By Adetokunbo FAKEYE
The Nigeria Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on Wednesday, 13th November 2024, at the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Conference in Abuja highlighted the achievements and challenges of his administration with revelation that, Customs has generated a whopping N5.079,455,088,194.38k.
Adeniyi, disclosed the revenue generation, which has already surpassed the 2024 target of N5trillion while delivering his speech at the Comptroller of Customs Conference with theme: Under the theme “Nigeria Customs Service: Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose”.
The CGC, while highlighting both accomplishments and pressing challenges within emphasizing the NCS’s mission to foster stronger partnerships and modernize operations.
Speaking on the trade facilitation strides of the service, he said six beneficiaries of the Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) programme have been carefully selected.
According to him, 21 requests have been processed under an advance ruling programme aimed at fostering quicker Custom Decision-making on import and export cargoes ahead of their arrival at the ports.
The Comptroller-General also said that the Service Time Release Study has progressed the drive to 24-hour cargo clearance and reduced dwell time at the ports.
Adeniyi added that the agency’s significant strides, including streamlined cargo alerts, updated ICT infrastructure, and expanded scanning capabilities, all aimed at creating a more efficient and transparent Customs operation.
Speaking on the enforcement front, he said that the NCS seized NGN 28.1 billion in contraband goods in 2024, tackling illicit trade in arms, narcotics, and wildlife products.
“The NCS’s commitment to national security was underscored by “Operation Whirlwind,” a collaborative anti-smuggling operation that disrupted petroleum product smuggling. These efforts, Adeniyi stressed, reflect the NCS’s evolving focus on inter-agency cooperation for broader economic and security impact”, he said.
“The achievement of these goals has been made possible through the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Finance Minister Wale Edun, our dedicated Customs team, and constructive engagement with stakeholders”, he stated.
Adeniyi outlined strategic goals for the agency in 2025, including reducing physical inspections through improved risk management and expanding the AEO program.
To achieve these goals, Adeniyi called for stronger partnerships across government and the private sector, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches in managing today’s complex trade environment.
