Nigerian Customs Service Celebrates International Customs Day with Impressive Achievements

By Lod Onyeji 

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) marked International Customs Day on January 27, 2025, with a celebration at its headquarters in Abuja, highlighting its significant contributions to national development and security. Comptroller General Wale Adeniyi revealed that the NCS managed imports valued at ₦60.29 trillion and exports of ₦136.65 trillion in 2024, while providing ₦1.68 trillion in concessions to boost economic growth.

The NCS's achievements align with the World Customs Organization's (WCO) theme for 2025, "Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security, and Prosperity." Adeniyi emphasized that the NCS's core responsibilities – facilitating legitimate trade, securing national borders, and fostering economic growth – form the bedrock of its operations.

Key Achievements:

• Revenue Collection: The NCS achieved an unprecedented ₦6.1 trillion in revenue collection, exceeding targets by 20.2% and representing a 90.4% year-over-year increase.
• Trade Facilitation: The NCS implemented the Advanced Ruling System, reducing clearance delays and disputes, and achieved a 66.9% reduction in cargo clearance time through its Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program.
• Security: The NCS made significant strides in combating illicit trade, including 105 seizures of narcotics and illicit drugs, and 76 seizures of animal/wildlife products valued at ₦5.93 billion.

Looking ahead, the NCS plans to focus on transformative initiatives, including nationwide trade modernization deployment, comprehensive AEO program implementation, and the establishment of the Nigeria Customs Service University for Trade and Technology.