Adeniyi Attributes Collection of N1.3tn Q1 To President Tinubu’s Reforms

…As RCMP Commends Customs for Strengthening Border Security, Anti-Smuggling Cooperation

BY FUNMI ALUKO

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded unprecedented revenue of ₦1.3 trillion in the first quarter of 2025, more than double the ₦600 billion collected during the same period in 2023.

Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi attributed this remarkable growth to transformative reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, as revealed in an upcoming State House documentary marking the President’s second anniversary.

A release by the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, quoted the CGC as saying the president’s reforms initiative have greatly impacted the NCS overall growth trajectory.

According to the statement Adeniyi highlighted that the revenue surge emanated from improved technological deployment, enhanced port operations, tightened enforcement on revenue leakages, and a renewed culture of accountability across Customs commands.

“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,” the Comptroller General said.

He disclosed that the Service is preparing to launch the E-Customs Modernisation Project. This $3.2 billion initiative will digitise 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,” he said.

Adeniyi added that the newly launched Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme is now onboarding pre-vetted importers, allowing compliant businesses faster processing and 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,” he said.

The Customs CG confirmed that the Service has intensified its anti-smuggling operations and closed long-standing revenue leakages.

He said over ₦64 billion was recovered from previously under-assessed or undervalued imports in the last nine months, and major smuggling rings at the Seme, Idiroko, Katsina, and Sokoto borders have been dismantled.

He said the new joint border patrol task forces established in coordination with the Nigerian Army, DSS, and Police have also yielded positive results.

“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 said.

To ease trade and reduce business costs, Adeniyi disclosed that NCS is fast-tracking the roll-out of the National Single Window. This digital portal will integrate all government agencies involved in cargo clearance.

“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, adding that clearance timelines at Apapa and Tin Can Ports have already dropped from 21 days to 7–10 days for compliant importers.

The Comptroller General said the agency has introduced fast-track lanes for agro-exports and is working with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to streamline outbound cargo processes in line with the government’s push for non-oil exports.

“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,” he said.

He stated that the Customs Service is also undergoing internal transformation, with over 1,800 officers trained in advanced data analytics, risk profiling, and artificial intelligence.

“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,” Adeniyi said.

“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.”

Meanwhile the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) International Special Services has commended the Nigeria Customs for its unwavering commitment to safeguarding borders and disrupting transnational organised crime through strategic partnerships and intelligence-driven operations.

This recognition follows the recent recovery of 12 luxury vehicles by the RCMP Liaison Office in Lagos, adding to the 53 earlier recovered. This brings the total number of stolen Canadian vehicles intercepted in Nigeria to 65. These recoveries were made possible through the strong collaboration between the NCS, the RCMP, the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and Interpol Nigeria.

Customs National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada in a release made available to our reporter stated that the commendation was formally made during an official ceremony held on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at the Canadian High Commission in Abuja, where the High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, His Excellency Pasquale Salvaggio, presented an Award of Recognition to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his leadership and the pivotal role of the Service in the fight against cross-border crimes.

In the citation read at the event, the Canadian envoy praised CGC Adeniyi for his sustained contributions to disrupting the operations of international crime syndicates and highlighted specific cases, including the interception of various exotic vehicles worth millions of dollars, as well as the seizure of several kilograms of synthetic cannabis, popularly known as ‘loud’, smuggled from Canada into Nigeria through multiple ports, airports and other unapproved routes.

“Through the support of the Nigeria Customs Service, in collaboration with Canadian and Nigerian law enforcement agencies, we have disrupted key international crime networks and safeguarded the integrity of our borders,” Salvaggio stated.

In his response, CGC Bashir Adeniyi appreciated the Government of Canada and reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation in combating illicit trade.

“This recognition reflects the success of our collaborative approach. We value our strong relationships with the RCMP, CBSA, EFCC, NDLEA, and Interpol. Together, we have delivered tangible results that benefit both our countries and global trade,” the CGC remarked.

He also advocated formalising the growing partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Canadian Border Services Agency to institutionalise cooperation on enforcement, intelligence exchange, and training.

Highlighting the global nature of modern crime, CGC Adeniyi emphasised that deeper engagement between Customs administrations across continents is crucial, especially as Nigeria and Canada are active members of the World Customs Organisation (WCO).

The RCMP, represented by Mr. Liam Price, Director General of International Special Services, acknowledged that the partnership with Nigeria Customs has significantly strengthened Canada’s international enforcement efforts and remains vital in tackling organised criminal networks.

Also honoured at the event were heads of Nigeria’s key enforcement agencies, including Mr Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the EFCC; Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd), Chairman/CEO of the NDLEA (represented by Barr. Shadrac Haruna); and Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun, represented by AIG Olaolu Adegbite of Interpol Nigeria.

The recognition is a testament to Nigeria Customs Service’s growing reputation as a reliable agency in international border security. It reaffirms the value of sustained inter-agency collaboration in combating illicit trade and transnational crime.