Customs Hits N5.07tn Revenue Target, Restates Commitment to Strategic Partnerships, Trade Facilitation
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that it has reached its 2024 revenue target of N5.07 trillion, collecting N5,079,455,088,194.38 with more than a month remaining in the fiscal year.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi made the disclosure on Wednesday in Abuja, during his opening remark at the 2024 Comptroller General of Customs Conference with the theme: “Nigeria Customs Service: Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose”.
According to him, the feat was achieved as a result of the introduction of a new era of customs operations built on transparency, efficiency, and genuine collaboration with partners.
His words: “A year ago, within the vibrant halls of the Lagos Continental Hotel, we made bold commitments that would reshape our engagement with stakeholders in the year 2024.
“The Continental Declaration of 2023 marked a turning point in our approach to partnership – not just a document of promises, but a blueprint for transformation. Today, I stand before you to demonstrate how those commitments have evolved into tangible achievements.
“Our pledge was comprehensive and ambitious: modernizing our processes through a one-stop solution for cargo alerts, revolutionizing our ICT infrastructure, streamlining examination procedures, and embracing automation for enhanced efficiency.
“We committed to reimagining our free trade zone operations, elevating cargo integrity standards, and expanding our scanning capabilities. Above all, we promised to usher in a new era of customs operations one built on transparency, efficiency, and genuine collaboration with our partners”.
Adeniyi explained further: “This exceptional performance projected to exceed our target by 10% validates our partnership-driven approach to revenue collection and trade facilitation.
“The achievement is not merely about numbers; it demonstrates how enhanced stakeholder collaboration, improved processes, and modernized systems can deliver tangible results for our nation’s economy”.
The CGC noted that the successful implementation of these measures, has been possible through a powerful coalition of support from President Bola Tinubu; the strategic guidance of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Chairman of the Nigeria Customs Service Board, Wale Edun; the commitment of the NCS Management team, dedicated officers and men of the service, as well as the constructive engagement of stakeholders.
Adeniyi stated that the NCS has deliberately repositioned its brand and emphasised its commitment to trade facilitation and demonstrated a more nuanced application of authority in executing its statutory responsibilities.
He added that through extensive stakeholder enlightenment programmes, the agency has opened windows into its operations, fostering better understanding of procedures and requirements.
This renewed approach to partnership, Adeniyi said has led to the strengthening of existing agreements and the establishment of new ones, all aimed at creating a more collaborative and efficient trading environment.
“Together, we have created a more business-friendly trading environment that aligns with President Tinubu’s economic transformation agenda while strengthening our capacity to protect Nigerian citizens from illicit trade.
“In pursuing these objectives, we expanded the frontiers of our engagement both within and beyond Nigeria’s borders. This past year has seen us not only consolidating existing partnerships but also forging new alliances crucial to our mission. These strategic engagements and collaborative approaches have yielded remarkable results across our core statutory responsibilities”, he added.
Speaking further, the Customs boss said its commitment to trade facilitation has garnered significant recognition and yielded measurable results, noting that it has expanded the service’s focus beyond traditional import operations to actively support exporters and nurture small and medium scale enterprises.
“The Service’s leap of 33 places upward in the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) rankings, placing us among the top five agencies in trade facilitation, reflects the impact of our reform initiatives. This improvement goes beyond metrics it represents real changes in how we facilitate trade across borders.
“The AfCFTA Secretariat’s recognition of our innovative approaches led to an invitation to share Nigeria’s experience at the prestigious Biashara Afrika forum in Kigali last month. This recognition culminated in a historic milestone Nigeria’s first shipment under the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement, marking our country’s practical commitment to continental trade integration.
“The momentum of our modernization initiatives continues to build, yielding immediate benefits for our stakeholders. With your support and collaboration, we have successfully implemented several key reforms. Our Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) scheme now has six beneficiaries in its pilot phase, carefully selected based on stringent compliance criteria.
“The Advanced Ruling system has processed 31 requests, with 12 rulings issued notably, 75% of these were completed in October following our stakeholder sensitization efforts.
“Additionally, the introduction of 24-hour cargo clearance at major ports has significantly reduced dwell time; the completion of Nigeria’s first Time Release Study now provides us with empirical data to measure and improve our efficiency; our enhanced risk management systems are streamlining operations; and the deployment of non-intrusive inspection equipment is accelerating cargo examination while maintaining robust controls”.
In the area of anti-smuggling Adeniyi enthused that the agency has achieved unprecedented success in protecting both the citizens and economy.
He highlighted that the scale of its intervention is reflected in seizures valued at N28.1 billion and counting in 2024 alone, adding that these seizures span critical areas of national concern from wildlife items and arms and ammunition to narcotics and pharmaceutical products.
The Customs boss pointed out that an important moment in its enforcement strategy was the declaration of a state of emergency at the country’s major ports, which led to the interception of 48 containers of illicit pharmaceutical items and narcotics, significantly disrupting the flow of potentially harmful products.
“Through strategic operations, we continue to intercept and seize prohibited items that pose direct threats to public health and safety.
“Our enforcement activities have been particularly impactful in addressing items that could worsen our current economic challenges. A standout example is Operation Whirlwind, launched in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
“This joint initiative to combat petroleum product smuggling demonstrates how inter-agency cooperation can effectively protect our national resources and economic stability. The success of these operations underscores a crucial lesson: when agencies work together with shared purpose, we multiply our effectiveness in safeguarding national interests”.
Commenting on challenges facing the service, Adeniyi noted that a primary concern has been the misconception of Customs’ role amid monetary policy changes, where some stakeholders viewed its actions as trade-restrictive rather than recognising the agency’s enhanced commitment to trade facilitation.
He added that Customs also continues to grapple with widespread non-compliance among the larger population of traders who, though numerous, contribute relatively smaller portions to trade volumes, values, and revenue.
On objectives for next year, he said: “Looking ahead to 2025, we have crafted ambitious yet attainable goals that build on our current momentum. We aim to dramatically reduce physical inspection rates through enhanced risk management systems, fully deploy our e-customs infrastructure, and expand our Authorized Economic Operator program.
“Our focus extends to strengthening regional integration through improved border cooperation and deepening stakeholder engagement through regular consultative forums. These objectives are not just operational targets; they are our vision for a modern customs administration that effectively balances trade facilitation, revenue collection, and security.
“The achievement of these goals, particularly during this period of leadership transition, will require even stronger partnerships with all stakeholders – from government agencies to private sector operators”.
