Customs Reforms Built on Systems, Not Figures — CGC Adeniyi Tells Senate, Seeks Stronger Legislative Backing


As Customs surpasses revenue targets, CGC says technology, transparency and the Customs Act 2023 are transforming Nigeria's trade administration.


The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has declared that the Service's impressive revenue performance is the product of deliberate institutional reforms and technology-driven systems rather than favourable economic conditions, urging the Senate Committee on Customs to strengthen legislative support for the ongoing modernisation of the Service.

Speaking at the opening of a two-day retreat for members of the Senate Committee on Customs in Abuja on Wednesday, themed "Legislative Oversight in the Context of Nigeria Customs Service Modernisation and Reforms," Adeniyi said effective oversight in a modern Customs administration must move beyond scrutinising individual transactions to evaluating the systems that drive efficiency, transparency and accountability.

Welcoming members of the Senate Committee, led by its Chairman, Senator Jibrin Isah, the Customs boss described the retreat as a strategic platform to deepen understanding between the legislature and the Service beyond routine budget defence and oversight hearings.

According to him, meaningful legislative oversight is strengthened when lawmakers fully understand the operational realities, reforms and technological transformation taking place within the Nigeria Customs Service.


Highlighting the Service's performance, Adeniyi disclosed that the NCS generated N7.277 trillion in 2025, exceeding its revenue target by 10.24 per cent, while N3.35 trillion had already been collected between January and May 2026.

He, however, cautioned against attributing the growth solely to economic factors, stressing that the true measure of success lies in sustainable reforms that improve Customs operations.

"Our revenue growth rests on stronger systems, not favourable arithmetic," he said, adding that the retreat was designed to allow lawmakers examine those reforms firsthand.

The Comptroller-General also noted that Nigeria's emergence as Chair of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council reflects global recognition of the country's commitment to Customs modernisation and institutional reforms.

Explaining the essence of the reforms, Adeniyi said the Service is replacing manual processes and individual discretion with automated, data-driven systems that promote consistency, transparency and accountability.



He described the deployment of the B'Odogwu Trade Modernisation Platform as a landmark initiative that creates a fully electronic Customs environment where every transaction, intervention and decision is digitally traceable.

According to him, automation reduces opportunities for abuse, improves cargo clearance and enhances public confidence in Customs operations.

Adeniyi further credited the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 as the legal foundation that has made many of the reforms possible, including electronic processing, advance rulings, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme and a sustainable funding framework for continued investment.

He commended the National Assembly for enacting the legislation, saying lawmakers had not only provided oversight but also created the legal environment necessary for Customs transformation.

The Customs boss challenged the Senate Committee to embrace a more strategic approach to oversight by focusing on system performance, risk management, valuation databases, cargo release timelines and the effectiveness of policy waivers instead of isolated operational incidents.

He also called for sustained legislative support to shield ongoing reforms from undue interference, warning that automation often faces resistance because it eliminates opportunities for discretionary influence.

While acknowledging that some ports and officers are still adapting to the new technology, Adeniyi assured lawmakers that the direction of reform is irreversible.

He reaffirmed the Service's commitment to building a modern Customs administration governed by transparent rules, efficient technology and institutional integrity rather than personal relationships.


The two-day retreat features presentations by senior Customs officers and resource persons on trade modernisation, legislative oversight, political support for reforms and the implementation of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, with the aim of strengthening collaboration between the National Assembly and the Nigeria Customs Service in advancing Nigeria's trade facilitation and revenue objectives.

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