The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) commemorated International Customs Day 2025 at the Customs House in Abuja on Monday, January 27, with a grand celebration highlighting its strides in trade facilitation, border security, and economic growth.
Speaking at the event themed “Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security, and Prosperity,” Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi praised the Service for surpassing its revenue target with a record-breaking ₦6.1 trillion in 2024, which he said represented a 90.4% year-on-year increase and exceeded projections by 20.2%.
The CGC attributed the success to innovative reforms, the adoption of advanced technologies such as the B’Odogwu customs clearance platform, and strategic trade facilitation initiatives. He noted that these efforts reduced clearance delays by 66.9% for certified Authorised Economic Operators (AEOs) and enhanced transparency through the Advanced Ruling System.
On security, Adeniyi outlined the NCS’s accomplishments in combating global risks, including the interception of narcotics valued at billions of naira, the seizure of illegal wildlife shipments worth ₦5.93 billion, and the deployment of advanced geo-spatial integration to bolster border security.
“Our trade facilitation framework managed imports worth ₦60.29 trillion and exports valued at ₦136.65 trillion in 2024, while granting ₦1.68 trillion in strategic concessions to boost industrial growth,” Adeniyi said.
He reaffirmed the NCS’s dedication to supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic agenda.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who was the Special Guest of Honour, applauded the NCS for its adaptability and commitment to securing Nigeria’s borders while promoting trade efficiency. “The Armed Forces remain committed to supporting the NCS in fostering national security and prosperity,” CDS Musa stated.
World Customs Organization (WCO) Secretary-General Ian Sanders commended the NCS and global customs administrations for their commitment to security and sustainability. He encouraged members to translate their commitments into measurable results through modernisation, data-driven strategies, and stronger partnerships.
Assistant Comptroller-General Dera Nnadi, head of Strategic Research and Policy, noted that the WCO theme aligned seamlessly with the NCS’s focus on collaboration, consolidation, and innovation.
The event attracted senior Customs officials, security agency representatives, and key stakeholders, demonstrating the NCS’s unwavering commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s economic development and safeguarding national security.
