FG Says Customs Role In ₦48tn 2025 Budget Crucial

…As Service Plans 3,927 Recruitment To Beef Up Workforce

BY FUNMI ALUKO

The federal government has identified the important role of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in achieving the proposed 2025 budget of ₦48 trillion; which the President Ahmed Tinubu led administration has described as “A Budget of Restoration.”

This is even as NCS has been commended for its pivotal role in boosting the nation’s economic recovery. The Minister of Finance, Mr Olawale Edun, highlighted the NCS’s importance during the 61st quarterly board meeting of the agency held on Wednesday, 18 December, at the Customs House, Maitama, Abuja.

The NCS in a statement signed by its spokesman, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada said the meeting followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presentation of the 2025 budget to the National Assembly.

The statement reads: “The budget projects ₦35 trillion in revenue, with the NCS expected to play a critical role. Speaking further on the NCS’s performance, Mr Edun disclosed that the agency had generated over ₦5 trillion by November 2024.

“The NCS and other revenue bodies have performed remarkably well,” he said, linking the success to reforms introduced by President Tinubu. The Honourable Minister further revealed that the government plans to secure concessionary loans, grants, and development support to fund the remaining ₦13 trillion.”

Mr. Edun also noted that the board reviewed the NCS’s 2024 achievements, approving the recruitment of 3,927 officers and granting special promotions to top-performing personnel to bridge gaps and enhance trade facilitation.

“The NCS has excelled in suppressing smuggling and fostering trade, crucial for growth and job creation,” he added.

The minister urged officers of the service to remain committed to national goals, emphasising the agency’s role in poverty reduction and economic growth.

In a related development, NSCB has approved the recruitment of 3,927 officers just as granted special promotions to top performing personnel to bridge the gap in the service workforce aimed at enhancing trade facilitation.

Customs spokesman, Abdulahi Maiwada on behalf of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi said the decision was made during the 61st quarterly board meeting of the NCS.

“Following a review of the NCS ‘s 2024 achievements by the board, Mr Edun noted that the NCS excelled in suppressing smuggling and fostering trade, crucial for growth and job creation.”