Nigeria Customs Service Implements Measures To Enhance Trade, National Security 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has said that the introduction of comprehensive reforms aimed at modernizing NCS operations, ensuring compliance, and strengthening enforcement helped in achieving the mandate of the service.

It said that in the last one year the NCS has implemented significant policy measures pivotal in enhancing trade facilitation, and bolstering national security.

These achievements were highlighted by the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi while giving stewardship of activities of the Service since his appointment by Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu.

“One of the leading policy measures implemented under the guidance of the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy was the transition from the repealed Customs and Excise Act of 2004 to the newly signed Nigeria Customs Service Act of 2023. This new act strengthens the modernization of NCS operations, compliance, and enforcement, with features that promote innovation within the Service.

The CGC, revealed that the service in its commitment to national security implemented measures to address security concerns.

“These measures include strengthening and reinforcing the Federal Operating Units to pursue, intercept, arrest, and dismantle smuggling networks. The Service has also enhanced its reliance on intelligence sharing and collaborations both nationally and internationally to tackle security-related issues, particularly in the illicit trade of arms,ammunition, drugs, and wildlife.”

“Recently, there has been a renewed focus on dismantling powerful cartels in the distribution of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). This has led to ongoing collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the
Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in the NCS-led operation “Whirlwind.”

Adeniyi revealed the the strategic efforts of men of the Nigeria Customs Service had yielded positive results as the service recorded 74 percent increase in its revenue collection.

“The NCS reported a remarkable 74% growth in revenue collection over the past year, recording a total revenue collection of N 4.49 trillion between June 2023 and May 2024, compared to the N
2.58 trillion collected during the corresponding period of the previous year.

This achievement was underpinned by a sustained increase of 70.13% in average monthly revenue collection compared to the previous year. NCS recorded an average monthly revenue collection of N 343 billion, compared to the N 202 billion monthly average.

Notably, there was a substantial 122.35% rise in revenue collection during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year”

Mr. Adeniyi while reiterating, committed to contribute to a safer and more prosperous Nigeria for all, pledge to work with relevant stakeholders to achieve a stable rate for import of goods to enable business plan activities.

Olusola Akintonde