The Presidency has announced that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) generated a record-breaking ₦1.3 trillion in revenue in the first quarter of 2025, attributing the achievement to the bold economic reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under his Renewed Hope Agenda.
This was disclosed in a press statement issued on Friday, May 24, 2025, and signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga. The statement formed part of a forthcoming State House documentary marking President Tinubu’s second year in office.
According to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the revenue growth is not due to increased imports, but rather to enhanced operational efficiency, tighter enforcement, and improved technological deployment across Customs operations.
“We collected ₦1.3 trillion in Q1 2025 alone. This is not due to higher import volumes. Imports have dropped due to foreign exchange constraints. What has changed is efficiency, transparency, and enforcement,” Adeniyi stated.
He revealed that the Service is gearing up to roll out the E-Customs Modernisation Project, a $3.2 billion initiative that aims to digitise all Customs processes, including cargo processing, surveillance, and payments across Nigeria’s ports and borders.
“We’re laying the foundation to move from a manual, paper-based system to a fully digital service. The E-Customs Project is central to our future. Once fully deployed, we project it will add $250 billion in cumulative revenue over 20 years,” he said.
The Customs CG further highlighted the successful launch of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, which allows pre-vetted and compliant importers faster processing and access to green-lane clearance.
“It’s about trust and efficiency. If you’re compliant, you get green-lane treatment. This is how modern customs systems work globally,” he said.
On enforcement, the Customs Service has intensified anti-smuggling operations and plugged long-standing revenue leakages. Adeniyi disclosed that over ₦64 billion was recovered in the past nine months from under-assessed and undervalued imports.
He also reported the dismantling of major smuggling rings operating along the Seme, Idiroko, Katsina, and Sokoto borders, with the aid of joint border patrol task forces involving the Nigerian Army, DSS, and Police.
“We’re no longer just chasing smugglers in the bush. We’re using data, surveillance drones, and port intelligence to act in real time. Once systemic leakages are now being plugged,” Adeniyi affirmed.
To further ease trade and reduce business costs, the NCS is fast-tracking the implementation of the National Single Window a unified digital portal that will integrate all government agencies involved in cargo clearance.
“Right now, you deal with up to 15 agencies manually. With the Single Window, you’ll do it all online, in one place. This will slash clearance time and costs,” he explained, noting that clearance timelines at Apapa and Tin Can Ports have dropped from 21 days to 7–10 days for compliant traders.
In line with President Tinubu’s focus on non-oil exports, the Service has introduced fast-track lanes for agro-exports and is collaborating with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to streamline export procedures.
“We’re promoting exports aggressively. Last year, Nigeria exported over ₦340 billion worth of solid minerals and agro commodities through formal channels, up by 38%. We’re targeting even more in 2025,” Adeniyi stated.
He also revealed that the Service is undergoing internal transformation, with more than 1,800 officers trained in data analytics, risk profiling, and artificial intelligence, positioning the agency to become an intelligence-led organisation.
“Customs is no longer just about physical inspection. We are becoming an intelligence-led organisation, and our officers are being retrained to match global standards,” he added.
The Presidency underscored that the achievements of the Nigeria Customs Service reflect President Tinubu’s directive to block revenue leakages, ease trade, and raise government revenue without placing additional burdens on Nigerians.
“The President gave us a clear directive: block leakages, facilitate trade, and raise revenue without burdening Nigerians. That is what we are doing. And the results are beginning to speak for themselves,” the Customs CG affirmed.
