Tag: customs

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted $1,154,900 and SR 135,900 undeclared foreign currency at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).

National public relations officer, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada disclosed this in a press statement.

The statement noted that the seizure was made recently during a routine baggage check on an inbound passenger, Hauwa Ibrahim Abdullahi, who arrived on Saudi Airline Flight No. SV401 from Saudi Arabia.

The statement reads in part: “The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a total of $1,154,900 (One Million, One Hundred and Fifty-Four Thousand, Nine Hundred US Dollars) and SR135,900 (One Hundred and Thirty-Five Thousand, Nine Hundred Saudi Riyals) undeclared foreign currency at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA). 

“The seizure was made recently during a routine baggage check on an inbound passenger, Hauwa Ibrahim Abdullahi, who arrived on Saudi Airline Flight No. SV401 from Saudi Arabia.

“During the physical examination of the passenger’s luggage conducted by NCS Officers, the undeclared currency was discovered concealed within palm-date fruit packs locally referred to as Dabino.

 “This interception aligns with the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to enforcing financial regulations and preventing illicit financial flows across Nigeria’s borders.

“In line with established procedures, the suspect and the seized foreign currency have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and necessary legal action. Subsequently, the court convicted the defendant as charged and ordered the forfeiture of the undeclared money to the Federal Government in line with the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022. 

“The Service reiterates that all travelers must comply with Nigeria’s financial regulations, particularly the legal requirement to declare any cash or negotiable instruments exceeding the approved threshold when traveling in or out of the country. 

“The Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022 and the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1995, provide clear guidelines on currency declaration. 

Read Also: Customs unveils programme to foster national development, advance SDGs

“Non-compliance with these regulations constitutes a violation of Nigerian law and attracts severe penalties. The Service, therefore, urges the public to adhere strictly to these requirements to avoid legal consequences.

“Under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, the NCS remains resolute in its enforcement efforts to combat smugglers illicit financial transactions, and other trans-border crimes. 

“This latest seizure highlights the Service’s unwavering dedication to protecting the nation’s economic interests and ensuring compliance with financial regulations.

“The NCS will continue to collaborate with relevant government agencies and stakeholders to strengthen border security, enhance compliance with financial laws, and safeguard Nigeria’s economy. 

“Travelers and stakeholders in the financial sector are advised to remain vigilant and always adhere to lawful financial practices.” 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has established a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Unit to lead its newly launched Customs Cares programme, aimed at fostering inclusive growth and making a sustainable impact across Nigerian communities.

According to a statement by the NCS National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, the initiative goes beyond the agency’s core mandates of trade facilitation, revenue generation, and border security. 

It, however, focuses on addressing key societal challenges and advancing national development priorities in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Under the Customs Cares programme, the NCS will implement projects such as school renovations, mobile clinic deployments, food and medical aid, agricultural support, skills acquisition programmes, and youth empowerment.

The initiative marks a significant step in the NCS’s commitment to national development, leveraging its resources to uplift communities and drive positive change.

“The Service recognises the importance of collaboration in achieving this initiative and is ready to work closely with other government agencies, non-governmental organisations, private sector partners, and local communities to enhance the success of this project. The launch marks the beginning of a long-term commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, with structured programmes to be implemented nationwide.  

Read Also: Customs, smugglers clash in Ogun

“Under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, the NCS remains dedicated to integrating social responsibility into its core operations. This strategic direction aligns with the Presidential Priority Areas and reinforces the Service’s role as a socially responsible institution. Through Customs Cares, the Service will complement President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, while strengthening community engagement and staff participation in nation-building efforts,” the statement read.

The NCS further encouraged officers, stakeholders, and the general public to embrace the Customs – Cares initiative as a collective effort to drive positive change. 

“By working together, the Service aims to create sustainable solutions that uplift communities and improve livelihoods. As the programme unfolds, the NCS will continue to collaborate with relevant partners to expand its reach and maximise its impact across the country,” Customs added. 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) took a giant step in Lagos on Monday towards modernisation of its operations at the nation’s sea port by engaging stakeholders on the deployment of Automated Transit Process (ATP), at the Apapa command.

This groundbreaking initiative, the service said, aims to improve the movement of goods across Nigeria’s borders, leveraging cutting-edge technology to reduce clearance times, minimize cargo diversion risks, and enhance efficiency in the supply chain.

Speaking at the forum, the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who was represented by ACG Orbih, emphasised the importance of the technological upgrade, stating it “is a strategic shift designed to position Nigeria at the forefront of global trade efficiency, security, and transparency.

 Adeniyi acknowledged the valuable contributions of all Stakeholders in the sector, ranging from the bonded warehouse representatives to terminal operators, shipping lines, transport, and badge operators.

According to him: “Your dedication and expertise are vital to the success of our collective efforts in modernizing Nigeria Customs operations. We have come together today to discuss a transformative milestone that is set to revolutionise the way we operate – The Automated Transit Process.

“This is not just a technological upgrade; it is a strategic shift designed to position Nigeria at the forefront of global trade efficiency, security, and transparency,” he stated.

Read Also: Ogun Customs intercepts N279.5m contraband

To him, the new process is designed to improve the movement of goods across Nigeria’s borders by leveraging state-of-the-art technology. “Our goal is simple: to reduce the time and complexity involved in customs clearance, minimize the risks of cargo diversion, and ultimately improve the efficiency of our supply chain,” Adeniyi said.

The key objectives of the new initiative include the following:

Speeding up customs clearance: By automating transit processes, we can reduce bottlenecks, shorten clearance times, and provide faster access to goods. This means less waiting time at ports and terminals, which benefits importers, exporters, and everyone in the logistics chain.

Reducing the risk of cargo diversion and improving tracking:  With real-time tracking and data transparency, the risk of cargo being diverted or lost will be significantly minimized. We can ensure that every shipment is tracked accurately from point A to point B, boosting confidence among stakeholders.

Increasing transparency and accountability: The new system offers greater visibility into every step of the customs process, which means there will be fewer opportunities for corruption or errors. This will foster trust between customs and our partners, ensuring compliance with best practices and global standards.

Promoting international best practices: “By embracing automation, we will not only enhance local operations but also align with global standards. This will facilitate smoother trade relationships with our international partners and increase Nigeria’s attractiveness as a trade destination.

The benefits of the Automated Transit Process, the CGC said, “Are far-reaching, including but not limited to increased efficiency, reduced operational costs, improved revenue collection, enhanced security and reduced risks; the system will help combat smuggling and illicit trade by providing real-time insights into the movement of goods. This makes it easier for us to identify irregularities, enhance border security, and safeguard national interests.

“Furthermore, the Automated Transit Process will strengthen accountability and transparency by removing manual processes and introducing automated checks, we ensure a level of transparency that will be beneficial to all parties involved. Importers, exporters, and logistics companies will be able to track their shipments in real-time, eliminating uncertainties and promoting trust,” he explained.

To ensure a smooth transition, the ACG re-emphasised the importance of collective actions to achieve a common goal, continuous dialogue, training, and support.

This collective effort, Adeniyi said, would help make the automated transit process a success, positioning Nigeria as a key player in global trade while maintaining an efficient, transparent, and accountable environment for all stakeholders.

..as CGC engages NSA on strategic collaboration

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is ramping up efforts to deploy advanced technology to strengthen border security, intelligence gathering, and enforcement operations.

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, reaffirmed this commitment during a courtesy visit to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, on Wednesday.

Adeniyi emphasized the critical role of technology in modern border management, particularly in combating smuggling, trafficking, and other cross-border crimes.

He highlighted the NCS’s adoption of Geospatial technology as a key component of its surveillance strategy, aligning with global best practices while addressing Nigeria’s unique border security challenges.

“Technology remains the key to effective border management in today’s rapidly evolving security landscape. The Nigeria Customs Service is committed to deploying Geospatial technology and other innovative tools to enhance our surveillance, intelligence gathering, and enforcement capabilities. These efforts are designed to align with international best practices while addressing Nigeria’s unique border security challenges,” the CGC stated.  

He further explained that these technology-driven measures would not only help curb illicit activities but also facilitate legitimate cross-border trade, ensuring a more efficient and transparent system.  

Responding to the Adeniyi’s remarks, Ribadu, commended the Service for its proactive approach, recognising the critical role of technological advancements in national security and trade facilitation.  

“The Customs Service has demonstrated a commendable commitment to modernisation and efficiency in securing our borders. Integrating advanced technology into border management is a step in the right direction and aligns perfectly with our broader national security objectives. We are confident that these innovations will enhance border control operations while ensuring that legitimate trade is not hindered,” the NSA remarked.  

The discussions also reinforced the need for stronger inter-agency collaboration in addressing security threats and ensuring national stability even as Ribadu assured Adeniyi of continued support for Customs’ modernisation drive, stressing the importance of intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement strategies to bolster Nigeria’s border security framework.

Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), carrying out anti-smuggling activities across international borderlines in Adamawa and Taraba states, have seized a total of 29,825 litres of petrol allegedly intended to be smuggled out of the country.

The seizures were made within the last three weeks, according to the Adamawa/Taraba Area Controller of the NCS, Garba Bashir.

The petrol, packed in 1,149 25-litre Jerry cans and four 220-litre drums, was seized along with three tinted cars, one of them fitted with a concealed drum in which some of the petrol was loaded.

Garba Bashir, who called a news briefing Wednesday on the seizures, indicated that the seized petrol consignments were packed with intent for smuggling into the adjacent Republic of Cameroon.

Read Also: Customs seizes N274m smuggled petrol

He mentioned other items seized within the time in view as 11 bales of second-hand clothing, eight 200-litre drums and 35 25-litre Jerry cans of methylene chloride, which comes by the street name of suck & die.

He gave the aggregate duty paid value of the seized items as N51, 947,500.

Addressing newsmen at the press briefing in his office at the Adamawa/Taraba Area Command headquarters of the NCS in Yola, Bashir said the seizures were made through sheer resolve to stop smugglers from sabotaging legitimate fuel supply activities within the country.

“Remember, in our last press briefing here in Yola, I promised that illegitimate marketers would not have fresh air until they forsake economic sabotage and embrace genuine business,” he told the newsmen.

On revenue generation generally, Bashir said the Adamawa/Taraba Area Command surpassed its target in 2024, generating N173,609,941 against the N132,000,000 targeted for that year.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that its newly introduced Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme has significantly boosted trade value among participating companies.

The six companies involved in the pilot scheme increased their collective trade from NGN 185.8 billion in 2023 to NGN 563.8 billion in 2024. 

Speaking at the official launch of the AEO programme in Lagos, Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, highlighted the initiative’s impact on revenue generation, which surged from NGN 18.4 billion in 2023 to NGN 51.1 billion in 2024. 

The AEO programme, designed to enhance trade facilitation and compliance with global supply chain security standards, will now be expanded to include companies in key industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, and logistics. 

Adeniyi assured stakeholders that the AEO registration portal will open on February 17 for eligible companies, urging compliant businesses to apply and benefit from the initiative.

Speaking on the impacts of the scheme on operational efficiency, Adeniyi said, “We set an ambitious target to reduce clearance time from 168 hours to 48 hours. By December 31st, 2024, our AEO-certified companies were achieving an average release time of 43 hours – surpassing our target by 5 hours.

This, he said, “Represents a remarkable 66.9% reduction in cargo clearance time compared to the pre-AEO status of 5 days and significantly outperforms the 7-day clearance period required for regular Economic Operators (EOS).”

Read Also: First direct ship from China arrives Lagos port in 27 days

The key benefits of the AEO programme, outlined by Adeniyi, include accelerated Customs clearance processes; substantial reduction in physical inspections; priority treatment in Customs processes; enhanced predictability in supply chain operations; and measurable cost efficiencies.

He pointed out that the pilot companies achieved cost savings exceeding N100 million within a quarter.

According to him: “The true measure of this partnership’s success is beyond the metrics, it is in the quality of relationships we are building. One compelling example is how our AEO partners have embraced the principle of self-regulation. Recently, one of our pilot beneficiaries demonstrated exceptional integrity by voluntarily disclosing an underpayment of duty amounting to several millions of naira. This level of trust and transparency where partners self-audit and bring oversights to our attention – exemplifies the essence of the AEO programme,” Adeniyi said.

He said through these successes, Nigeria is positioning itself as a reliable, predictable, and competitive trading partner, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of achieving a $1 trillion economy by 2030.

“The AEO programme strategically complements the President’s 8-Point Agenda by supporting food security through faster clearance of agricultural inputs and machinery; contributing to economic growth through trade facilitation; creating jobs through expanded business opportunities; improving access to capital by reducing operational costs for businesses; and fighting corruption through enhanced transparency in customs processes.

“Furthermore, it reinforces the administration’s commitment to boosting non-oil exports, strengthening agricultural value chains, and improving the manufacturing sector’s competitiveness. This programme also supports the government’s focus on technological advancement and digital transformation of government services, while contributing to the Presidential initiative on Customs modernization,” Adeniyi said.

At the event was the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu who was represented by Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade & Investment, Folashade Kaosarat Ambrose,  the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, and the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers Council, Pius Akutah

Others are Director General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Charles Odii, President of the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dele Kelvin Oye, Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Princess Zahrah Mustapha, all of them said they were happy that the AEO programme has the potential to reduce bottlenecks, facilitate trade and meet international standard.