By Onu Okorie
The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service NCS Mr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has disclosed that as at 12 November 2024 the Customs has hit revenue target of N5,079,455,088,194.38 with more than a month still counting in the fiscal year.
He stated this at the opening ceremony of the Comptroller General of Customs conference 2024 in Abuja yesterday.
According to him, “this exceptional performance – projected to exceed our target by 10% – validates our partnership-driven approach to revenue
collection and trade facilitation.
“The achievement is not merely about numbers;
it demonstrates how enhanced stakeholder collaboration, improved processes,
and modernized systems can deliver tangible results for our nation’s economy.”
“Our commitment to trade facilitation has garnered significant recognition
and yielded measurable results. ”
“The Service’s leap of 33 places upward in the
Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) rankings, placing
us among the top five agencies in trade facilitation, reflects the impact of our
reform initiatives.
“This improvement goes beyond metrics – it represents real changes in how we facilitate trade across borders. We have expanded our focus
beyond traditional import operations to actively support exporters and nurture small and medium scale enterprises.”
He also explained that the AfCFTA Secretariat’s recognition of the NCS innovative approaches led to an invitation to share Nigeria’s experience at the prestigious Biashara Afrika forum in Kigali last month.
“This recognition
culminated in a historic milestone – Nigeria’s first shipment under the African
Continental Free Trade Area agreement, marking our country’s practical
commitment to continental trade integration.” He stated.
He said that the momentum of Customs modernization initiatives continues to build,
yielding immediate benefits for the stakeholders.
According to him “with your support and collaboration, we have successfully implemented several key reforms. Our
Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) scheme now has six beneficiaries in its
pilot phase, carefully selected based on stringent compliance criteria.
“The Advanced Ruling system has processed 31 requests, with 12 rulings issued –
notably, 75% of these were completed in October following our stakeholder
sensitization efforts.
“Additionally, the introduction of 24-hour cargo clearance at major ports has significantly reduced dwell time; the completion of Nigeria’s first
Time Release Study now provides us with empirical data to measure and improve
our efficiency; our enhanced risk management systems are streamlining
operations; and the deployment of non-intrusive inspection equipment is
accelerating cargo examination while maintaining robust controls.”
“In fulfilling our enforcement mandate, we have achieved unprecedented
success in protecting both our citizens and economy. The scale of our intervention
is reflected in seizures valued at NGN 28.1 billion and counting in 2024 alone.
These seizures span critical areas of national concern – from wildlife items and
arms and ammunition to narcotics and pharmaceutical products.”
“An important moment in our enforcement strategy was the declaration of a state of emergency at our major ports, which led to the interception of 48 containers of illicit pharmaceutical items and narcotics, significantly disrupting the flow of potentially harmful products. Through strategic operations, we continue to intercept and seize prohibited items that pose direct threats to public health and safety.”
“Our enforcement activities have been particularly impactful in addressing
items that could worsen our current economic challenges. A standout example is
Operation Whirlwind, launched in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). This joint initiative to combat petroleum
product smuggling demonstrates how inter-agency cooperation can effectively
protect our national resources and economic stability. The success of these
operations underscores a crucial lesson: when agencies work together with shared
purpose, we multiply our effectiveness in safeguarding national interests.”
“In the spirit of transparency, we must acknowledge the challenges that have tested our resolve this year. A primary concern has been the misconception of our role amid monetary policy changes, where some stakeholders viewed our actions ss trade-restrictive rather than recognizing our enhanced commitment to trade
facilitation. Additionally, we continue to grapple with widespread non- compliance among the larger population of traders who, though numerous, Contribute relatively smaller portions to our trade volumes, values, and revenue.”
“These external challenges have required us to intensify our stakeholder engagement and compliance initiatives. A significant internal challenge we must address transparently is the
unprecedented rate of leadership transitions within our Service. The statistics tell
a compelling story: we saw 60% of our management team exit in 2022, 36% in
2023, and this year, we will experience a 76% change in our management
composition.”
“With projections indicating another 40% of our management staff
retiring in 2024, we recognize the urgent need for strategic intervention. In
response, we have launched an ambitious Human Resource Development Plan
that addresses both immediate and long-term needs.”
“This includes accelerated
career progression opportunities for deserving officers, ensuring that talent and
dedication are appropriately rewarded. Most significantly, we are making a
historic investment in human capital infrastructure through the establishment of
a Customs University – a testament to our commitment to building a knowledge-
driven service. These initiatives, aligned with the World Customs Organization’s
focus on youth leadership development, complement our comprehensive talent
management program that identifies and prepares promising officers for
leadership roles, ensuring the Service’s continued stability and effectiveness.”
This period of transition, while challenging, presents us with unique
opportunities to reshape our future. Looking ahead to 2025, we have crafted
ambitious yet attainable goals that build on our current momentum. We aim to
dramatically reduce physical inspection rates through enhanced risk management
systems, fully deploy our e-customs infrastructure, and expand our Authorized
Economic Operator program. Our focus extends to strengthening regional
integration through improved border cooperation and deepening stakeholder
engagement through regular consultative forums.
These objectives are not just operational targets; they are our vision for a
modern customs administration that effectively balances trade facilitation,
revenue collection, and security. The achievement of these goals, particularly
during this period of leadership transition, will require even stronger partnerships
with all stakeholders – from government agencies to private sector operators.
our conference theme – “Nigeria
Customs Service Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose” – is
particularly relevant at this juncture. As we reflect on our successes and
challenges, we are increasingly convinced that no single agency can effectively
meet today’s customs challenges alone.
The intricate nature of international trade,
coupled with our internal transformation, demands innovative partnerships and
collaborative approaches.
The sessions ahead promise rich discussions on revenue collection, trade
facilitation, partnerships, and compliance. Your insights and experiences will be crucial in refining our strategies for the coming year, particularly as we develop
our next generation of customs leaders.
I must express profound gratitude to His Excellency, the President, for his
support of our modernization initiatives. To our partners – both traditional and
new – your collaboration has been instrumental in our achievements despite the
challenges we’ve faced.
To the hardworking officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service, particularly those who have served and those preparing to take
up new leadership roles, your dedication continues to drive our success.
Our pledge was comprehensive and ambitious: modernizing our processes
through a one-stop solution for cargo alerts, revolutionizing our ICT
infrastructure, streamlining examination procedures, and embracing automation
for enhanced efficiency. We committed to reimagining our free trade zone
operations, elevating cargo integrity standards, and expanding our scanning
capabilities. Above all, we promised to usher in a new era of customs operations
– one built on transparency, efficiency, and genuine collaboration with our
partners.
He argued that the successful implementation of the measures, and indeed their
expansion beyond initial commitments, has been possible through a powerful
coalition of support: the visionary leadership of President Bola Tinubu; the strategic guidance of the Honourable Minister of
Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Chairman of the Nigeria
Customs Service Board, Mr. Wale Edun; the commitment of the Nigeria Customs
Service Management team and our dedicated officers and men; and the
constructive engagement of our stakeholders, many of whom are here today.”
“Together, we have created a more business-friendly trading environment that aligns with President Tinubu’s economic transformation agenda while strengthening our capacity to protect Nigerian citizens from illicit trade.”
“In pursuing these objectives, we expanded the frontiers of our engagement
both within and beyond Nigeria’s borders. This past year has seen us not only
consolidating existing partnerships but also forging new alliances crucial to our
mission. We have deliberately repositioned the Nigeria Customs Service brand,
emphasizing our commitment to trade facilitation and demonstrating a more
nuanced application of our authority in executing our statutory responsibilities.
Through extensive stakeholder enlightenment programs, we have opened
windows into our operations, fostering better understanding of our procedures
and requirements.”
