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The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing reforms in the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), describing the Service as a strategic institution at the intersection of revenue mobilisation, national security and trade facilitation.
The Honourable Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja at the 2026 International Customs Day (ICD) celebration held at the Ladi Kwali Hall.
Commending officers and men of the Service for sustaining professionalism amid rising public and economic expectations, the Minister said the Federal Government recognises the NCS as a critical partner in the implementation of fiscal, monetary and structural reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to her, efficient border management remains central to economic stability and growth, noting that the Service has demonstrated that revenue assurance, trade facilitation and border security can be pursued simultaneously when guided by integrity, data-driven decision-making and strong leadership.
Uzoka-Anite assured stakeholders that the Federal Ministry of Finance would continue to provide policy direction and institutional backing to strengthen Customs capacity, improve transparency and modernise operations across the nation’s ports and border formations.
In his address, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed that the NCS generated a total revenue of N7.281 trillion in 2025, surpassing its approved annual target of N6.584 trillion.
He described the performance as a significant year-on-year growth, attributing the milestone to disciplined enforcement, improved compliance, process automation and sustained engagement with the trading community.
Beyond revenue, CGC Adeniyi said the Service intensified intelligence-led operations to protect society, resulting in thousands of seizures of prohibited and harmful items, including narcotics, illicit pharmaceuticals, arms and ammunition, wildlife products and substandard consumer goods.
According to him, the interventions were aimed at safeguarding public health, protecting the environment and strengthening national security, while ensuring that legitimate trade was not hindered.
He reaffirmed that the NCS remains committed to striking the right balance between facilitation and control, ensuring seamless flow of lawful trade without compromising security or revenue.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Customs, Honourable Leke Abejide, pledged continued legislative support for reforms that strengthen the Service, particularly in the areas of welfare, capacity building and operational efficiency.
In her remarks, the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, described the NCS as a key partner in Nigeria’s economic transformation, stressing that efficient Customs operations are critical to improving competitiveness, attracting investment and driving industrial growth, especially as the government intensifies efforts to expand non-oil revenue.
She called for deeper inter-agency collaboration, noting that trade facilitation and national security must advance together to deliver sustainable economic outcomes.
