The President gave us a clear directive: block leakages, facilitate trade, and raise revenue without burdening Nigerians. That is what we are doing. And the results are beginning to speak for themselves – Adeniyi
President Bola Tinubu’s transformative economic reforms have pushed Nigeria Customs Service revenue to N1.3 trillion in the first quarter of 2025, representing a staggering 117% increase from the ₦600 billion recorded during the same period in 2023.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said the Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi revealed this remarkable achievement in an upcoming State House documentary celebrating President Tinubu’s second anniversary.
“We collected ₦1.3 trillion in Q1 2025 alone. This is not due to higher import volumes. Imports have dropped due to foreign exchange constraints. What has changed is efficiency, transparency, and enforcement,” Adeniyi declared.
The Customs Service has also embarked on a comprehensive modernization drive, preparing to launch the ambitious E-Customs Modernisation Project worth $3.2 billion. This groundbreaking initiative will digitize cargo processing, surveillance, and payment systems across Nigeria’s ports and borders.
“We’re laying the foundation to move from a manual, paper-based system to a fully digital service. The E-Customs Project is central to our future. Once fully deployed, we project it will add $250 billion in cumulative revenue over 20 years,” the Comptroller-General explained.
The newly launched Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme has begun onboarding pre-vetted importers, enabling compliant businesses to enjoy faster processing while reducing port congestion. “It’s about trust and efficiency. If you’re compliant, you get green-lane treatment. This is how modern customs systems work globally,” Adeniyi emphasized.
The Service has intensified its war against smuggling, recovering over N64 billion from previously under-assessed or undervalued imports in the last nine months. Major smuggling networks at Seme, Idiroko, Katsina, and Sokoto borders have been dismantled through coordinated operations with security agencies.
“We’re no longer just chasing smugglers in the bush. We’re using data, surveillance drones, and port intelligence to act in real-time. Once systemic leakages are now being plugged,” Adeniyi revealed.
Joint border patrol task forces established with the Nigerian Army, DSS, and Police have delivered impressive results, plugging long-standing revenue leakages that previously cost the nation billions.
To ease trade and reduce business costs, the Customs Service is fast-tracking the National Single Window rollout. This revolutionary digital portal will integrate all government agencies involved in cargo clearance, replacing the current manual process involving up to 15 agencies.
“Right now, you deal with up to 15 agencies manually. With the Single Window, you’ll do it all online, in one place. This will slash clearance time and costs,” the CG explained.
The reforms have already delivered tangible results, with clearance timelines at Apapa and Tin Can Ports dropping dramatically from 21 days to 7–10 days for compliant importers.
The agency has introduced fast-track lanes for agro-exports and partnered with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to streamline outbound cargo processes, supporting the government’s non-oil export drive.
“We’re promoting exports aggressively. Last year, Nigeria exported over ₦340 billion worth of solid minerals and agro commodities through formal channels, up by 38%. We’re targeting even more in 2025,” Adeniyi announced.
The Customs Service has trained over 1,800 officers in advanced data analytics, risk profiling, and artificial intelligence, transforming from a traditional inspection-based organization to an intelligence-led operation.
“Customs is no longer just about physical inspection. We are becoming an intelligence-led organisation, and our officers are being retrained to match global standards,” the Comptroller-General stated.
Reflecting on the transformative journey, Adeniyi credited President Tinubu’s clear directive for the Service’s outstanding performance.
“The President gave us a clear directive: block leakages, facilitate trade, and raise revenue without burdening Nigerians. That is what we are doing. And the results are beginning to speak for themselves,” he concluded.
