NCS Celebrates Int’l Customs Day with Commitment to Efficiency, Security, and Prosperity
…CGC Adeniyi Highlights Record-Breaking Achievements and Strategic Vision for 2025
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) joined the global customs community to commemorate International Customs Day 2025 at its Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.
Addressing distinguished guests, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, outlined the Service’s record-breaking achievements in revenue collection, security interventions, and modernisation efforts, while reaffirming its commitment to advancing national prosperity through efficient service delivery.
The event, held a day after the global celebration on 26 January, underscored the NCS’s alignment with the 2025 theme set by the World Customs Organization (WCO): “Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security, and Prosperity.”
In his remarks, Adeniyi highlighted the Service’s exceptional fiscal performance in 2024, which included the collection of N6.1 trillion in revenue – a 20.2% surplus over the target and a remarkable 90.4% year-on-year increase.
He noted that these accomplishments were complemented by robust trade facilitation efforts, managing imports worth N60.29 trillion and exports valued at N136.65 trillion.
The NCS also provided N1.68 trillion in concessions to stimulate economic growth and industrial development.
“Our strategic approach balances trade facilitation with stringent security measures, directly contributing to Nigeria’s economic advancement,” Adeniyi stated.
The NCS has made significant strides in modernising its processes.
Adeniyi highlighted the implementation of the Advanced Ruling System, which reduces clearance delays and disputes by providing binding decisions on classification and valuation before shipment arrival.
Additionally, the indigenous customs clearance platform, ‘B’Odogwu’, processed billions in revenue during its pilot phase, showcasing the Service’s technological advancements.
The NCS also celebrated the success of its Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, which has reduced cargo clearance time by 66.9%, achieving an average release time of 43 hours for certified companies.
The Comptroller-General emphasised the NCS’s commitment to national and global security.
He outlined key enforcement achievements in 2024, including:
Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-terrorism
Financing: Vigilance against bulk cash smuggling and trade-based money laundering.
Cultural Heritage Protection: Safeguarding artefacts from illicit trafficking, particularly from conflict zones.
Drug Trafficking: 105 narcotics seizures addressing the shift to pharmaceutical and synthetic drugs.
Environmental Protection: 76 seizures of wildlife products and hazardous materials valued at N5.93 billion.
To bolster these efforts, the NCS has integrated geo-spatial technology, deployed advanced scanning systems, and enhanced intelligence gathering and risk assessment protocols.
Looking forward, Adeniyi affirmed that the NCS’s goals align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and global best practices.
Key initiatives for 2025 include:
Nationwide trade modernisation deployment.
Comprehensive implementation of the AEO programme.
Enhanced technology-driven risk management.
Establishment of the Nigeria Customs Service University for Trade and Technology.
“These transformative initiatives will revolutionise trade facilitation and enforcement, ensuring the NCS remains at the forefront of customs administration globally,” Adeniyi declared.
The Customs boss expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, the Minister of Finance, Mr. Olawale Edun, and international partners for their unwavering support.
He urged stakeholders, officers, and men of the Service to redouble their efforts in achieving the NCS’s mission.
“As we commemorate International Customs Day, we renew our pledge to excellence in customs administration, united in our mission to forge a more secure and prosperous Nigeria,” Adeniyi concluded.
The event marked a resounding affirmation of the NCS’s commitment to delivering efficiency, security, and prosperity, setting an ambitious trajectory for the year ahead.
