The reforms of President Tinubu push the customs revenues to N1.3 T in the first quarter of 2025, says CG Adeniyi – Thage

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recorded an unprecedented turnover of ₦ 1.3 trillion in the first quarter of 2025, more than double the ₦ 600 billion collected in the same period of 2023.

The General Customs Controller BASHIR ADENIYI BASHIRO ATENIYI has attributed this significant growth to the transformative reforms under the renewed agenda of the hope of President Bola Tinubu, as revealed in the next documentary of the State House which marks the second anniversary of the president.

Adeniyi stressed that the dealer of revenue emerged from an improvement in technological distribution, improved port operations, strengthening of the application of revenue losses and a renewed culture of responsibility through customs commands.

“We have collected ₦ 1.3 trillion in the 2025 quarter only. This is not due to the highest import volumes. Imports have decreased due to exchange constraints. What has changed is efficiency, transparency and application,” said the general controller.

He revealed that the service is preparing to launch the modernization project of e-customs. This 3.2 billion dollar initiative will type the load processing, surveillance and payment systems in the ports and boundaries of Nigeria.

“We are laying the foundations to switch from a manual system based on paper to a completely digital service. The E-Customs project is essential for our future. Once completely implemented, we project that it will add $ 250 billion in cumulative revenue for 20 years,” he said.

Adeniyi added that the program of recently launch authorized economic operator (AEO) is now on pre-controlled importers, allowing faster processing companies and reducing the congestion of the port.

“It is a question of trust and efficiency. If you comply, you get a treatment with green lane. Here are modern customs systems at a global level,” he said

The CGANA CG has confirmed that the service has intensified its anti-counterbody operations and has closed long-standing revenue losses.

He said that over ₦ 64 billion have been recovered from imports previously unrelated or underestimated in the last nine months and that the main rings of smuggling in the seed, Idiroko, Katsina and Sokoto Borders have been dismantled.

He said that the new border patrol pockets established in coordination with the Nigerian army, the DSS and the police have also produced positive results.

“We are no longer just chasing the smugglers in the bush. We are using data, surveillance and intelligence ports to act in real time. Once systemic losses are now connected,” said Adeniyi.

To facilitate trade and reduce commercial costs, Adeniyi has revealed that NCS is rapidly tracing the launch of the single national window. This digital portal will integrate all government agencies involved in the load game.

“At this moment, you are dealing with a maximum of 15 agencies manually. With the single window, you will do everything online, in a single place. This will cut the time and authorization costs,” explained the CG, adding that the authorization timing at the Apapa and Tin Can doors have already decreased from 21 days to 7-10 days for compliant importers.

The General controller said that the agency introduced rapid binary lanes for agro-agricultural exports and is working with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to simplify the loading processes out in line with the thrust of the government for non-oil exports.

“We are promoting exports aggressively. Last year, Nigeria exported over 340 billion of solid minerals and agro raw materials through formal channels, growing 38%. We are targeting even more in 2025,” he said.

He declared that the customs service is also subjected to internal transformation, with over 1,800 officials trained in analysis of advanced data, risk profiling and artificial intelligence.

“Dogana no longer concerns physical inspection. We are becoming an organization guided by intelligence and our officials are redeveloped to combine global standards,” said Adeniyi.

“The president gave us a clear directive: losses of blocks, facilitating trade and increasing the revenue without Nigerian to honor. This is what we are doing. And the results are starting to speak alone.”

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