Funso  OLOJO, Editor

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has exposed what it described as a misunderstanding of Customs revenue collection procedures by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, which led to the allegation that the Service failed to remit N62.2 billion to the Federation Account.

In its 2019 audit report, the Auditor-General’s Office alleged that out of the N691.242 billion generated by the NCS in 2017, only N629.23 billion was remitted to the Federation Account, leaving an outstanding balance of N62.2 billion.

The allegation resulted in a query being issued to the Service and was subsequently escalated to the Senate Committee on Public Accounts for investigation.

Appearing before the committee during an investigative hearing on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, dismissed the allegation, insisting that the purported N62.2 billion under-remittance never existed.

According to him, the Auditor-General’s Office arrived at the figure through a misclassification of revenues and levies collected by the Service during the period under review.

Defending the financial integrity of the NCS, Adeniyi explained that while some levies collected by Customs are statutorily remitted into the Federation Account, others are earmarked for specific purposes and therefore do not form part of Federation Account revenue.

“The under-remittance of N62.2 billion levelled against Customs in the 2019 audit report was wrongly arrived at through the misclassification of levies collected by the Service,” Adeniyi told the committee.

“While most of the levies are collected and remitted into the Federation Account, others, including levies on the local production of wheat, textiles, wines and similar products, are not paid into the Federation Account.

The cumulative value of these special-purpose levies accounted for the alleged N62.2 billion under-remittance,” he explained.

Following the Customs chief’s clarification, which addressed the first three major audit queries raised against the Service, members of the committee expressed concern that such technical issues had been allowed to escalate to the level of a Senate investigation.

One of the committee members, Senator Babangida Hussaini, noted that the matter should ordinarily have been resolved during the preliminary audit stage.

Drawing from his experience as a former civil servant, Hussaini observed that the issues involved straightforward technical interpretations that could have been clarified without legislative intervention.

Satisfied with the explanations provided by the Customs management, the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, subsequently cleared the Nigeria Customs Service of the allegation of under-remitting N62.2 billion.

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The Customs Area Controller of the Ports Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command, Deputy Comptroller N.I. Miko, has reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to supporting the new leadership of the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), PTML Chapter, in achieving its objectives.

Deputy Comptroller Miko made the pledge on Thursday, June 18th, 2026, during the official handover ceremony of the association’s leadership at the PTML Customs Command.

At the event, Hajiya Nabila Nura Miko formally assumed office as Chairperson of the PTML Chapter of COWA, succeeding Mrs. Ifeoluwa Anani.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Customs Area Controller described the occasion as more than a mere leadership transition, noting that it symbolized continuity, service, and the enduring contributions of Customs officers’ spouses to the Nigeria Customs Service family.

He commended the immediate past Chairperson, Mrs. Ifeoluwa Anani, for her exemplary leadership and the successful execution of impactful projects during her tenure.

According to him, the achievements recorded under her administration strengthened the association and positively impacted members as well as the wider Customs community.

Beyond infrastructural and welfare initiatives, Deputy Comptroller Miko highlighted COWA’s critical role in fostering stability on the home front, thereby enabling Customs officers to effectively discharge their statutory responsibilities of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and anti-smuggling operations.

“While officers are engaged in the discharge of their official duties, COWA members ensure that our homes remain stable, peaceful, and productive.

“A stable home is the foundation of effective service delivery, and for this invaluable contribution, we remain profoundly grateful,” he stated.

Congratulating Hajiya Nabila Nura Miko on her assumption of office, the Controller expressed confidence in her ability to build upon the achievements of her predecessor and lead the association to greater accomplishments.

He further assured the association of the Command’s readiness to provide the necessary assistance within its capacity, including logistical, operational, and moral support, to facilitate the successful implementation of its programmes and initiatives.

In her acceptance remarks, the new Chairperson, Hajiya Nabila Nura Miko, expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to serve, describing her appointment as both an honour and a responsibility.

She paid glowing tribute to the National President of COWA, Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, commending her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the growth and development of the association nationwide.

According to her, Mrs. Adeniyi’s guidance and dedication have continued to inspire members and strengthen COWA’s role as a platform for empowerment, welfare support, and impactful community engagement.

Hajiya Miko also acknowledged the contributions of her predecessor, noting that her tenure was marked by dedication, integrity, and remarkable achievements that significantly strengthened the PTML Chapter.

“I am committed to consolidating on the successes of the previous administration while introducing new initiatives that will further promote the objectives of COWA and enhance the welfare of Customs officers’ wives,” she said.

Highlighting some of the notable programmes undertaken by the chapter in recent years, she cited the International Women’s Day Celebration, the COWA Healthy Wife, Wealthy Life Sensitisation Workshop, Breast Cancer Awareness Campaigns, End-of-Year Outreach Programmes, participation in the Green Border Initiative School Adoption Programme, and Environmental Sensitisation Lectures.

She described these initiatives as evidence of the chapter’s commitment to social impact and member development, adding that they provide a strong foundation for future growth.

Outlining her administration’s agenda, Hajiya Miko said the chapter would focus on three strategic pillars: welfare, through strengthened support systems for members and their families; empowerment, through expanded skills acquisition and economic development programmes; and community service, through sustained interventions in health, education, and environmental sustainability.

She called for the continued support, cooperation, and prayers of COWA members, PTML Command management, and other stakeholders, emphasizing that collective effort would be essential to achieving the chapter’s goals and advancing the association’s mission.

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the American Business Council (ABC) have reinforced their commitment to fostering stronger trade relations and resolving operational challenges affecting businesses through sustained collaboration between the public and private sectors.

This commitment was reaffirmed during a quarterly stakeholder engagement held on  June 16th, 2026 at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja,where both parties deliberated on measures to enhance trade facilitation,strengthen supply chain security, and deepen economic cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.

Addressing participants at the meeting, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, underscored the value of continuous stakeholder engagement, describing it as a critical driver of effective policy implementation and improved service delivery.

He disclosed that the engagement would be institutionalised as a regular feature of the Service’s operational calendar.

“It is our intention to institutionalize this engagement as a permanent feature of the Customs calendar because of the importance we attach to this kind of interaction,” Adeniyi stated.

The CGC also provided updates on several key trade facilitation initiatives being implemented by the Service, including the Advance Ruling System, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, Post Clearance Audit mechanisms, the B’Odogwu platform,as well as ongoing enhancements in scanning integration and cargo clearance processes designed to improve efficiency, transparency, and compliance.

Representatives of the American Business Council commended the reforms introduced by the Service and acknowledged the positive impact of the ongoing modernisation efforts.

They also advocated for faster resolution mechanisms to address lingering business concerns and further improve the operating environment for investors.

Speaking on behalf of the Council, ABC President, Nneka Enwereji, described the engagement as highly productive and lauded the Customs leadership for its proactive approach to facilitating trade and improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

“This session has been exceptional and clearly reflects your commitment to improving the ease of doing business.

“The Service has set a commendable standard, and there is much that can be learned from these initiatives,” she said.

The meeting further underscored the shared commitment of both organisations to strengthening dialogue, enhancing trade efficiency, and creating a more conducive environment for economic growth and investment