The Nigeria Minister of Finance, Olawale Edun has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its pivotal role in boosting the country’s economic recovery, as the Federal Government sets a ₦48 trillion expenditure target for 2025.
The Minister highlighted the Customs’ importance during the 61st quarterly board meeting of the agency held on Wednesday, December 18, at the Customs House, Maitama, Abuja.
The meeting followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presentation of the 2025 budget to the National Assembly, tagged “A Budget of Restoration.”
The budget projects ₦35 trillion in revenue, with the NCS expected to play a critical role.
Speaking further on the NCS’s performance, Edun disclosed that the agency had generated over ₦5 trillion by November 2024.
“The NCS and other revenue bodies have performed remarkably well,” he said, linking the success to reforms introduced by President Tinubu.
The Minister revealed that the government plans to secure concessionary loans, grants, and development support to fund the remaining ₦13 trillion.
Edun also noted that the board reviewed the NCS’s 2024 achievements, approving the recruitment of 3,927 officers and granting special promotions to top-performing personnel to bridge gaps and enhance trade facilitation.
“The NCS has excelled in suppressing smuggling and fostering trade, crucial for growth and job creation,” he added.
The Minister urged Customs officers to remain committed to national goals, emphasising the agency’s role in poverty reduction and economic growth.
