The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a remarkable revenue performance for the first quarter of 2025, collecting a total of ₦1.75 trillion—exceeding its quarterly benchmark by over ₦106 billion and marking a 29.96% year-on-year increase.
Nigeria Customs also says Anti-smuggling operations was intensified and trade facilitation and modernization efforts yielded expected results.
In a quarterly briefing, the Comptroller General of Customs described the achievement as “outstanding,” noting that the Q1 revenue of ₦1,751,502,252,298.05 surpassed the ₦1.645 trillion target by 106.47%.
“This is a clear indication that our reforms and enforcement strategies are working,” the CG said. “We’ve not only outperformed expectations, but we’ve also built a trajectory of growth and resilience.”
January 2025 led the surge with collections of ₦647.88 billion, a 65.77% increase from January 2024. February and March maintained the momentum with collections of ₦540.1 billion and ₦563.5 billion respectively—both exceeding targets and posting double-digit growth over the previous year.
“These consistent gains reflect the strength of our reforms and our unyielding commitment to revenue optimization,” the CG emphasized.
In enforcement, the NCS reported 298 seizures worth ₦7.7 billion in Duty Paid Value (DPV), up 78.41% from the previous quarter. Key seizures included 135,474 bags of rice, 65,819 liters of petroleum products, and 22 cases of narcotics valued at over ₦730 million. A standout operation uncovered three major wildlife product shipments worth over ₦5.6 billion.
“These seizures go beyond numbers—they reflect our deliberate, intelligence-led strategy to protect Nigeria’s borders and economy,” the CG stated. “Our intensified focus on narcotics and wildlife trafficking aligns with global enforcement priorities.”
The Service processed 327,928 import declarations in Q1, a 5.28% rise from the previous year. The volume of imports reached nearly 4.91 billion kilograms, up 40.14%, while the CIF value rose 26.72% to ₦14.8 trillion.
On the export front, shipments fell by 24.4% compared to Q1 2024, yet the mass of exports skyrocketed by 348% to over 5 billion kilograms. The CIF value remained stable at ₦21.51 trillion.
“The data signals a shift towards bulk commodity exports and reflects improved processing efficiency,” noted the CG. “Fewer transactions, larger volumes—it’s a sign of trade maturity.”
The Service also highlighted major strategic initiatives, including:
B’Odogwu Platform Expansion: The indigenous customs clearance platform now covers more formations, reducing clearance times and improving service delivery.
Launch of the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) Programme: Designed to reward compliant businesses with faster clearances and reduced inspections.
Customs Cares CSR Programme: Rolled out in Abuja and expanding nationwide, the initiative supports education, health, food security, and environmental protection.
“Results speak louder than plans,” the CG affirmed. “Through B’Odogwu, AEO, and our CSR efforts, we’re scaling what works and driving institutional transformation.”
The NCS implemented import duty exemptions on key food items—maize, rice, and sorghum—supporting national efforts to stabilize food prices. These policies contributed to a 12–18% reduction in prices, with cumulative impact from previous and current waivers now evident.
Despite successes, challenges persist. Exchange rate volatility, with 62 adjustments in Q1 alone, continues to affect trade predictability. Other hurdles included the temporary suspension of the Financial Customs Service Operation and uncertainty from the 14% reciprocal tariff on Nigerian exports to the U.S.
Looking ahead, the CG stressed continued focus on modernization and enhanced service delivery.
“Our long-term vision is clear,” he said. “We aim to become a fully modernized, technology-driven Customs Service that supports legitimate trade while protecting national interests.”
The CG concluded by acknowledging the dedication of Customs officers, the support of the Federal Government, and the cooperation of stakeholders and international partners.
“To the media, thank you for being our link to the public. Your role is crucial in fostering understanding and transparency,” he said. “Together, we will continue building a Customs Service Nigeria can be proud of.”