ZAINAB JUNAID
The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has announced the sum of NGN5,079,455,088,194.38 as revenue figure generated so far in the year 2024, meeting the year’s revenue target with more than a month remaining in the fiscal year.
Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi made the announcement on Wednesday, at a three day CGC conference currently ongoing at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, adding that the Service successfully attained the revenue figure on Tuesday, 12 November 2024 at exactly 13.10hrs.
Adeniyi noted that with the exceptional performance, the Service projected to exceed the year’s target by 10%.
He stated that the achievement is not merely about numbers but demonstrated how enhanced Stakeholders’ collaboration, improved processes, and modernized systems can deliver tangible results for the nation’s economy.
“We will validate our partnership-driven approach to revenue collection and trade facilitation,” he added.
Speaking on the Service commitment to trade facilitation, Adeniyi revealed that the reforms put in place to facilitate trade has garnered significant recognition and yielded measurable results.
“The Service’s leap of 33 places upward in the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) rankings, placing us among the top five agencies in trade facilitation, reflects the impact of our reform initiatives. This improvement goes beyond metrics – it represents real changes in how we facilitate trade across borders. We have expanded our focus beyond traditional import operations to actively supporting exporters and nurture small and medium scale enterprises. The AfCFTA Secretariat’s recognition of our innovative approaches led to an invitation to share Nigeria’s experience at the prestigious Biashara Afrika forum in Kigali last month. This recognition culminated in a historic milestone – Nigeria’s first shipment under the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement, marking our country’s practical commitment to continental trade integration”.
He further informed that the Service’s Modernization initiatives continues to build, yielding immediate benefits for Stakeholders.
“With your support and collaboration, we have successfully implemented several key reforms. Our Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) scheme now has six beneficiaries in its pilot phase, carefully selected based on stringent compliance criteria. The Advanced Ruling system has processed 31 requests, with 12 rulings issued – notably, 75% of these were completed in October following our stakeholder sensitization efforts.
“Additionally, the introduction of 24-hours cargo clearance at major ports has significantly reduced dwell time; the completion of Nigeria’s first Time Release Study now provides us with empirical data to measure and improve our efficiency; our enhanced risk management systems are streamlining operations; and the deployment of non-intrusive inspection equipment is accelerating cargo examination while maintaining robust controls”.
On anti-smuggling activities, the CGC stated that unprecedented successes have been achieved in protecting both the citizens and economy.
To him, “The scale of our intervention is reflected in seizures valued at NGN 28.1 billion and counting in 2024 alone. These seizures span critical areas of national concern – from wildlife items and arms and ammunition to narcotics and pharmaceutical products.
“An important moment in our enforcement strategy was the declaration of a state of emergency at our major ports, which led to the interception of 48 containers of illicit pharmaceutical items and narcotics, significantly disrupting the flow of potentially harmful products.
“Through strategic operations, we continue to intercept and seize prohibited items that pose direct threats to public health and safety. Our enforcement activities have been particularly impactful in addressing items that could worsen our current economic challenges.
“A standout example is Operation Whirlwind, launched in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
“This joint initiative to combat petroleum product smuggling demonstrates how inter-agency cooperation can effectively protect our national resources and economic stability. The success of these operations underscores a crucial lesson: when agencies work together with shared purpose, we multiply our effectiveness in safeguarding national interests,” he noted.
As the NCS wraps up 2024 with historic revenue and strengthened partnerships, CGC Adeniyi pledged to continue efforts toward trade facilitation, enforcement, and international collaboration, positioning Nigeria for a more robust economic future.
