Customs posts N1.3trn revenue in Q1 2025

Customs Comptroller General, Adewale Adeniyi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has generated a revenue of N1.3 trillion in the first quarter of 2025.

This is more than double the N600 billion collected during the same period in 2023.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this in an upcoming State House documentary marking President Bola Tinubu’s second anniversary.

Adeniyi attributed the growth to transformative reforms under Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Adeniyi stated that the revenue surge emanated from improved technological deployment, enhanced port operations, tightened enforcement on revenue leakages, and a renewed culture of accountability across Customs commands.

“We collected N1.3 trillion in Q1 2025 alone. This is not due to higher import volumes. Imports have dropped due to foreign exchange constraints. What has changed is efficiency, transparency, and enforcement,” the Comptroller-General was quoted as saying in a statement issued by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga on Saturday, May 24, 2025.

He disclosed that the Service is preparing to launch the E-Customs Modernisation Project, saying the $3.2 billion initiative will digitise cargo processing, surveillance, and payment systems across Nigeria’s ports and borders.

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The Customs boss stated: “We’re laying the foundation to move from a manual, paper-based system to a fully digital service.

“The E-Customs Project is central to our future. Once fully deployed, we project it will add $250 billion in cumulative revenue over 20 years.”

Adeniyi added that the newly launched Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme is now onboarding pre-vetted importers, allowing compliant businesses faster processing and reducing port congestion.

The Customs CG confirmed that the Service has intensified its anti-smuggling operations and closed long-standing revenue leakages.

He said over N64 billion was recovered from previously under-assessed or undervalued imports in the last nine months, adding that major smuggling rings at the Seme, Idiroko, Katsina, and Sokoto borders have been dismantled.

He said the new joint border patrol task forces established in coordination with the Nigerian Army, DSS, and the police have also yielded positive results.

“We’re no longer just chasing smugglers in the bush. We’re using data, surveillance drones, and port intelligence to act in real-time. Once systemic leakages are now being plugged,” Adeniyi said.

The Star