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Customs

Adeniyi reads riot act to newly inaugurated  ACTU members in Abuja as  Customs partners NIIA to train senior officers in global trade

Funso OLOJO 
As part of ongoing efforts to enhance integrity and transparency in Customs operations, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), on Thursday, 25 July 2024, read a riot act to the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) members at the Nigeria Customs Headquarters in Abuja shortly after the inauguration.
This initiative follows the recent partnership between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs (DCG) in charge of Enforcement, Investigation, and Inspection, Aliyu Alajogun, the CGC emphasised the importance of tackling corruption and other related offences head-on.
Addressing the ICPC delegation, DCG Alajogun stated, “We are tasked with ensuring that our operations are free from corruption and that we uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct in all our dealings to ensure a far-reaching impact on our economic stability and international reputation.”
He urged the newly inaugurated members to adhere to the standards of their new roles, adding, “You are the frontline defenders against corruption and environmental degradation.
” Each of you has been selected for your expertise, integrity, and dedication to public service. Together, you will lead initiatives that foster accountability and restore public trust.”
He continued, “As you embark on this journey, always remember that your efforts contribute to the Nigeria Customs Service and the larger objective of preserving our environment for future generations.
“I urge you to embrace collaboration with other stakeholders, leverage technology, and enact innovative strategies to combat environmental crimes.”
On behalf of the ICPC, Olusegun Adigun, the Acting Director of the System Study and Review Department, praised the Comptroller-General of Customs for his commitment to enhancing the transparency and integrity of the Service through this partnership, which led to the inauguration of the new ACTU members.
“I must commend the Comptroller-General of Customs for today’s inauguration,” he remarked.
“It is hoped that this event will empower the unit to deliver on its mandate, which includes periodic staff training on anti-corruption and the examination of system processes.”
Adigun charged NCS Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit members to maintain integrity, exercise their duties responsibly, and avoid any form of oppression as they fulfil the strategic roles expected of them.
Expressing the Commission’s gratitude to the Nigeria Customs Service for making the event a reality, he added, “We hope that achieving our collective vision will assist in building strong institutions for the overall good of our great nation.”
Corroborating this, the newly inaugurated ACTU Chairman, Comptroller of Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), Comptroller Emmanuel Osogba, pledged to implement policies aimed at enhancing the transparency of Customs operations across the Service’s formations while maintaining NCS standards.
“Our focus will be on establishing clear guidelines for transparency, enhancing mechanisms for reporting misconduct, and engaging with different departments and units within the Service to foster trust and participation,”
Comptroller Osogba said. “Together, we can create a legacy of integrity and transparency that engenders a positive perception among the public and improves our rating on the transparency and integrity index—a legacy that future generations will cherish.”
The newly inaugurated ACTU members took the Oath of Allegiance, administered by Barrister Nkem Ezenwa, Director of the Anti-Corruption Unit. Their tenure will span three years, after which a new regime will be appointed.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), has taken a significant step towards enhancing the country’s trade and investment landscape with the launch of the Bashir Adeniyi Centre for International Trade and Investment.
The centre, named after the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, was inaugurated in Lagos at the NIIA on Thursday, 24 October 2024.
The CGC expressed optimism about the centre’s potential, saying, “The establishment of this Centre comes at an opportune time as Nigeria is repositioning itself in the global trade environment. “As we continue to advance these initiatives, I envision that this Centre will evolve into a comprehensive national think tank focused on international trade and investment.”
In his welcome address, the Director General of NIIA, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, acknowledged that the centre will serve as a finishing school for senior customs officers.
“Today, we are very pleased as an Institute to announce to the world that we now have the Bashir Adeniyi Centre for International Trade and Investment. This centre will serve as a finishing school for senior officers in customs, offering senior executive courses that will be certificated. Because this is the NIIA, we will do this as a global affair, properly immersing the Nigeria Customs Service in the framework of the World Customs Organisation,” he stated.
The event featured a panel discussion with eminent Nigerians, including Donald Duke and Dr Chinyere Almona, examining the challenges and solutions for Nigeria’s economy regarding trade and investment.
Speaking to reporters about the benefits of the centre, the CGC emphasised its importance, saying, “We have a strong commitment to our mandate of trade facilitation, among other things, so we believe that the centre will be a centre of excellence in building capacity and, most importantly, creating awareness about the necessity of conducting international trade. Trade brings prosperity, and we hope that this centre will foster prosperity through trade.”
The CGC officially unveiled the centre and toured the facility.
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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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