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Customs

Freight forwarders grieve over N12 trillion Customs revenue target for 2025.

–— lament target projection will kill trade facilitation, encourage smuggling, run agents out of business 

Funso OLOJO 
An air of melancholy has enveloped a cross section of freight forwarders who are plying their trade at the Lagos ports over the N12 trillion revenue target imposed on the Nigeria customs service by the National Assembly.
It could be recalled that recently, while presenting the 2024 performance of the agency, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, had announced an impressive revenue haul  of N6.105 trillion by the service in 2024, surpassing that year’s target of N5 .079 trillion by 20 percent.
Consequent on this, the service set N6.5 trillion as revenue target for 2025.
However, the  National Assembly Joint committee  on Customs thought differently.
Led by its Chairmen, Senator Sani Musa and James Faleke, the committee believed that the revenue projection of N6.5 trillion was conservative and encouraged the Customs to aim higher by generating a whooping sum of N12 trillion in 2025.
However, a cross section of freight forwarders who spoke to our reporter were alarmed by the humongous revenue target which they believed was not only unrealistic under the present sluggish Nigerian economy but said the target was a recipe for disaster.
In their unanimous opinions, the 12 trillion imposed on the customs by the National Assembly Joint committee will kill trade facilitation, run customs brokers out of business,scare away  importers  from Nigerian ports and create irresistible incentives for smuggling.
Alhaji Mukaila Abdullaziz, the former Secretary General of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents(ANLCA) decried the new revenue target which he believed was an ” open cheque for Customs to kill trade facilitation and go for maximum revenue” believing that smuggling will thrive as a lot of importers will be pressured by customs into resulting to the illicit trade.
” As a stakeholder, I do know that the issue of revenue and trade facilitation is the decision of each country. Each country determines what it really wants.
” It is very obvious that Nigerian government has shown that trade facilitation is not part of its programme.
” By fixing high revenue target, the government has clearly given a blanket cheque to Customs to kill trade facilitation and go for maximum revenue collection even when global trade stipulates that you don’t resort to the rule of the thumb to determine value of foods”
Alhaji Baba Usman, the Managing Director of Lungu Nigeria Limited and
a Customs broker who plies his trade in Tin Can Island Port believed the high revenue target is a way to send many freight forwarders out of business.
“What they did is a way to send everyone of us(freight forwarders) out of the market( business) because the rate of importation is very low, so where will customs get that kind of money?
” The duty they( customs) are imposing on the importers and their agents is too much.
” How can a 40 footer container be paying between 18 million to 10 million?
” They don’t even know what they are doing because they don’t want importers to import again and they don’t want agents to do their job.
“Again, as far as I am concerned, it is also the fault of the Customs because they will go to the Presidency and National Assembly and brag that they can collect so much revenue and this will automatically put pressure on the importers” the freight forwarder lamented.
Alhaji Usman however advised importers to mobilize themselves through their association and go to the National Assembly and the Ministry of Finance to complain about this high revenue target and let them realize how it will adversely affect import trade.
Otunba Olasupo Komolafe, another frontline freight forwarder and the Managing Director of Alkos Star Nigeria Limited also based in Tin Can Island Port, believed that Customs has the capacity to meet the N12 trillion revenue target only if the customs exchange rate comes down.
” But with the present Customs duty exchange rate of about N1, 541 or thereabout to a dollar, where will Customs get that amount of revenue from?
Otunba Komolafe noted that the high exchange rate has depressed the import business as fewer cargos are now coming in .
” But if the Central Bank of Nigeria( CBN) brings down the rate to, say, N1,000 to a dollar, I assure you that Customs will meet that target because importers will bring in high volume of cargo.
” But presently, because of the high exchange rate, an importer who used to bring in 10 containers has now reduced the numbers to three” the freight forwarder claimed.
Dr Segun Musa, the Vice President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders( NAGAFF) believed that the high revenue target set by the National Assembly for the Customs was a sad reflection of the poor perception of Nigerian leaders about the Nigerian economy.
He noted that developed economies do not lay much emphasis on revenue from imports to fix their economy more than internally generated revenue, saying high revenue from imports is a sign of sinking economy.
” The target is ridiculous. It is the developing economies that use such target as a barometer to measure revenue.
“No advanced economy will think of import duty target.It is ridiculous.
” Giving such ridiculous revenue target is an indication that government is lazy and cannot think outside the box by creating economy that could be sustained with internally generated revenue.
” By  implication, they are going to further kill the economy because it means the economy is based on importation which does not encourage production,
manufacturing.
” By giving customs this high revenue target, the government is asking the Customs to frustrate exportation and create more opportunities for revenue from importation.
” There is no economy desirous of growth that still depends on import duty.
“Any economy that wants to grow depends on internally- generated revenue through production, manufacturing.
” In a civilized country, if government declares high revenue from import duty, the citizens will burst into tears because that suggests that the economy has nose- dived.
“By realizing N6 .5 trillion by customs in 2024,  it suggested that our economy has nose- dived.
” Now they want to generate N12 trillion, that means they want to kill the economy.
” It shows those who are managing our economy lacks the requisite knowledge.
” It is also obvious that people in the National Assembly don’t know what they are doing.
” They are there looking for free money to finance the economy.
” Who told them that internally -generated revenue cannot finance our budget if they are able to build capacity”
Dr Musa alleged that 40 percent of Customs revenue are collected illegally just to meet its target.
” If I want to be proved wrong, let us post- audit what the Customs has so far collected.
” Most of the value of the goods from where this revenue are being collected are value based on window – shopping prices.
The NAGAFF Chieftain alleged that Customs will just go on Internet and get window prices and fix it on all the commodity just to jack up their revenue which is illegal.
” It is criminal to use Internet value to declare revenue for government”, he alleged.
“Am just wondering if this revenue target is sustainable when the economy has nosed dive and our naira heavily devalued, where would importers get money to import and without high level of importation, where will the customs generate the revenue target” the NAGAFF Chieftain queried.
” The only way which customs can come close to meeting the target is through penalties because I know they are going to clamp various frivolous penalties on importers and their agents which I believe is unreasonable” he concluded.
Dr Boniface Aniebonam, the Founder of NAGAFF, was more concerned with transparency of customs in the value they give the goods than the 12 trillion revenue target.
” It is not about Customs having capacity to generate that volume of revenue but the issue is to what extent can people transacting business with customs could be compliant with import and export regulations?
” There is no magic about customs procedures. Under destination inspection, you are expected to make a genuine declaration for customs purposes.
” In that regard,the customs has the mandate to check your declaration and confirm whether it is appropriate or not.
” If it is ok, they will allow you to go , if not, they would address it.
” I think the only problem we are having with customs as a matter of fact is the issue of transparency.
“What I mean is that these values by Customs, which are subjective, must be make public so that the trading public will know.
“For instance, as regards vehicles, the problem has died down there because the valuation has make it known to importers and their agents what to pay.
” As regards the revenue target given to customs, I want you to know that government needs a lot of money to meet up their mandate in terms of infrastructural development.
” Even when there seems to be argument between the importers and the customs on the real amount to pay on a cargo, the customs has a procedure that will not delay the cargo while the argument goes on.
” This is by the process whereby the customs asks you to enter into a  bank bond while the argument continues and the cargo will be asked to go.
” For me, am not bothered about the issue of revenue target, it is a budgetary matter.
” It is a working tool by which government drives the economy.
” But what we should be concerned about, as I said earlier, is to what extent will the importer and his agent be compliant with customs regulations.
” People should also know that Customs cannot facilitate illegitimate trade if the owner of the goods is not compliant with customs regulations” Aniebonam said.
He stated that Customs has the mandate to facilitate trade and there is a consequence for impeding trade but said government will not get the revenue due for it if people don’t come forward with their cargo.
He reiterated his stand that nobody should bother himself with the issue of revenue target as customs is doing its best to encourage trade.
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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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