Tag: customs

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it has intercepted $2.2 million in undeclared cash at major airports across the country between January and July 2025.

The service also disclosed that its collaboration with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and other agencies has also led to the seizures of drones, arms, and endangered wildlife products.

It said in the first half of 2025, it generated N3.7 trillion, exceeding budget targets by 12.5 per cent and outperforming 2024 collections by 25 per cent.

According to NCS, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Area Command alone contributed N97.16 billion.

The Officer in charge of Special Duties headquarters, Abuja, Comptroller Haniel Hadison, disclosed these at the fourth quarter aviation stakeholder engagement in Abuja.

The Service said its operations this year at various airports have evolved into intelligence-driven missions, shaped by citizen insights and collaborative agency efforts, adding that every tip from the public has helped it intercept contraband, enforce currency declarations, and protect the border.

On its security and enforcement efforts, he said: “Between January and July 2025, the NCS intercepted $2.2 million in undeclared cash at major airports across the country. For instance, $193,000 concealed in a carton of yoghurt at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on March 20, 2025, $1,154,900 and SR135,900 in Saudi Riyals at the Kano airport from a passenger arriving from Saudi Arabia, and $578,000 in falsely declared cash was intercepted from an inbound passenger arriving from South Africa at Lagos Airport.

He hinted that its advanced scanners, like the Orion 928DX, now detect threats faster, reduce physical checks, and enhance passenger experience.

On revenue generation and operational efficiency, Hadison said: “In the first half of the year 2025, the NCS generated N3.7 trillion, exceeding budget targets by 12.5 per cent and outperforming 2024 collections by 25 per cent.

“The Murtala Muhammed International Airport Area Command alone contributed N97.16 billion, a 20.92 per cent increase from the previous year. These figures reflect improved operational efficiency and strategic enforcement.

“We seized contraband worth over N1.2 billion, including foreign rice, used vehicles, and unregistered pharmaceuticals. At Kano airport, foreign currencies worth N653.99 million were intercepted. These results are not just numbers; they represent the dedication of our officers and the effectiveness of our systems”.

He expressed the commitment of the NCS to make customs services faster, cheaper, and more predictable without compromising security or revenue. 

The Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) has approved thirteen top management appointments and ten special promotions in a major shake-up designed to strengthen the Service’s leadership and operational efficiency. 

The decisions were reached at the Board’s 64th Regular Meeting held on earlier in the week, chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.

According to the Board, the appointments comply with statutory provisions and reflect the Federal Character requirements outlined in Section 14(4) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. 

The restructuring includes the confirmation of five Deputy Comptroller-Generals (DCGs) and eight Assistant Comptroller-Generals (ACGs), a move aimed at reinforcing strategic command across Customs formations nationwide.

The newly appointed Deputy Comptroller-Generals are Baba Imam (North-East), Isah Umar (North-West), Tijjani Abe (North-West), Timi Bomodi (South-South) and Oluyomi Adebakin (South-West). 

Their elevation follows the retirement of several senior officers and is expected to enhance high-level decision-making and administrative oversight within the Service.

Similarly, eight senior officers were appointed as Assistant Comptroller-Generals. They include C.G. Ogbonna (South-East), I. Abba-Aji (North-East), G.M. Haruna (South-South), E.J. Edelduok (South-South), G. Gaura (North-West), I. Isyaku (North-West), M.S. Shuaibu (North-Central) and M.D. Malah (North-East). 

The Board noted that these appointments demonstrate its commitment to improving policy execution, compliance enforcement and operational coordination.

The NCSB also approved special promotions for 10 officers who demonstrated exceptional professionalism, leadership and service delivery. Those promoted include A.C. Fanyam and G.M. Shidali who were elevated to Comptroller of Customs, while S. Omofoma, O.A. Oladepo, A.Y. Musa, A. Ogboru and A.A. Maiwada were promoted to Deputy Comptroller of Customs. Others are C.N. Essien and H. Aliyu who became Assistant Comptrollers of Customs, and A.S. Shofadekan who earned promotion to Deputy Superintendent of Customs.

Describing the recognition, the Board stated that special promotions are reserved for officers “whose work has significantly improved operations in their respective commands/units and contributed meaningfully to national revenue and security.” 

It added that the latest round of appointments and promotions forms part of broader efforts to strengthen leadership succession, enhance staff morale and ensure the Service remains agile in responding to evolving trade, security and administrative challenges.

“The decisions taken reflect our commitment to building a Customs Service that is efficient, future-focused and capable of meeting Nigeria’s growing economic and security needs,” the Board said.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has concluded arrangements to subject all newly recruited officers and men to mandatory drug testing as part of the ongoing recruitment exercise.

The Comptroller-General of the Service, Adewale Adeniyi, who disclosed this during the closing session of the CGC’s 2025 Conference in Abuja, said the measure is intended to ensure that no recruit enters the Service with substance-abuse tendencies that could compromise judgment, security responsibilities, or operational integrity.

According to him, the new directive is targeted primarily at fresh recruits, but serving officers will also be included as the Service moves towards establishing what he described as “a fully drug-free institution.”

He explained that mandatory drug tests will be conducted for all officers and men across all Zones, Commands, and at the Headquarters, noting that the Service will no longer tolerate situations where personnel make sensitive decisions while under the influence of drugs.

Adeniyi added that the decision was informed by past experiences where erratic behaviour or poor decision-making in some Commands was later linked to substance misuse.

He said, “There will be no compromise. We are going to ensure that every new officer is tested so that we do not begin to spend Service resources rehabilitating personnel.”

He warned that the era of overlooking early signs of substance abuse within the ranks was over, stressing that officers assigned to revenue collection, enforcement, and border security must possess sound judgment at all times.

He directed officers to prioritise their personal health and undergo regular medical checks, stating that physical and mental fitness remain essential to effective service delivery.

The Federal Government on Friday said the high-level African customs conference scheduled to hold in Abuja next week will serve as a major catalyst for economic recovery, stronger competitiveness and expanded export opportunities for small businesses under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, told journalists at the State House, Abuja,  that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strong support for the initiative reflects the administration’s resolve to place trade at the heart of national development, poverty reduction and industrial expansion.

The conference is expected to attract more than 30 African customs administrations, with 22 represented at Director-General level, alongside senior government officials, investors, manufacturers, airlines, shipping companies, port operators and logistics firms. 

It will focus on dismantling long-standing barriers to cross-border trade and driving deeper continental integration.

Adeniyi said the engagement marks a strategic departure from tradition as the private sector will lead the opening day, allowing businesses to speak directly to customs leaders and policymakers about the operational realities of intra-African trade.

“Governments don’t trade; customs doesn’t trade. It is economic operators who move goods. Their voices must shape the reforms, whether on non-tariff barriers, procedural delays, port inefficiencies or uneven application of AfCFTA preferences”, he said.

He noted that intra-African trade remains one of Nigeria’s most underutilised growth engines, pointing out that although the country has recorded more than 30 per cent growth in export volumes in the last two years, the bulk of the increase is directed outside the continent. 

Redirecting exports to Africa’s $3.4 trillion market, he said, would unlock new value chains, reduce logistics costs, ease currency settlement and create jobs.

Highlighting positive examples, he said SMEs in the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme are already exporting leather goods, handicrafts, processed foods and hibiscus flowers to Southern Africa, proving Nigeria’s capacity to compete on the continent.

Adeniyi linked Nigeria’s growing preparedness for AfCFTA to the Tinubu administration’s broader reforms, including customs modernisation, port decongestion, improved port infrastructure and the rollout of a national single window. 

He added that Nigeria’s hosting of the next Intra-African Trade Fair, and President Tinubu’s recognition as Champion of Intra-African Trade in Services, have further strengthened the country’s leadership position.

Responding to concerns about the impact of tariff liberalisation on revenue, he argued that long-term economic gains far outweigh short-term pressures. 

“Yes, we collect revenue, but trade brings far greater prosperity. You cannot eat your cake and have it,” he said.

He listed key outcomes Nigeria aims to drive at the conference, including a unified customs position on AfCFTA implementation, solutions to non-tariff barriers, a single platform for customs, financiers and economic operators, stronger partnerships with Afreximbank and the AfCFTA Secretariat, and practical, action-oriented reforms.

Adeniyi also disclosed that AfCFTA implementation is one of the specific KPIs tied to his renewed mandate after President Tinubu extended his service years. 

Implementing the agreement, he explained, requires capacity building and strong political will, as countries must gradually suspend customs duties on intra-African trade until they reach zero.

He said this informed the creation of the Concept of Partnerships for African Cooperation (CIPAC), which has rallied national actors including the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEXIM Bank, commercial banks and the Nigerian Ports Authority behind Customs’ leadership role.

Acknowledging the implementation difficulties faced by regional blocs in the past, he said the challenges are not unique to Nigeria and reflect broader continental realities. 

He stressed that duty-free access to African-produced goods would reduce production costs, expand markets and spur investment.

Adeniyi also highlighted Customs’ improved performance, reporting more than 70 per cent revenue growth in 2023 and 101 per cent in 2024, with this year’s figures expected to surpass previous records. 

He added that Customs remains committed not only to revenue but to national security and trade facilitation.

He said the Abuja conference represents a national effort to reposition Nigeria within Africa’s trade landscape. 

“This conference is about Nigeria signalling its readiness for Africa. With your support, Nigerians will better appreciate the enormous opportunities that AfCFTA holds for our economic renewal”, he said.

He urged the media and citizens to support the initiative, adding, “we need your assistance, your cooperation and your guidance to help Nigeria and Africa fully realise the potential that trade offers.”

As part of its efforts to enhance seamless operations and ease trade facilitation for traders and other stakeholders in the maritime industry, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has formally introduced its One-Stop-Shop Initiative at Zone ‘A’, Lagos, to reduce cargo dwell time at port to 48 hours.

The One-Stop-Shop initiative, the service said, “is expected to reduce cargo dwell time to an average of 48 hours per shipment, cut demurrage costs for importers, and foster accountability in port operations.”

Speaking at the highly attended event, which was held at Apapa Area Command of the Service yesterday, the Zonal Coordinator of Zone ‘A’, Assistant Comptroller-General Mohammed Babandede, described the platform as a smarter, technology-driven approach to cargo clearance that will enhance efficiency, transparency, and inter-agency collaboration.

The One-Stop-Shop initiative, the Service said, is a central platform for intelligence gathering and coordination, and also houses all documents within the NCS, ensuring a more efficient and coordinated approach to Customs operations.

Babandede explained that the platform brings all relevant Customs Units under one operational roof, allowing joint review, examination, and decision-making at a single point of contact.

The initiative, he said, “is backed by the B’Odogwu digital platform, the system enables real-time data sharing, centralised documentation, analytical reporting, and seamless trader engagement through the Customs portal.

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“The OSS would eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks that often delay cargo release, ensuring that every flagged declaration is handled transparently and collaboratively,” he stated.

He also commended the Customs ICT team for their role in developing the platform, describing it as a milestone in the Service’s modernisation drive.

He, however, pointed out that the success of the new initiative would rely solely on the integrity of the implementation.

Babandede, therefore, directed Customs officers and urged the trading community to efficiently utilise the process through the Customs portal.

The event brought together the Zonal Coordinator of Zone ‘A’, Babandede; Comptroller Frank Onyeka, Customs Area Controller, Tincan Island Port; Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, Apapa Customs Area Command; Comptroller Peter Ntadi, Area Controller, Western Marine Command. And representatives of other stakeholders, like freight-forwarder associations, terminal operators, and licensed Customs agents, lauded the initiative as a welcome innovation for the trading public.