By Helen Udo, Outlook Media ABUJA.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has released its first quarter performance report for 2025, showcasing major strides in revenue generation, anti-smuggling operations, and trade facilitation under the leadership of Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
Speaking at a press briefing on April 22, 2025, at the Service’s Corporate Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi,
emphasized that the impressive performance is the result of tireless work by customs officers nationwide and the impact of ongoing reforms championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and supervised by the Honorable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun.
Record-Breaking Revenue Collection
The NCS collected a total of ₦1.75 trillion in the first quarter of 2025, surpassing its quarterly target of ₦1.645 trillion by ₦106.5 billion, representing 106.47% performance. This marks a remarkable 29.96% increase compared to Q1 2024’s collection of ₦1.35 trillion.
A breakdown shows January’s ₦647.88 billion led with 65.77% year-on-year growth, while February and March recorded ₦540.1 billion and ₦563.5 billion respectively, both exceeding targets and continuing the growth trend.
Anti-Smuggling Operations Intensify
Anti-smuggling efforts yielded 298 seizures valued at ₦7.7 billion—up 78.41% from Q4 2024, though a 19.7% decline from Q1 2024, indicating improved compliance due to increased stakeholder engagement. The seizures included:
135,474 bags of rice (₦939.3 million),
65,819 litres of petroleum products (₦43.3 million),
22 narcotic cases (₦730.7 million),
Wildlife products (₦5.65 billion),
Textiles, retreaded tires, and pharmaceuticals worth hundreds of millions.
This underscores the Service’s commitment to combating smuggling, protecting endangered species, and enforcing health and safety regulations.
Trade Volumes on the Rise
The Customs processed 327,928 import declarations (SGDs), up 5.28% from Q1 2024, with import mass and value increasing by 40.14% and 26.72% respectively. While export transactions fell to 8,153 SGDs, the volume surged to 5.03 billion kg, a 348% jump from Q1 2024, maintaining ₦21.5 trillion in CIF value—an indicator of Nigeria’s growing bulk commodity export trade.
Total trade handled in Q1 2025 stood at ₦36.31 trillion, affirming Nigeria’s active role in international trade despite global economic headwinds.
Reforms, Innovation, and Community Impact
Among the key initiatives implemented:
Expansion of B’Odogwu platform to more customs formations, enhancing digital clearance operations.
Launch of the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) Programme on February 14, providing expedited clearance and fewer inspections for compliant businesses.
Roll-out of “Customs Cares” CSR Programme on March 20, delivering educational materials to 2,000 students, solar power and CCTV to schools, and healthcare to 1,000 community members. The initiative is now active across all six geopolitical zones.
Support for food security through duty exemptions on key food imports such as maize, rice, and sorghum, aligning with federal initiatives to tackle rising food prices.
In conclusion, CGC Adeniyi reaffirmed the Service’s dedication to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement. He noted that while challenges remain, the Service’s data-driven enforcement, technological advancements, and stakeholder collaboration will ensure sustained progress in securing the nation’s borders and economy.
“Every figure represents the sweat and dedication of our officers across land, air, and sea. We remain resolute in our duty to serve the nation with integrity,” he said.
