By Harriet Tornguvan -Abuja
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) marked the 2025 International Customs Day on Monday, January 27, with a ceremony at the Customs House in Abuja. The event celebrated the Service's contributions to trade facilitation, border security, and economic development under the theme, “Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security, and Prosperity.”
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, applauded the NCS for its record-breaking revenue collection of ₦6.1 trillion in 2024. This achievement surpassed the target by 20.2% and represented a remarkable 90.4% increase compared to the previous year.
He attributed this milestone to strategic reforms, innovative processes, and the adoption of advanced technologies such as the indigenous B'Odogwu customs clearance platform, which has processed transactions worth billions of naira.
The custom Boss highlighted trade facilitation initiatives, including the Advanced Ruling System and the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, which have reduced clearance delays and disputes, contributing to a 66.9% reduction in cargo clearance time for certified AEO companies.
The CGC noted that the Service's success in tackling global risks, including anti-money laundering, drug trafficking, and wildlife protection.
He stated that 2024, the NCS seized narcotics worth billions of naira, intercepted illegal wildlife shipments valued at ₦5.93 billion, and deployed geo-spatial integration and enhanced risk assessment protocols to strengthen border security.
“Our trade facilitation efforts managed imports valued at ₦60.29 trillion and exports worth ₦136.65 trillion, while strategically granting ₦1.68 trillion in concessions to promote industrial growth.
Adeniyi added, reaffirming the NCS's commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's economic agenda.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, commended the NCS for its innovation and adaptability in addressing evolving trade and security challenges.
"The Armed Forces will continue to support the NCS in promoting national security and prosperity.
The Secretary-General Ian Sanders of the World Customs Organization (WCO), praised global customs administrations for advancing trade facilitation, security, and sustainability.
He urged members to transform commitments into measurable actions and emphasised the importance of modernisation, data-driven operations, and public-private cooperation in achieving the WCO objectives.
Assistant Comptroller-General Dera Nnadi, in charge of Strategic Research and Policy, noted the alignment of the WCO theme with the NCS’s focus on collaboration, consolidation, and innovation.
The event attracted senior Customs officers, stakeholders, and representatives from other security agencies, showcasing the NCS’s resolve to strengthen its operations and contributions to Nigeria’s economic development.
