The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to ongoing reforms in the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as the Service recorded a historic revenue performance of over N7.2 trillion in 2025, surpassing its annual target of N6.584 trillion.
The Honourable Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, made this known on Monday, 26 January 2026, at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja, during the celebration of the 2026 International Customs Day. She described the NCS as a critical institution at the intersection of revenue mobilisation, national security and trade facilitation.
Uzoka-Anite commended officers and men of the Service for sustaining professionalism despite rising public and economic expectations. She noted that the Federal Government recognises the NCS as a strategic partner in implementing fiscal, monetary and structural reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Efficient border management remains central to economic stability and growth,” the Minister said, added that revenue assurance, trade facilitation and border security can be effectively pursued when institutions are guided by integrity, data-driven decision-making and strong leadership.
She assured stakeholders of continued policy direction and institutional support from the Federal Ministry of Finance to strengthen Customs capacity, improve transparency and modernise operations across ports and border formations nationwide.
In his remarks, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed that the Service generated N7.281 trillion in 2025, exceeding its approved target. He said the achievement reflects the impact of disciplined enforcement, improved compliance, process automation and sustained engagement with the trading community.
According to him, the NCS also intensified intelligence-led operations, resulting in thousands of seizures of prohibited and harmful goods, including narcotics, illicit pharmaceuticals, arms, ammunition, wildlife products and substandard consumer items.
“These interventions were aimed at safeguarding public health, protecting the environment and strengthening national security, while ensuring that legitimate trade is not hindered,” Adeniyi stated.
He reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to balancing trade facilitation with effective control, ensuring seamless lawful trade without compromising security or revenue.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Customs, Honourable Leke Abejide, called for greater recognition of the NCS within Nigeria’s security architecture. He pledged continued legislative support for reforms that enhance the welfare, capacity and operational efficiency of the Service.
“Anything that improves the welfare, capacity and operational efficiency of the Nigeria Customs Service has my full support,” he said.
Similarly, the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, commended the NCS for its role in facilitating trade and securing Nigeria’s borders. She described the Service as a key partner in Nigeria’s economic transformation and non-oil revenue expansion drive.
Oduwole emphasised that efficient Customs operations are vital to improving Nigeria’s competitiveness, attracting investment and supporting industrial growth. She also called for deeper inter-agency collaboration to ensure that trade facilitation and national security advance together.
The 2026 International Customs Day celebration provided a platform for stakeholders to review achievements, strengthen partnerships and reaffirm commitments towards building a more efficient, transparent and responsive Nigeria Customs Service.
