling and trade-based money laundering.
Drug Trafficking: 105 seizures of narcotics and illicit drugs in 2024.
Environmental Protection: Crackdowns on wildlife trafficking and hazardous waste smuggling, with 76 seizures valued at ₦5.93 billion.
To bolster these efforts, the NCS has invested in advanced technology, including geo-spatial tools, sophisticated scanning systems, and data-driven risk assessment protocols.
Looking ahead, Mr. Adeniyi reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to aligning its operations with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policy direction and global best practices. Key initiatives for 2025 include:
The nationwide deployment of trade modernization projects.
Full implementation of the AEO program.
Establishing the Nigeria Customs Service University for Trade and Technology to enhance capacity building.
“The support of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Olawale Edun, remains instrumental to our success,” Mr. Adeniyi stated.
As the NCS renews its pledge to excellence in customs administration, the Comptroller-General emphasized the collective mission to forge a more secure and prosperous Nigeria through efficient service delivery.