In a press briefing held today at the corporate headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi highlighted the organization’s significant achievements in the first quarter of 2025. The briefing underscored the NCS’s commitment to enhancing revenue collection, fighting smuggling, and facilitating trade while addressing the challenges in the current economic environment.

Adeniyi expressed gratitude to the press and key stakeholders for their presence, noting the importance of transparency in sharing the NCS's progress with the Nigerian people. "These quarterly briefings are vital for keeping the public informed about our operations and the significant role we play in Nigeria's economy," he stated.

 Revenue Performance

Adeniyi announced that the Nigeria Customs Service collected a remarkable ₦1.75 trillion in Q1 2025, exceeding its benchmark of ₦1.64 trillion by ₦106.5 billion—a performance that reflects a 29.96% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Monthly collections showed a positive trajectory, with January seeing collections surpass the target by 18.12%, and March maintaining an upward trend with a 2.7% increase over its target.

 Anti-Smuggling Operations

During the first quarter, the NCS intensified its anti-smuggling efforts, seizing goods worth ₦7.7 billion. The agency recorded 298 seizures, marking a 78.41% increase in duty paid value compared to the previous quarter. However, there was a 19.7% decrease compared to Q1 2024, attributed to improved compliance among traders due to enhanced stakeholder engagement. The most significant seizures included rice, petroleum products, and narcotics, illustrating the NCS's commitment to curbing illegal trade.

 Trade Facilitation

In terms of trade facilitation, the NCS processed nearly 328,000 Single Goods Declarations (SGDs) for imports in Q1 2025, reflecting a 5.28% increase from the previous year. Although export shipments decreased, the mass of exports increased substantially, indicating a shift in trade dynamics. The total trade value handled by the NCS reached ₦36.3 trillion, affirming Nigeria's strong presence in international trade despite global economic challenges.

 Key Initiatives

Significant milestones in modernization were also highlighted. The NCS expanded the B'Odogwu platform for customs clearance, enhancing operational efficiency. Additionally, the launch of the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) Programme on February 14 aims to streamline processes for compliant businesses. The NCS also initiated its "Customs Cares" program, which addresses key sectors like education and healthcare, directly impacting communities nationwide.

 Challenges Ahead

Despite these achievements, Adeniyi addressed ongoing challenges, including exchange rate volatility, which continues to affect trade patterns. The quarterly report noted 62 changes in the exchange rate, prompting efforts to stabilize currency fluctuations in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

 Future Outlook

Looking to the future, the NCS aims to further modernize its operations and enhance service delivery. "Our strategic focus will center on technological advancement and stakeholder engagement to become a fully modernized customs administration," Adeniyi stated.

In conclusion, Adeniyi reaffirmed the NCS's dedication to improving national trade and economic growth while acknowledging the critical support from government partners and the media in communicating these initiatives to the public.