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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

Beer merchants panic over tax stamp policy, seeks solace from Customs

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter 
The proposed Tax Stamp policy of the Federal government has expectedly activated panic mode among beer industry leaders who have expressed anxiety of possible escalation in the production and consumer costs if the policy is eventually implemented.
Though, there is an ongoing dialogue between stakeholders and the government to manage the economic impact of the policy, the leaders of the brewing sector had sought more clarification on the policy from the Nigeria customs service when they engaged with the Comptroller- General of the Service, Adewale Adeniyi on Monday, May 11th, 2026.
The brewers have come to discuss the economic impact the proposed policy will have on their brewing business.
At the roundabout discussion, Adewale had emphasised the need for credible data, inclusive consultations and sustained stakeholder engagement in Nigeria’s ongoing fiscal and regulatory reforms.
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‎Speaking during the engagement, CGC Adeniyi stressed that policy decisions affecting strategic sectors of the economy must be guided by verifiable data and a clear understanding of prevailing market realities.
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“‎We need to have a clear understanding of what constitutes illicit trade. Some of these products are legitimately manufactured in Nigeria.
“In other jurisdictions,customs administrations are already engaging in discussions around how such products find their way across borders and into unauthorised markets” the CGC stated.
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‎He further underscored the importance of accuracy and credibility in industry data presented to policymakers, noting that sound policy formulation depends on reliable information.
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‎“One thing we need to understand more clearly is where some of these estimates came from.
“When we are making policy decisions of this nature, the credibility and accuracy of data must never be in doubt,” he added.
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‎Highlighting the Service’s ongoing modernisation efforts, Adeniyi noted that the NCS has continued to introduce reforms aimed at improving trade facilitation and enhancing operational efficiency across the supply chain.
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‎“We have consistently introduced initiatives aimed at facilitating trade. We introduced the Advance Ruling. We introduced the Authorised Economic Operator programme.
“We also rolled out several reforms on our own initiative, not because we were under pressure, but because we recognised the need to improve trade facilitation,” he said.
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‎On the proposed tax stamp initiative, the CGC clarified that consultations with stakeholders are still ongoing and that no final decision has been reached regarding implementation.
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‎“As far as I am concerned, consultations are still ongoing. If this initiative is legitimate and beneficial, then we all have a responsibility to ensure that we are heading in the right direction,” he stated.
‎He also encouraged private-sector operators to maintain constructive engagement with relevant government agencies to ensure that any eventual policy framework balances revenue protection with industrial sustainability and economic growth.
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‎Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Chief Executive Officer of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Girish Sharma, said the visit was aimed at presenting the industry’s position on the proposed tax stamp framework, which he noted has generated considerable discussion within the sector.
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‎Sharma acknowledged the importance of regulatory controls but maintained that the beer industry remains one of the most structured and highly regulated sectors in Nigeria, with limited exposure to counterfeiting risks.
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‎“We fully understand the purpose and importance of tax stamps, particularly in industries where counterfeiting is a major concern.
“However, within the beer sector, counterfeiting is minimal,” Sharma said.
‎He noted that existing compliance and monitoring systems already provide adequate visibility across production and distribution channels.
‎“From an end-to-end compliance perspective, we believe there is already sufficient transparency and oversight,” he added.
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‎Sharma also highlighted the industry’s contribution to employment generation, government revenue and economic growth, cautioning that additional regulatory measures should be carefully designed to avoid unintended impacts on the sector and the wider economy.
The 2026 tax stamp policy in Nigeria is a regulatory, security-focused, and mandatory track-and-trace system imposed by the government on excisable goods—including alcohol, tobacco, and sugar-sweetened beverages—to curb illicit trade and bolster revenue.
The policy, aimed at reducing smuggling and counterfeiting, requires high-security physical labels or digital codes to be affixed to products.
The policy applies to excisable products such as tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks, with specialized stamps for textile imports, such as the Red vs. Green stamps.
 Manufacturers must ensure compliance. Under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, compliance is required, and failure to stamp documents within 30 days can lead to severe penalties, including a 10% penalty fee plus interest.
While the government aims to enhance revenue, manufacturers, particularly in the brewing sector, have raised concerns that the policy could significantly diminish profitability and increase consumer prices, with potential to create 100% loss in profits if implemented as proposed.
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Customs

At UNILORIN conference, Adeniyi advocates for human- driven technology for balanced developmental efforts

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter 
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‎The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to responsible digital transformation and innovation driven governance during his keynote address at the 4th Biennial International Conference organised by the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, University of Ilorin, in collaboration with the Faculty of Philology, RUDN University, Russia.
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‎The conference, themed “Disruptive Technology: Human and Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Economy,” was held on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, at the University of Ilorin Main Auditorium.
The event attracted academics, communication experts, technology professionals, researchers, policymakers, and heads of government agencies to deliberate on the growing influence of digital innovation and artificial intelligence on governance, education, trade, and economic development.
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‎In his address, CGC Adeniyi stressed the importance of balancing technological advancement with human responsibility, noting that the future of the digital economy depends not only on artificial intelligence but also on ethics, leadership, and institutional capacity.
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‎“The digital age is, in the end, a human story, and the real test of our generation is not how powerful our machines become, but how wisely our societies choose to use them,” Adeniyi stated.
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‎He observed that disruptive technologies such as digital payments, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and smart systems have already reshaped global operations, adding that the world is no longer preparing for disruption but actively functioning within it.
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‎According to him, government institutions must ensure that technological innovation strengthens transparency, public trust, and operational efficiency without compromising accountability.
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‎Drawing from the Nigeria Customs Service’s experience, the CGC highlighted ongoing digital transformation initiatives, particularly the deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System, which has significantly improved trade facilitation, cargo processing, and inter-agency collaboration.
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‎He disclosed that the platform generated over N230 billion at the PTML Command within its first eight months of deployment, while cargo clearance timelines for compliant traders have been reduced to less than eight hours.
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‎“The partnership, not the rivalry, between human and artificial intelligence is where the real value lies,” he said, adding that technology delivers optimal results when guided by strong institutional values and ethical standards.
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‎Adeniyi further noted that although artificial intelligence enhances efficiency, risk management, and decision-making, human expertise and leadership remain indispensable to effective governance and enforcement.
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‎“Technology changes processes  leadership and expertise still deliver the results,” he added.
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‎The CGC also called for stronger collaboration among universities, research institutions, and public agencies to develop practical solutions to emerging digital and governance challenges.
He urged academic institutions to move beyond theoretical learning and play a more active role in innovation and policy development.
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‎He identified areas where academia can support Customs modernisation efforts, including digital compliance systems, AI-driven risk management, public trust communication strategies, and the governance of cross border data flows.
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‎Adeniyi further advocated for the development of digital governance frameworks tailored to African realities, legal systems, and developmental priorities, emphasising that technological advancement must remain accountable to the people it serves.
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‎On the sidelines of the conference,the CGC engaged with heads of government agencies, scholars, communication professionals, traditional rulers, and institutional leaders on opportunities for collaboration in digital innovation, research, community development, and capacity building.
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Customs

Oshoba, Apapa Customs boss, charges officers on discipline, revenue, trade facilitation

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter 

The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, has charged officers and men of the Command to intensify revenue generation, strengthen anti-smuggling operations and uphold professionalism and discipline in the discharge of their duties.

Comptroller Oshoba gave the charge during the Command’s monthly parade held on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, at the Command headquarters in Apapa, Lagos.

The Area Controller emphasized the need for greater operational interventions across terminals to block revenue leakages while ensuring seamless trade facilitation and timely cargo clearance.

“Officers must protect the reputation of the Service. That is why any delay by any officer concerning any consignment will not be tolerated.

“Even at the gates. If a consignment is duly exited, there should be no delay at the gates,” he stated.

He also urged officers to remain accessible and professional in their dealings with stakeholders.

“You must make yourself accessible to our stakeholders and we must avoid actions capable of tarnishing the good image of the Service and the good work being done by the CGC and members of his management.

“We should not be seen as slugs in the wheels of progress,” Oshoba added.

The CAC further called for heightened vigilance against smuggling activities, especially illicit drugs and prohibited items, while warning officers against misconduct and improper dressing.

Highlight of the parade was the recognition of outstanding Officers and Units for exemplary service.

Assistant Comptroller of Customs Ismail Mohammed emerged as the Most Outstanding Officer of the Month, while CSC Augustine Ondoma, ASCI Bukola Olaleye and IC Olalekan Salawu were recognized for professionalism, innovation and punctuality respectively.

Similarly, officers of APM Terminal received the Excellence Award on Enforcement, while Officers of ECO SUPPORT Terminal received the Excellence Award on Revenue Generation.

Comptroller Oshoba explained that the award initiative was introduced to encourage hard work, excellence, professionalism and healthy competition among Officers and Units of the Command.

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