NCS Rakes in ₦1.75 Trillion in Q1 2025, Accelerates Reforms and Trade Growth

Customs on the Rise: NCS Posts ₦1.75 Trillion Revenue, Deepens Reforms and Trade Facilitation in Q1 2025

Inside Customs: Q1 2025 Activities of the Nigeria Customs Service

By Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of Customs

Delivered on April 22, 2025, at the NCS Headquarters, Maitama, Abuja

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Introduction: Building Trust Through Transparency

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) continues its tradition of quarterly briefings to maintain transparency and build public trust. Addressing stakeholders, members of the press, and fellow officers, Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi opened by emphasizing the Service's commitment to accountability, performance, and reform.

In his words, “Every statistic represents the hard work of our officers—stopping illegal goods at our borders, enabling lawful trade, and securing national revenue. We owe it to Nigerians to share how their Customs Service is performing.”

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Revenue Performance: A Record-Breaking Start to 2025

The NCS recorded an impressive revenue collection of ₦1.75 trillion in the first quarter of 2025—106.47% of the projected benchmark and a 29.96% increase compared to Q1 2024.

January 2025: ₦647.88 billion (18.12% above target; 65.77% YoY growth)

February 2025: ₦540.11 billion (1.3% above target; 19.97% YoY growth)

March 2025: ₦563.52 billion (2.7% above target; 11.22% YoY growth)

This performance affirms the success of the Service’s reforms, anti-revenue leakage measures, and renewed operational vigor.

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Anti-Smuggling Efforts: Safeguarding Borders and Wildlife

The Service recorded 298 seizures in Q1 2025 with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦7.7 billion—a 78.41% increase over Q4 2024. While this is a 19.7% decline from Q1 2024, it reflects improved compliance due to effective deterrence.

Key seizures included:

135,474 bags of rice worth ₦939.3 million

65,819 liters of petroleum products worth ₦43.3 million

22 narcotics cases valued at ₦730.7 million

Three wildlife seizures worth a staggering ₦5.65 billion

Other notable items seized include textiles, retreaded tires, and pharmaceuticals. The NCS also emphasized its ongoing collaboration with international partners like the UNODC to combat wildlife trafficking and narcotics smuggling.

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Trade Facilitation: Balancing Security and Growth

With 327,928 import transactions processed and over ₦14.8 trillion in CIF value handled, trade facilitation remained a key focus. This marked a 5.28% rise in transaction count and a 26.72% increase in value over Q1 2024, alongside a massive 40.14% increase in import volume.

On the export front, despite fewer transactions (8,153 SGDs), Nigeria saw 5.03 billion kilograms of goods exported—a 348% increase over Q1 2024—highlighting the country’s pivot toward bulk commodity exports. Export value stood at ₦21.51 trillion, comparable to the previous year.

Major Initiatives: Reforms that Deliver

1. B’Odogwu Platform Expansion

The NCS continues the phased rollout of its indigenous clearance platform, boosting operational efficiency and stakeholder satisfaction.

2. Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) Programme

Launched in February 2025, this WCO-backed initiative rewards compliant businesses with expedited processes and fewer inspections.

3. "Customs Cares" CSR Programme

Unveiled in March, this initiative has impacted education, health, and community development across Nigeria. Highlights include:

10,000 notebooks, 2,000 school bags and 4,000 pens donated

1,000 people reached via medical outreach

Installation of solar-powered lighting and security systems in public schools

4. Food Security Support

The NCS granted duty exemptions on key food imports including maize, rice, and sorghum, contributing to 12–18% reductions in food prices. These exemptions—₦45.3 billion (maize), ₦751.6 million (rice), and ₦2.3 billion (sorghum)—are now easing pressure on Nigerian households.

Challenges: Navigating a Complex Terrain

Despite its success, the Service faced multiple challenges:

Exchange rate fluctuations—62 changes recorded in Q1 with an average of ₦1,521.59/USD—affected import valuations and predictability.

Suspension of the 4% FOB charge—temporarily disrupted operations.

14% U.S. reciprocal tariff on Nigerian exports raised concerns over future trade flow.

Persistent smuggling networks—require continuous adaptation and smarter enforcement strategies.

Looking Ahead: Vision 2025 and Beyond

The NCS aims to accelerate modernization and improve service delivery. Key priorities include:

Nationwide expansion of the B’Odogwu platform

Advanced risk management systems

Integration of emerging technologies

Ongoing human capital development

The goal: a fully modernized Customs administration that supports legitimate trade while protecting Nigeria’s borders and revenue base.

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Final Thoughts: Service, Security, Strategy

“In just one quarter,” CG Adeniyi noted, “we’ve collected ₦1.75 trillion, seized ₦7.7 billion worth of contraband, and rolled out reforms that deliver real results.”

He thanked the Federal Government, particularly President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Olawale Edun, for their continued support, and commended Customs personnel for their dedication.

To stakeholders and the public, he reaffirmed the Service’s unwavering commitment to transparency, service, and national development.