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  • Customs Zone A urges officers on revenue, others

    Customs Zone A urges officers on revenue, others

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Zone “A” yesterday, urged officers and men on revenue generation, trade, and intensifying anti-smuggling campaign.

    Its Coordinator, Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) Charles Orbih, who spoke during decoration of 106 officers with their new ranks, urged the officers to see their promotions as a call to greater responsibility. He underscored the need to prioritise revenue collection, trade facilitation, and anti-smuggling activities in line with the NCS’s strategic goals.

    He said: “A lot is expected of you. Your commitment to continuous learning and adaptation will significantly contribute to achieving a vision of a modernised and efficient customs service.

     Moving forward, these promotions carry the weight of great responsibilities, aligning with our core values of integrity and professionalism.”

    Orbih commended Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi for recognising and rewarding the exceptional efforts of officers who have demonstrated exemplary service. He reminded the newly decorated officers to uphold the Service’s transformative pillars: the consolidation of automation processes, enhancement of digital infrastructure, and collaboration with stakeholders and sister agencies to improve trade facilitation.

    To officers who were not promoted, Orbih offered words of encouragement, urging them to redouble their efforts in service to enhance their chances during the next promotion exercise.

    Read Also: Customs vows to penalise officers involved in promotion exams malpractice

    The newly promoted officers include 39 Comptrollers and 67 Deputy Comptrollers, who were recognised for their dedication, hard work, and proficiency in modern customs procedures.

    In a goodwill message, a Deputy Controller with the Nigerian Immigration Service, Jean Adapoyi, congratulated the officers on their promotions. Representing her coordinator, she emphasised the need for the newly promoted officers to exceed expectations in their new roles.

    The National Vice President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Segun Oduntan, also extended his congratulations, noting the importance of collaboration between Customs and stakeholders.

    “ANLCA, with over 4,000 licensed members, will continue working with Customs to help surpass their targets. Engagement with stakeholders remains critical to achieving these goals,” he stated.

    The ceremony provided a platform for the promoted officers to express their gratitude. Comptroller Aliya Shuaibu, thanked God, his mentors, parents, and family for their unwavering support. He pledged to continue upholding the values of the Service and contributing to its mandate.

    Similarly, Comptroller Wale Adenuga expressed gratitude and vowed to redouble his efforts to ensure the Service’s success.

    “This promotion is a testament to the hard work and dedication required of every officer, and I will continue to give my best,” he said.

    Akaninyene Edeminam, Muhammad Yakubu, Abdullahi Maiwada, and Abubakar Usman among others were Customs Public Relations Officers who received promotions and decorations as Deputy Comptrollers.

    The ceremony also witnessed the presence of prominent senior officers, such as the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Apapa Customs Command Comptroller, Babatunde Olomu; the CAC of Western Marine Command, Comptroller Paul Bamisaiye; and the CAC of Lilypond Customs Export Command, Comptroller Akinla Odusanya.

  • Customs to sanction officers involved in promotion exams malpractice

    Customs to sanction officers involved in promotion exams malpractice

    • Those behind infraction using ethnic, religious sentiments, says CG

    The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has said those who compromised the 2024 promotion examination will be punished.

    He said competence and not connection would determine promotions in the service under his watch.

    Adeniyi spoke during the decoration of newly appointed/promoted officers at the NCS headquarters at Maitama in Abuja.

    The NCS boss recalled that the 2024 promotion was purely on merit, using applied question to test the officers about the NCS.

    He recalled that during the examination, the management realised that the integrity of the exercise was compromised and had to cancel aspects with anomalies.

    Adeniyi insisted that the service would not allow the breach to go unpenalised.

    According to him, the culprits are using religious and ethnic sentiments to blackmail the service.

    The Customs boss said he would not allow the blackmail to deter the management’s decision to punish them in the days ahead.

    He said: “There have been attempts to compromise the integrity of the process. We had as a management to evaluate some of the parts of the exams. We cancelled some because we felt there were some anomalies.

    “We will not allow those discrepancies to slide by. As a management, we will still meet and we will be emphatic to tell those elements that the service will not condone such practices.

    “I understand that they are going all over town, bringing in some elements – religious and ethnic – to this. What is most important is that we are going to be guided by our conscience that nothing but merit will decide who gets promoted. “And any deviation from this, either because they want to compromise our process or they want to cheat during the examinations, or they want to bring in things that are alien to the rules and regulations guiding the examinations, we are not going to tolerate them and we are going to bring them to book.

    “So, those who have committed those examination malpractices, we are letting you know that the service would not condone such, and we are letting you know that your act must have and will surely have consequences in the days ahead.”

    Restating the focus of the NCS, Adeniyi said it was directed towards applied knowledge.

    Read Also: Banks raise N2.2trn from capital market in 2024

    The NCS boss explained that the promotion of officers would be solely on knowledge, adding: “It is not just enough for you to know that these are the elements of the rules of origin, you must be able to apply them. And this is the direction in which the service is going now.

    “It will be knowledge-driven, and your promotion and elevation will be based on what you know and not who you know. It is very important that we bear this in mind.”

    He said there were some officers who passed the examination that were omitted during the compilation of the results.

    But Adeniyi stressed that “there is no supplementary promotion exercise”.

    He said the affected officers would be the first on the next promotion list.

    The NCS boss told the decorated officers that their elevation was a call to higher and strategic service delivery.

    Adeniyi said they would be involved in policy making and implementation.

  • Customs vows to penalise officers involved in promotion exams malpractice

    Customs vows to penalise officers involved in promotion exams malpractice

    …says compromisers are now using ethnic, religious sentiments

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Comptroller-General, Adewale Adeniyi on Tuesday, vowed that those who compromised the 2024 promotion examination would not go unpunished.

    He insisted that only competence and not connection would determine promotion in the service under his watch.

    He made this known during the decoration of newly appointed/promoted officers at the NCS Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.

    He recalled that the 2024 promotion exercise, was purely on merit, using applied questions to test the officers about the NCS.

    Adeniyi revealed that however during the examination, the management realized that the integrity of the exercise was compromised and cancelled those ridden with anomalies.

    He insisted that the organization would not allow the breach to go unpenalized.

    According to him, the culprits are already using religious and ethnic sentiments to blackmail the service.

    Read Also: FG signs MoU with WIOCC to connect three million homes with internet services 

    He vowed not to allow that to deter the management’s decision to punish them in the days ahead.

    He said: “There have been attempts to compromise the integrity of the process. We had as a management to evaluate some of the parts of the exams.

    “We cancelled some because we felt there were some anomalies. We will not allow those discrepancies to slide by. As a management, we will still meet and we will be emphatic to tell those elements that the service will not condone such practices.

    “I understand that they are going all over town bringing in some elements, religious, ethnic to this. What is most important is that we are going to be guided by our conscience and nothing but merit will decide who gets promoted. “And any deviation from this either because they want to compromise our process or they want to cheat during the exams, or they want to bring in things that are alien to the rules and regulations guiding the exams, we are not going to tolerate them and we are going to bring them to book.

    “So those who have committed those examination malpractices, we are letting you know that the service would not condone it and we are letting you know that your act must have and will surely have consequences in the days ahead.”

    Revealing the focus of the NCS, Adeniyi said it is now directed towards applied knowledge.

    Stressing that the promotion of officer will be solely on knowledge, he said, “It is not just enough for you to know that these are the elements of the rules of origin, you must be able to apply it.

    “And this is the direction in which the service is going now.

    “It will be knowledge-driven, and your promotion and elevation will be based on what you know and not who you know. We must bear this in mind.”

    He disclosed that some officers passed the examination that were omitted during the compilation of the results.

    According to him, “There is no supplementary promotion exercise,” but the affected officers will be the first on the next promotion list.

    Admonishing the decorated officers, he asked them to see their elevation as a call to higher and strategic service delivery.

    Adeniyi said they would now be involved in policy-making and implementation.

    He urged them to be disciplined and dedicated to their services.

    He added that they must learn to know that official communication is the only source of dissemination of information about the NCS decisions.

    He tasked them with mentoring the young generation of officers in the service.

    He also urged the junior officers to take advantage of the service to distinguish themselves for elevation.

  • Nigeria recorded N66.34tr surplus in 2024, says Customs 

    Nigeria recorded N66.34tr surplus in 2024, says Customs 

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Tuesday revealed that the country recorded  N66.34trillion surplus trade in 2024.

    Its Comptroller-General, Adewale Adeniyi broke the news in a press briefing on 2024 performance in Abuja.

    Read Also: FCCPC, NCC sign MOU to address regulatory gaps in telecoms industry

    He said in the year under review, Nigeria recorded NN136.65 trillion export and N60.29 trillion import, an indication of N66.34 trillion surplus trade.

    According to him, the total trade volume in 2024 was N196.94 trillion.

    He said the NCS raked in N6.10trillion revenue in 2024 from the N3.2 trillion recorded in the previous year.

    Details shortly…

  • Customs recruitment: 573,519 apply for 3,927 jobs

    Customs recruitment: 573,519 apply for 3,927 jobs

    Barely a week after the portal of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) was opened for its 2024/2025 recruitment, not less than 573,519 job seekers have applied for jobs into the service.

    About a week ago, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Olawale Edun, announced that the Federal Government had approved the recruitment of 3,927 officers for the NCS.

    In an update yesterday on the recruitment, NCS National Public Relations Officer (PRO) Abdullahi Maiwada hinted that 573,519 applicants had applied for the 3,927 vacancies in the service.

    “I want to break down the number of people that have applied. We have two categories of officers: we have the support staff members that are professionals, and we have the general duty.

    “For the general duty, we have three categories of ranks. For the general duty under the superintendent cadre, we have 249,218 candidates that have applied,” he said.

    Read Also: Customs generates N102.5 billion in Kano, Jigawa in 2024

    Under the superintendent cadre support staff cadre, Maiwada said: “We have 27,722 with HNDs and university degrees.

    “For the inspector cadres, those expected to apply with their National Certificate for Education (NCE) or National Diploma, we have 115,634 applying for the general duty; and for support staff, we have 12,952 applicants.

    “As for the Customs Assistants, these are supposed to come in with secondary school certificates. There are two categories: those who have basic five-credit results with Mathematics and English and those without Mathematics and English.”

    For the general duty, the PRO said: “We have 153,593, while for the support staff, we have 14,400 applicants.”

  • Over 573,000 apply for Customs recruitment in one week

    Over 573,000 apply for Customs recruitment in one week

    Barely one week after the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) opened its portal for the 2024/2025 recruitment exercise, over 573,000 job seekers have submitted applications for the available positions.

    Last week, Finance Minister Olawale Edun announced that the Federal Government had approved the recruitment of 3,927 officers for the NCS.

    In an update on the ongoing recruitment process, Abdullahi Maiwada, the NCS’s National Public Relations Officer (PRO), revealed that a total of 573,519 applicants have already applied for the 3,927 vacant positions.

    According to the image maker, “I want to break down the number of people that applied. We have two categories of officers: we have the support staff that are professionals, and we have the general duty.

    “For the general duty, we have three categories of ranks. For the general duty under the superintendent cadre, we have 249,218 candidates that applied.

    Under the superintendent cadre support staff cadre, he said, “we have 27,722 with HNDs and university degrees.

    Read Also: Customs generates N102.5 billion in Kano, Jigawa in 2024

    “For the inspector cadres, those expected to apply with their National Certificate for Education (NCE) or National Diploma, we have 115,634 applying for the general duty, and for support staff, we have 12,952.

    “As for the customs assistants, these are those who are supposed to come in with secondary school certificates.There are two categories: those who have basic five-credit results with Maths and English and those without Maths and English.

     For the general duty, Maiwada said, ” we have 153,593 while the support staff we have 14,400.”

  • Customs generates N102.5 billion in Kano, Jigawa in 2024

    Customs generates N102.5 billion in Kano, Jigawa in 2024

    The Kano/Jigawa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) generated a total sum of N102,503,573,383.31 in the year 2024, the agency declared in their end of of year briefing.

    A statement by the spokesman of the command, Saidu Nuruddeen, said the amount realised last year represents 94 percent variance when compared with 2023 records.

    The Kano/Jigawa command, under the leadership of Comptroller Dauda Ibrahim Chana, also realised N235,290,320 as duty paid value from its intensified anti-smuggling operations during which notable seizures were made.

    According to Saidu Nuruddeen, the seizures included: 136x50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice, 238 cartons of spaghetti, macaroni and couscous; 534 cartons of foreign non diary creamer milk, 210 kg of kola nuts and about 552 bales of used clothes

    Others included 191 blocks of compressed blue cannabis handed over to the NDLEA, 74,870 tablets of Tramadol hydrochloride tablet and 280 blocks of Indian Hemp also handed over to the NDLEA.

    Also seized were 5,066 Cartons of foreign GIV Soap and 58 pieces of used tires, 1,290 packs of expired/fake pharmaceutical products which were handed over to NAFDAC, and a sack of 750 pieces of Otrivin bottle of 15ml each which was handed over to NAFDAC.

    “The command also intercepted 2,231kg of pangolin scales earlier and then followed up with 2,179 kg, and arrested one suspect in Mubi, Adamawa State, in a joint operation with the Wildlife Justice Commission. The combined total stands at 4,410 kg of Pangolin scales arrested,” Nuruddeen said.

    Read Also: Customs intercepts 10,970 litres of smuggled petrol in sacks

    He stated that the Kano/Jigawa command’s strategic approach to revenue collection, which integrates innovative policies, robust enforcement mechanisms, and available technology, has proven highly effective.

    “This approach, combined with enhanced border security operations that prevent smuggling and other illicit activities, has fortified the integrity of the revenue collection system.

    “Moreover, effective stakeholder engagement, including collaboration with local communities, businesses, and international partners, has fostered trust and cooperation.

    “These concerted efforts have culminated in significant and sustained revenue growth, thus consolidating the command’s pivotal role in economic development and national security,” Nuruddeen said.

    The Customs Area Controller Dauda Ibrahim Chana expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his management team for their unwavering support.

    He added that agency had also fostered strong relationships with sister security agencies, leading to collaborative efforts in addressing security challenges, coupled with a proactive engagement with terminal operators, licensed agents, and market associations that facilitated trade and improved compliance.

  • Customs intercepts 10,970 litres of petrol concealed in sacks by smugglers

    Customs intercepts 10,970 litres of petrol concealed in sacks by smugglers

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Zone A Operation Whirlwind Unit has intercepted smugglers attempting to transport over 10,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) concealed in sacks by smugglers in Badagry.

    In a statement, the Commander of Operation Whirlwind, Mahmood Bello, said that the operation took place on New Year’s Eve.

    Customs operatives, he said, conducted surveillance along the waterside in Badagry, where they intercepted 61 sacks and seven jerry cans of PMS loaded in a large canoe headed for the Benin Republic.

     Bello added that smugglers had revived an old smuggling technique of concealing PMS in sacks. This marked the first time this method was encountered during Operation Whirlwind, as previous seizures had involved PMS transported in jerry-cans.

    Read Also: Customs denounces N76m bribery allegations

    According to him: “Recall that the National Coordinator instructed our operatives to intensify efforts during the festive period to prevent smugglers from exploiting the season. On December 31, 2024, our team conducted surveillance along the Badagry waterside and intercepted 61 sacks and seven jerry cans of PMS, all loaded in a large canoe bound for the Benin Republic.

    Each sack, according to him, “contained 150 litres, translating to a total of 10,970 litres of PMS. The products were evacuated with reinforcement from the Nigerian military stationed at the Badagry Barracks. The operation was highly successful, with no casualties despite resistance from the smugglers.”

    The senior Customs officer added that due to the volatile nature of the seized product, the National Coordinator had ordered its auctioning. The interception highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Customs in curbing smuggling activities along Nigeria’s borders.

  • Customs unveils 2025 strategy

    Customs unveils 2025 strategy

    • Dissolves border patrol team

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the dissolution of the Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT) and unveiled a revamped enforcement strategy for 2025.

    This, it said, is designed to address evolving challenges in border security and trade, while leveraging modern technology and intelligence-driven operations.

    The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, announced the dissolution of the JBPT and the introduction of a new enforcement strategy after thorough consultations with the Office of the National Security Adviser.

    The 2025 strategy emphasises actionable intelligence and strategic risk management frameworks as cornerstones of its operations. By utilising data-driven methods, the NCS aims to strengthen border security while facilitating the movement of legitimate goods and people.

    The Service assured stakeholders that these measures would not compromise security but rather represent a significant step towards modernizing customs operations and improving trade compliance.

    He said: “We are committed to ensuring that our enforcement strategies align with global best practices. This approach will allow us to combat smuggling more effectively, enhance legitimate trade, and secure our borders while supporting economic growth.”

    Read Also: JUST IN: Customs arrest 94 suspects, seizes goods worth over N18b

    Trade and security stakeholders have expressed optimism about the new strategy. A member of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), who spoke on condition of anonymity noted, “The reduction of customs checkpoints and reliance on intelligence-driven operations will reduce delays and enhance business operations. This is a welcome development for manufacturers and exporters,” one of them said.

    Similarly, a representative of the Border Communities Development Agency commended the NCS’s move, describing it as a “step in the right direction” for addressing security concerns while promoting economic activities in border regions.

    CG Adeniyi called on stakeholders to support the fight against economic saboteurs and to collaborate with the Service in securing Nigeria’s borders. “Our mission remains clear: to protect the nation, facilitate legitimate trade, and ensure the well-being of all Nigerians,” he stated.

    In a statement signed by Service spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, the NCS outlined that the revamped strategy aims to simplify operations, eliminate trade obstacles, and intensify efforts to combat smuggling.

    “This development underscores the Service’s commitment to leveraging innovative, intelligence-driven approaches for effective border enforcement and anti-smuggling operations. We are reducing the number of customs checkpoints across the country and adopting advanced geospatial tools and technologies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness,” Adeniyi said.

    The JBPT, launched in 2019 under the code name “Ex-Swift Response,” was initially established to enforce the partial border closure policy aimed at curbing the influx of dangerous goods and ensuring compliance with Nigeria’s trade and security regulations. Over the years, the team has played a critical role in safeguarding the nation’s land borders. However, the NCS believes that the time has come to modernize and integrate enforcement operations into a broader strategic framework.

    “The NCS acknowledges and deeply appreciates the cooperation and dedication of other government agencies that partnered in this endeavor. Their invaluable contributions have been instrumental to safeguarding Nigeria’s land borders,” the statement read.

  • Customs unveils 2025 strategy, dissolves border patrol team

    Customs unveils 2025 strategy, dissolves border patrol team

    In a transformative move aimed at strengthening border management and enhancing trade facilitation, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the dissolution of the Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT) and unveiled a revamped enforcement strategy for 2025.

    This development is designed to address evolving challenges in border security and trade while leveraging modern technology and intelligence-driven operations.

    The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, announced the dissolution of the Joint Border Patrol Team and the introduction of a new enforcement strategy after thorough consultations with the Office of the National Security Adviser.

    In a statement signed by the Service spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, the NCS outlined that the revamped strategy aims to simplify operations, eliminate trade obstacles, and intensify efforts to combat smuggling.

    “This development underscores the Service’s commitment to leveraging innovative, intelligence-driven approaches for effective border enforcement and anti-smuggling operations,” said Comptroller General Adeniyi.

    “We are reducing the number of customs checkpoints across the country and adopting advanced geospatial tools and technologies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.”

    The JBPT, launched in 2019 under the code name “Ex-Swift Response,” was initially established to enforce the partial border closure policy aimed at curbing the influx of dangerous goods and ensuring compliance with Nigeria’s trade and security regulations. Over the years, the team has played a critical role in safeguarding the nation’s land borders. However, the NCS believes that the time has come to modernise and integrate enforcement operations into a broader strategic framework.

    “The NCS acknowledges and deeply appreciates the cooperation and dedication of other government agencies that partnered in this endeavour,” the statement read. “Their invaluable contributions have been instrumental in safeguarding Nigeria’s land borders.”

    The 2025 strategy emphasises actionable intelligence and strategic risk management frameworks as cornerstones of its operations. By utilising data-driven methods, the NCS aims to strengthen border security while facilitating the movement of legitimate goods and people.

    Read Also: North will vote for Tinubu again in 2027 – Arewa Group

    The Service assured stakeholders that these measures would not compromise security but rather represent a significant step towards modernising customs operations and improving trade compliance.

    “We are committed to ensuring that our enforcement strategies align with global best practices,” Adeniyi added.

    “This approach will allow us to combat smuggling more effectively, enhance legitimate trade, and secure our borders while supporting economic growth.”

    Trade and security stakeholders have expressed optimism about the new strategy. A member of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), who spoke on the condition of anonymity, noted, “The reduction of customs checkpoints and reliance on intelligence-driven operations will reduce delays and enhance business operations. This is a welcome development for manufacturers and exporters.”

    Similarly, a representative of the Border Communities Development Agency commended the NCS’s move, describing it as a “step in the right direction” for addressing security concerns while promoting economic activities in border regions.

    Comptroller General Adeniyi called on stakeholders to support the fight against economic saboteurs and to collaborate with the Service in securing Nigeria’s borders. “Our mission remains clear: to protect the nation, facilitate legitimate trade, and ensure the well-being of all Nigerians,” he stated.