The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, says the agency has achieved record-breaking revenue of N1.3 trillion in the first quarter of 2025, crediting the feat to reform measures implemented under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking in a State House documentary marking the President’s second anniversary in office, Adeniyi explained that the significant increase in revenue did not come from a surge in imports. Instead, he said it stemmed from enhanced efficiency, better enforcement, and transparent operations across Customs activities.
“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 noted.
This revenue figure more than doubles the N600 billion recorded during the same period in 2023, according to a statement released by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga.
The Customs boss also revealed plans to roll out the E-Customs Modernisation Project, a digital initiative estimated at $3.2 billion. This project aims to upgrade Nigeria’s port and border operations through full digitisation of cargo handling, surveillance, and payment systems.
“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,” he stated.
In addition, Adeniyi said the Customs Service has strengthened its anti-smuggling operations, leading to the recovery of N64 billion in previously underpaid import duties. He said smuggling syndicates at major border areas like Seme, Idiroko, Katsina, and Sokoto had been dismantled.
To support enforcement, joint task forces now include personnel from the Army, Department of State Services (DSS), and Police. Technology also plays a growing role. “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 noted.
He also said customs clearance timelines at Apapa and Tin Can Ports have dropped from 21 days to as few as 7–10 days for compliant traders, thanks to an online Single Window platform that simplifies engagement with up to 15 regulatory agencies.
On exports, the Customs CG said the agency has opened fast-track lanes for agricultural goods and partnered with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council to ease cargo processing. “We’re promoting exports aggressively. Last year, Nigeria exported over ₦340 billion worth of solid minerals and agro commodities through formal channels, up by 38 percent. We’re targeting even more in 2025,” he said.
The NCS had earlier reported an even higher revenue total of N1.75 trillion for the first quarter of 2025, signaling a strong start to the year under Tinubu’s policy reforms.
