The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) announced outstanding financial results for the first quarter of 2025 during an April 22 press briefing.
Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi revealed the service collected ₦1.75 trillion, surpassing its target by ₦106.5 billion.
This remarkable 29.96% year-on-year growth demonstrates the success of recent reforms under President Tinubu’s administration.
Finance Minister Olawale Edun’s guidance helped implement strategies that boosted compliance and reduced revenue leakage across ports.
Monthly collections showed consistent improvement throughout the quarter. January recorded ₦647.88 billion, February ₦540.1 billion, and March ₦563.52 billion – each exceeding monthly projections through enhanced operational efficiency.
Beyond revenue, customs officers intensified anti-smuggling efforts, making 298 seizures worth ₦7.7 billion. While this represents a 19.7% decrease from 2024, officials attribute the drop to improved compliance rather than reduced enforcement activity.
Rice seizures dominated operations with over 135,000 bags confiscated. Officers also intercepted substantial quantities of narcotics and endangered wildlife products, demonstrating their commitment to border security.
Trade facilitation metrics showed positive growth with 327,000 processed Single Goods Declarations. The 5.28% year-on-year increase accompanied ₦36.3 trillion in total trade value, reflecting Nigeria’s expanding international commerce.
The service launched several modernization initiatives including the expanded B’Odogwu digital clearance platform. Its new Authorized Economic Operators program rewards compliant traders while the “Customs Cares” CSR initiative supports education and healthcare projects.
However, operational challenges persist due to exchange rate fluctuations and the suspended Financial Customs Service Operation. The NCS is coordinating with the Central Bank to stabilize currency-related clearance procedures for importers.
Looking ahead, the service prioritizes continuous process automation and stakeholder engagement. Adeniyi emphasized transparency improvements and staff capacity building as key focus areas for sustaining performance gains.
The Comptroller-General commended officers for their dedication and thanked trade partners for their cooperation. These collaborative efforts have strengthened the NCS’s role in national economic development and border security.
As Nigeria’s trade volumes grow, customs operations face increasing complexity. The service remains committed to balancing revenue optimization with trade facilitation while combating illicit cross-border activities.
The first quarter results establish strong momentum for 2025 operations. With ongoing reforms and technological upgrades, the NCS aims to build on this success throughout the fiscal year.
Stakeholders anticipate these improvements will further reduce clearance times and enhance Nigeria’s business environment. The service’s performance directly supports broader government objectives for economic growth and job creation.
Industry analysts suggest maintaining this trajectory requires sustained investment in customs infrastructure. Modern scanning equipment and expanded training programs could drive additional efficiency gains in coming quarters.
The NCS’s Q1 achievements demonstrate what’s possible through reform implementation. As operational challenges are addressed, the service appears well-positioned to exceed its annual revenue targets while facilitating legitimate trade.
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