The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has reiterated the Service’s commitment to safeguarding society while promoting efficient and transparent trade, as Nigeria joined the global community to mark the 2026 World Customs Day.
Adeniyi made this known on Monday at the International Customs Day celebration and the official launch of the Nigeria Time Release Study (TRS), held at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja Continental Hotel.
The event, which attracted top government officials, development partners, private sector operators, and senior Customs officers, was held under the World Customs Organization (WCO) theme: “Customs Protecting Society Through Vigilance and Commitment.”
In his remarks, the Comptroller-General explained that the responsibility of Customs extends beyond revenue generation and routine enforcement, stressing that the Service plays a critical role in protecting public health, national security, and the environment.
He noted that Customs officers regularly intercept narcotics, counterfeit medicines, arms, hazardous materials, and endangered wildlife products, many of which pose serious threats to citizens if allowed into the country.
Reflecting on the Service’s achievements in 2025, Adeniyi disclosed that officers disrupted several criminal supply chains across Nigeria, including the interception of 16 containers of prohibited goods worth over ₦10 billion at Apapa Port and the seizure of over 1,600 illegally trafficked exotic birds at various airports.
According to him, the Nigeria Customs Service recorded more than 2,500 seizures nationwide in 2025, with an aggregate value exceeding ₦59 billion, covering narcotics, arms and ammunition, counterfeit pharmaceuticals, petroleum products, vehicles, and substandard consumer goods.“These interventions prevented addiction, unsafe treatment, violent crime, environmental degradation, and other avoidable tragedies,” he said.
The Comptroller-General emphasized that while vigilance remained essential, Customs must also ensure the smooth flow of legitimate trade. He described the launch of the Time Release Study as a major milestone in advancing evidence-based reforms and improving port efficiency.
He explained that the study, conducted at Tin Can Island Port, revealed that while examination processes were relatively efficient, delays were often caused by fragmented scheduling, manual documentation, and weak coordination among stakeholders.
“Our challenge is not that we cannot move goods fast, but that goods are not allowed to move fast,” Adeniyi stated.
He added that the study analyzed over 600 cargo declarations, providing accurate data on clearance timelines and helping the Service identify major bottlenecks in port operations.
Adeniyi announced that the Time Release Study would be institutionalized as a regular diagnostic tool to promote continuous improvement across Nigeria’s trade gateways.
On revenue performance, he revealed that the Service generated ₦7.281 trillion in 2025, surpassing its ₦6.584 trillion target by ₦697 billion, representing over 10 percent growth. He also noted a 19 percent increase compared to the ₦6.1 trillion collected in 2024.
He attributed the achievement to improved compliance, digitalisation, better data usage, and disciplined enforcement, rather than placing undue burden on compliant traders.
Looking ahead, the Comptroller-General outlined three strategic priorities: strengthening intelligence-led and technology-driven enforcement, implementing procedural reforms to reduce clearance times, and deepening partnerships with government agencies, the private sector, and international bodies.
He stressed that Customs cannot function effectively in isolation and must collaborate closely with terminal operators, shipping companies, financial institutions, truckers, and port authorities.
In his closing remarks, Adeniyi thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Honourable Ministers present at the event, the World Customs Organization, and the Government of the United Kingdom for their support of the Time Release Study programme.
He also commended officers of the Nigeria Customs Service for their dedication, professionalism, and resilience, especially those working in challenging environments.
Adeniyi urged stakeholders to embrace vigilance and commitment as long-term principles, noting that security and economic prosperity are interconnected.
“Let us work together to make Customs more vigilant, more committed, more transparent, and more efficient, for the benefit of Nigeria,” he said.
