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Customs

Hike in duty exchange rate threatens Customs’ N5.1 trillion revenue target, as agents lament impact on import business

The Eyewitness Reporter 

The latest hike in the Customs duty exchange rate by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has thrown the freight forwarding business into disarray as the practitioners are presently reeling under the heavy impact of the increase.

It would be recalled that the trading public woke up Friday, February 2nd, 2024 to the shocking news that the CBN, once again and for the umpteenth time, has jerked up the Customs duty exchange rate from N951.941 to N1, 356.888 per dollar.

The announcement, which came like a bolt out of the blue, jolted the trading public, especially the customs brokers and importers, who were still smarting from the last increase done shortly before last Christmas.

The latest hike has thrown the customs brokers into a pensive mood as they watch the gradual decline in their business.

“This is one hike too many ” a notable Customs broker who ply his trade in Apapa port but craved for anonymity, lamented.

“It is now clear that this government is determined to ruin and run us out of business.

“When we are yet to get over the effect of the last hike in December, coming with this new one barely one month after, is a killer punch” he declared with a tinge of pain in his voice.

“Who could afford to pay between N10 million to N14 million customs duty on 40 footer container as a result of the latest hike?” he asked rhetorically.

” Even, if you manage to pay, the consumers will bear the brunt as the importers will automatically pass on the buck” he noted.

Prince Ozo Chukwurah, the Vice Chairman, the Board of Trustees of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), aligned with the position of the anonymous respondent.

“As of October 2023, the duty rate on 40 footer container was in the region of N5 million. We were then trying to cope with that.
“Now, you will need more than N9 million to clear the same container with the latest increase and the exchange rate will continue to go up” the ANLCA chieftain lamented.
Alhaji Tanko Ibrahim, the Coordinator of the 100 percent compliance team of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders(NAGAFF) spoke with similar pain in his voice.
” Even if you import shit( faeces) in a 40-foot container, you will pay nothing less than N10 million as customs duty as a result of this latest increase. For others, you could pay between N12 million to N15 million” he stated.
” But I bet you, all these will go back to the masses because the importer will get his money back while the masses, the final consumers, will bear the brunt.” Alhaji Ibrahim said.
He expressed anger at the insensitivity of the CBN whom he accused of raising the exchange rate for customs duty at the drop of the hat.
” My anger is that anytime the exchange rate rises in the forex market, the CBN will quickly raise the rate for Customs duty but will not bring it down when there is a fall in the exchange rate in the foreign exchange market” he lamented.
He disclosed that there is a massive hunger in the land.
” It is even fair in Lagos because of its status as the commercial capital of the country but go to other towns and cities, especially in the rural areas where people are suffering. “
” Could you imagine that a bag of beans in the North where it is produced is now about N80,000?
“How much will it sell in Lagos when it gets there” he asked rhetorically.
However, all the respondents believe that the rising exchange rate for duty will affect the realisation of the N5.1 trillion revenue target of the customs.
They said the situation will lead to a drastic drop in importation as many importers will either abandon their cargo at the ports for those whose consignments are caught in the web of the latest hike or refuse to bring in goods due to the increase.
“There will be less importation because of the scarcity of dollars and the hike in the exchange rate for customs duty.
“This will have a negative impact on the revenue target of customs”
” Even if they manage to collect it, the amount will be worthless in the face of the rising inflation in the country. It won’t have much impact on the economy” Chukwurah noted.
Alhaji Tanko Ibrahim said importers will cease importation to study the situation because the foreign exchange market is volatile and highly unpredictable.
” This rate will keep rising. I heard that in a little while, the CBN will still increase the customs duty exchange rate to N1,500 per dollar based on its penchant to respond to the increase in the forex market” he claimed.
The respondents were therefore unanimous in their views that it would be an uphill task for the customs to meet its revenue target this year due to the harsh operating environment at the Ports
” Revenue targets are proposals and the Customs don’t have to kill themselves and the clearing agents in their efforts to meet them,” Prince Chukwurah said.
” I am very sure the Customs officers too don’t like what is happening because they too are Nigerians who are not immune against the hardship in the country.
” We all go to the same markets” Alhaji Ibrahim, the NAGAFF chieftain observed.
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Customs

Customs collects N1.585 trillion from 51 compliant traders under AEO programme 

Funso OLOJO,  Editor 
The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), one of the trade facilitation tools introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service in 2025, has begun to yield bountiful harvests with the revenue growth of ₦362.79 billion recorded in 2025.
According to the AEO scorecard released by the Service, the facilitation tool grossed the sum of N1.585 trillion after certification, an increase revenue from N1.222 trillion before certification.
This represents the growth of N362.79 billion(29.68 per cent) for 51 AEO – certified entities as at October, 2025.
The Programme, according to the NCS,  also contributed 21.77% to its total revenue collection of ₦7.281 trillion in 2025, while customs duties paid rose by 85.66% due to enhanced compliance and increased volumes of legitimate trade.
According to AEO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Report, the Programme achieved an average compliance rate of 85.45 per cent with the highest at 100 per cent and the lowest at 60 per cent.
“The evaluation applied rigorous methodologies to ensure objectivity, transparency, and alignment with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
“In the area of trade facilitation, AEO participation reduced average cargo clearance time from 168 hours to 41 hours, representing a 75.60% time saving.
“Company operating costs declined by 57.2 per cent while demurrage payments dropped by 90 per cent, limiting capital flight to foreign-owned port service providers and strengthening foreign exchange retention.
” Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11 per  through digitalisation, simplified procedures, and targeted risk management” the Customs declared in the AEO scorecard.
However, the Service singled out with Eight companies for commendation due to their integrity and compliance under the programme.
The companies include Coleman Technical Industries Limited, WACOT Rice Limited, ROMSON Oil Field Services Ltd, WACOT Limited, Chi Farms Ltd, CORMART Nigeria Ltd, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited and MTN Nigeria Communications Plc.
The Service lauded them for a cumulative voluntary remittance of over a billion naira into the Federation Account following their self-initiated transaction review and disclosure.
“These actions reflect the strengthening of post-clearance audit mechanisms and a growing culture of voluntary compliance within the trading community.
Nevertheless, the Service suspended a firm under the programme for its non- compliance and display of lack of integrity.
The suspended firm engaged in false declaration of consignments contrary to programme obligations.
“Consequently, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, directed the immediate suspension of the company’s AEO status in accordance with the AEO Guidelines, the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards, and Section 112 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
The NCS reiterated that the AEO Programme is founded on trust, transparency, and continuous compliance.
“While compliant operators will continue to benefit from expedited clearance and reduced inspection, appropriate sanctions will be applied where violations are established.
“The Service remains resolute in safeguarding national revenue, facilitating legitimate trade, and preserving the integrity and global credibility of Nigeria’s AEO framework” the NCS concluded in the report.
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Customs

Customs takes delivery, commissions 60- bed hospital donated by BUA Group in Bauchi

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter 
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, officially commissioned the Abdul Samad Rabiu / Nigeria Customs Service Hospital in Bauchi, a 60-bed healthcare facility constructed and donated by Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of ASR Africa and Founder/Executive Chairman of BUA Group.
The hospital, delivered through the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative, is expected to significantly expand healthcare access for Customs officers, their families and host communities across Zone ‘D’ and neighbouring states.
Describing the project as a strategic welfare investment, the CGC said the facility reflects the Service’s commitment to strengthening institutional capacity through improved personnel wellbeing.
 “This commissioning is a clear statement that the NCS prioritises the health and welfare of its officers,” he stated.
“A modern Service requires not only technology and operational reforms, but also strong social infrastructure that supports those who serve.”
In his remarks, the Managing Director/CEO of ASR Africa, Dr Ubon Udoh, emphasised the intervention’s sustainability focus.
“ASR Africa is committed to impact-driven philanthropy,” he said. “Our partnership with the NCS demonstrates what can be achieved when private sector commitment aligns with institutional reform and clear developmental goals.”
Also delivering a message on behalf of the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, the Secretary to the State Government, Aminu Hammayo, described the commissioning as a boost to the state’s healthcare ecosystem.
“This facility will complement existing public health institutions and improve access to specialised services,” he said.
 “It reflects the value of collaboration between government and responsible corporate entities.”
The hospital’s commissioning marks the culmination of a phased transformation that began in 2008 with the establishment of a basic health post at the Zone ‘D’ Headquarters, Bauchi.
It was subsequently upgraded to a clinic, and later a medical centre, before a 2023 partnership between the NCS and ASR Africa converted it into a 30-bed hospital, completed in April 2025.
Following a needs assessment, the CGC approved the remodelling and expansion of the facility into a 60-bed secondary healthcare facility with selected tertiary services.
Now equipped with seven clinical departments: Nursing Services, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pediatrics, Surgery, Internal Medicine, Pharmacy and Medical Laboratory, alongside Administrative and Health Information Management units, as well as Dental, Radiology and Nutrition units.
The hospital is projected to manage up to 300 patients per month during its first operational year.
Long-term expansion plans include advanced diagnostics such as CT scans and MRI, as well as specialised surgical procedures, positioning the facility as a referral centre across the North-East and parts of North-Central Nigeria.
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Customs

Ahead of Customs’ paperless operations in June, Comptroller Onyeka declares Tin Can Customs trade enabler

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
Barely few days after the Comptroller- General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, announced that the Customs will migrate to paperless operations in June, 2026, the Tin Can command of the Service has made an elaborate preparation to key into the digital platform.
Even though, the Customs High Command is yet to release the blue print for the take -off of the digital revolution in goods clearance, the Controller of Tin Can Customs, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, has declared that his command is ready to hit the ground running.
To this end, Comptroller Onyeka has declared Tin Can Island Customs as a trade enabler where seamless operations will be the order of the day.
While speaking with the maritime media on Tuesday, February 17th, 2026, Onyeka stated that as long as an importer or his agent makes an honest declaration and the consignment is not flagged, such goods will leave the customs control within the 48 hours clearance time being envisaged by the Customs under its paperless operations regime.
Comptroller Onyeka further disclosed that his command will aim at collecting collectable revenue instead of maximum revenue which often leaves no room for trader to handle logistics costs and other sundry charges.
“By focusing on collectable revenue, we ensure that the trader makes profit, return to the market and continues to contribute to the society.
“I want to be known as a trade enabler personified” Comptroller Onyeka enthused.
While making projection into the year 2026, the Customs chief said the command recorded a lot of positives in 2025 when it surpassed the revenue target for that year and when a record revenue collection of 26 billion was recorded in a single day, a feat that was unprecedented in the history of the command.
Onyeka said the command started the year 2026 on a good revenue trajectory with the collection of  N145. 9bn in January, representing a 25.3 percent increase when compared to the N116.4billon  collected in January 2025.
He acknowledged the support of the media for its “constructive reportage” which acted as a catalyst for the good performance of the command in 2025.
While soliciting for the continued support of journalists in 2026, Comptroller Onyeka said his officers have been well primed to confront the challenges ahead.
He dismissed the fears of possible network glitches which stakeholders expressed may hamper the success of the paperless operations, saying such eventuality will be surmounted just as the teething problems which plagued B’ Odogwu platform at take off were conquered.
“Despite the teething problems with B’Odogwu,  we have recorded tremendous success, so we are ready for the paperless operations.
“There could be network issues but I want to urge the trading public to build capacity.
“With that, you can complete container clearance entirely online, with no physical contact with customs officers.
“If your declaration is not flagged, the process will be seamless, there will be no reason to come and see anyone.
“We cannot guarantee a perfect system from day one, but those challenges will not stop us.
” The more traders declare correctly and honestly, the smoother this process becomes for everyone,” he declared while advising importers to palletise their consignments.
It could be recalled that while launching the Customs’ One- Stop- Shop(OSS) on Friday, February 13th, 2026, the Comptroller- General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed that the Service is advancing toward a fully paperless customs environment, with the first phase of digital clearance and documentation processes scheduled for rollout by the end of the second quarter of 2026.
“This platform is a deliberate shift from fragmented interventions to coordinated governance, from discretion to data, and from isolated actions to collective responsibility,” Adeniyi had declared.
 “Through this reform, we continue to build systems that support lawful trade, protect national interests and serve the economy with professionalism and integrity.” he concluded.
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