The Federal Government has reaffirmed its strong support for ongoing reforms in the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), commending the Service for its enhanced border vigilance, rising revenue performance and expanding role in national security and trade facilitation.
The Honourable Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, gave the assurance on Monday, 26 January 2026, at the 2026 International Customs Day celebration held at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja.
Uzoka-Anite described the NCS as a strategic institution operating at the intersection of revenue mobilisation, border security and trade facilitation, noting that its performance is critical to the success of the Federal Government’s economic agenda.
“The Federal Government recognises the Nigeria Customs Service as a key partner in the implementation of fiscal, monetary and structural reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” she said, stressing that effective border management remains vital to economic stability and growth.
She commended officers and men of the Service for maintaining professionalism amid rising public and economic expectations, adding that Customs has demonstrated that revenue assurance, trade facilitation and border security can be pursued simultaneously through integrity, data-driven decision-making and strong leadership.
The Minister assured stakeholders that the Ministry of Finance would continue to provide policy guidance and institutional support to strengthen Customs capacity, enhance transparency and modernise operations across ports and border formations nationwide.
In his remarks, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed that the Service generated a total revenue of ₦7.281 trillion in 2025, surpassing its approved annual target of ₦6.584 trillion.
According to him, the achievement represents significant year-on-year growth driven by disciplined enforcement, improved compliance, process automation and sustained engagement with the trading community.
Beyond revenue, CGC Adeniyi said the Service intensified intelligence-led operations to protect society, recording thousands of seizures of prohibited and harmful items, including narcotics, illicit pharmaceuticals, arms and ammunition, wildlife products and substandard consumer goods.
“These interventions were aimed at safeguarding public health, protecting the environment and strengthening national security, while ensuring that legitimate trade was not hindered,” he stated.
He reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to balancing trade facilitation with effective control, noting that lawful trade must flow seamlessly without compromising security or revenue.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Customs, Honourable Leke Abejide, called for stronger recognition of the NCS within Nigeria’s security architecture and pledged continued legislative backing for reforms that enhance the Service’s welfare, capacity and operational efficiency.
Similarly, the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, praised the NCS for its role in facilitating trade and securing the nation’s borders, describing the Service as a vital partner in Nigeria’s economic transformation and non-oil revenue expansion drive.
She emphasised the need for deeper inter-agency collaboration, stressing that trade facilitation and national security must advance together to deliver sustainable economic outcomes.
Leave a Reply