Customs

Uncertainty over Customs’ N3 trillion revenue target for 2022

CGC, Ali

—-collects N2.1 trillion in 10 months

—sacks 2,000 corrupt officers in 7 years

The Eyewitness reporter

Uncertainty hovers on the chances of the Nigeria Customs Service meeting its 2022 revenue target of N 3.019 trillion due to the slur in the importation of goods and other policies of the government which have stifled imports.

Two months into the end of the year, the service has managed to gross about N2.143 trillion in revenue from January to October, leaving a balance of about one trillion Naira.

Even though the Comptroller General of Customs, Col.Hameed Ali(rtd) said the service would meet the target by the end of the year, but analysts said that the Customs helmsman’s tone lacks enthusiasm and confidence.

“We were given a target of N3.019 trillion for the year 2022 and we have so far collected N2.143 trillion so, we are working towards making sure that we get to the target.

” The collection of telecommunication and carbonated drinks tax is part of the target given to us but up till now, we have not started collecting that, which we will do.

“But we are working very assiduously to make sure that we block all leakages and by the end of December, we will report to Nigerians that we have met our over three trillion naira target,” he said.

While speaking during the weekly presidential media chat in Abuja Thursday, Ali said that the service will do all that it could to meet the target.

Similarly, the Customs’ strongman revealed that the service has axed 2,000 officers in the last seven years for compromising behaviours.

He however warned the general public to be wary of being scammed by such dismissed officers.

Ali further disclosed that smuggling activities have taken more dangerous dimensions but assured that his men and officers have also stepped up their game to beat the perpetrators of the illicit practice to their game.

According to him, the organisation is already conducting an intensive patrol around the borders, in collaboration with security agencies to realize the goal.

“We have agreed on the constitution of what we call the Joint Border Patrol Team.

“Today, we have a conglomeration of the Army, Airforce, and all other security agencies that have together under one roof to ensure the security of our borders.

” The team comprises both the military and paramilitary, with Customs as the leading agency because we are the gatekeepers in this operation.

“We have about four sectors from Cross River State up to Yobe. We are not covering between Borno and parts of the Adamawa States because of the ongoing military operation there.

“Therefore, the military has asked us to keep off those areas because they are handling that and until the areas are secured, we will not be able to go there. ”

Ali added that technology will also be deployed to further secure the borders, in line with current global best practices.

“Secondly, we are trying to increase our arsenal by increasing our capacity to be able to fight the smugglers and ensure we monitor our borders.

.”The modernisation process that we are putting in place, otherwise called e-Custom, has an inbuilt system for border monitoring which will be linked to ICT systems and cloud information.

“We are working with the Airforce to make sure that we monitor our borders and ensure effective control.

“We intend to have more aircraft as well as talking with the Army to train our officers to learn to para drop so that they will be able to intercept the actions of smugglers,” he added.

The Customs Boss said Nigeria is working closely with her neighbours to fortify the borders.

“We are making sure that we work closely with our neighbour as that is the best way of solving this problem.

“If we have a good understanding of our neighbouring countries and we work based on the ECOWAS protocol, all these things will stop.

“Between us and Nigeria Republic, we have almost a perfect system in place and if there is a problem, it is only minimal cases of smuggling.

“Where we problem is on our borders with the Benin Republic but we are working with them to see if we can create a synergy to be able to protect ourselves and protect each other,” Ali stated.

On seized goods, he said the Customs Service gives food items to displaced persons and the needy, based on the directives of President Muhammadu Buhari.

” He said they distribute the food items in conjunction with the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration (NAFDAC).

“What we do with the seized goods such as rice, tomatoes, and the rest, are given to the needy.

“In the past, we either sold or destroyed them. But with the coming of this administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, being a compassionate leader has given directives.

“So, all perishable goods seized by the Customs are now given to the needy.

“Primarily we were giving them to the displaced persons because before the advent of the flood and banditry, the displaced persons were the most pronounced people in need but now the President has mandated the Nigeria Customs Service to ensure that all perishable items are given to these people to alleviate their suffering. ”

On the automation of the service, Ali also revealed that the process is in progress which he said will lead to the electronic processing of goods and taxes.

He said when all activities of the Customs are fully automated, it will enhance revenue generation and prevent the import of illicit goods into Nigeria as well as monitor the country’s borders.

He said the automation is a 20-year project that will cost about 3.8 billion dollars to actualise.

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Customs

Kaila, Seme Customs CAC, seeks collaboration with stakeholders to achieve seemless trade along border corridor

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The new Area Controller of the Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, has reached out to traditional rulers and sister agencies at the border communities to ensure the achievement of his mandate of detection, determent of smuggling, revenue generation and trade facilitation along the border corridor.

To achieve these objectives, Comptroller Kaila went on tour of the communities within the border corridor where he met and sought for the support and cooperation of major critical stakeholders, including the traditional rulers and sister agencies.

According to him, his objective was to eradicate trade hindrances affecting free movement of goods and services along the Lagos-Abidjan business corridor.

Speaking at the Palace of Oba Akran of Badagry Kingdom, the Customs Area Controller condoled with the royal family and entire people of Badagry kingdom on the passing away of HRM De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi I who was a well recognized traditional ruler across the border communities.

“”The purpose of my visit is to introduce myself as the Area Controller of Seme Command and to equally seek your royal blessing and support to achieve the core mandate of the service.

“Our priority remains to generate revenue, facilitate trade, and suppress smuggling.

“And we in the Customs believe that without due support and co-operation from traditional rulers, we can not have effective performance of our functions as Customs officers” he said

The King Regent, Chief Abel Ogunbiyi, who described Kaila as the son of the soil, added that “We have listened to your request.

” Know that Badagry is a very peaceful town, and we will keep collaborating with you in safeguarding our borders and in promoting legitimate trade, ” he stated.

Comptroller Kaila also visited the Onibereko of Ibereko Awori-Kingdom, where the monarch, Oba Israel Okoya, signifies his commitment to fostering the service relationship with residents living within the border communities

“I welcome you to Badagry and be rest assured that I will always talk to my people whenever the need is required.

” In our town, our youth does not engage in illegalities as I have no other choice than to assist you in achieving the government mandate, ” he mentioned

While at the Palace of Alapa of Apa Kingdom, the king HRM Oba Oyekan Ajose Ilufemiloye commended and described the CAC, Comptroller Kaila as a professional, seasoned and well respected officer as described by indigenes of border communities.

“I promise you that I will always assist you in my area for anything that you need.

“Our border here has been peaceful because our youth always listen to the elders, and I know with your presence here, things will change for the better, ” he said

In his efforts to consolidate on existing synergy between sister security agencies, Kaila also visited Headquarters of 653 Nigerian Air force base, Ahanve-Badagry.

The Commanding Officer, Group Captain Hungruy Medugu,expressed the readiness of the formation to always support the command in achieving its mandate.

“Our collaboration has been key to various successes we have recorded in our area of responsibility.

” Your presence here strengthens existing bonds of inter-agency collaboration between both Services, and we will not take it for granted ,” he said

The Area Controller then ended his familirisation tour with seeking for mutual cooperation with a visit to the Republic of Benin Police office, showing his readiness to eradicate hindrances affecting the free movement of goods and services across the border.

Customs

SIFAX Group sponsors Customs feature film “Novara”

– a story- telling movie on the sacrifices, resilience of customs officers in safeguarding Nigeria’s borders

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter

In a landmark evening that brought together the worlds of commerce, security, and storytelling, SIFAX Group was prominently recognised as a major sponsor at the star-studded premiere of ‘Novara’, the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) debut feature film, held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Viva Cinemas, Jara Mall, Ikeja, Lagos.

The high-profile event, which drew senior customs officials, industry leaders, members of the diplomatic community, and entertainment figures, marked an unprecedented moment in Nigeria’s institutional storytelling, with the NCS leveraging the power of cinema to illuminate the bravery and sacrifices of its officers in the relentless fight against smuggling.

Representing SIFAX Group at the event was Mrs Ololade Dawodu, Head of Clearing and Forwarding at SIFAX Shipping, who delivered an address that drew a direct line between the film’s narrative and the realities of maritime operations at Nigeria’s ports.

She noted that the story resonates strongly with real-life operations at Tin Can Island Port, one of Nigeria’s busiest commercial gateways and a critical hub within SIFAX Group’s operational landscape.

“For those of us in the industry, the sight of cargo ships and port operations is familiar but this film takes us beyond the surface, revealing the high-stakes reality that underpins global logistics.” she said.

Dawodu emphasised that the story goes beyond entertainment, serving as a tribute to the courage and resilience of officers who protect the nation’s economic lifelines.

She pointed to the film’s portrayal of loss and sacrifice as a sobering reminder of the human cost tied to security enforcement.

“At SIFAX Group, we believe that a secure maritime sector is the backbone of a thriving economy. Without security, trade cannot flourish.” she stated.

SIFAX Group’s partnership with the initiative did not go unnoticed.

The film’s producer, Agozie Ugwu, and the Superintendent of Customs 1, Mr Okpanachi Adejoh, both publicly commended SIFAX Group’s contributions to the project’s success, describing the Group’s sponsorship as instrumental in bringing the story to the screen at the scale it deserved.

The premiere concluded on a reflective note, with guests commending both the storytelling and the collaboration between the creative industry and key institutions.

For SIFAX Group, the evening reinforced a clear message: sustainable growth in trade and logistics depends not only on infrastructure and expertise, but also on unwavering commitment to security.

About ‘Novara’

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Agozie Ugwu and featuring veteran Nollywood actors Francis Duru and Ray Adeka, Novara tells the story of a dedicated customs officer navigating the dangers of undercover operations, while also shedding light on the personal sacrifices made by law enforcement personnel.

Through its narrative, the film highlights the often-unseen risks involved in safeguarding Nigeria’s borders.

The film follows Superintendent Panshak Asiya, an undercover Customs officer who risks everything, including the safety of his family, to dismantle one of the country’s most dangerous smuggling syndicates.

Beyond its gripping action sequences, the film explores themes of love, faith, sacrifice, and the unseen human cost of law enforcement.

Customs

Customs seeks strong commitment to war against narcotics trafficking in Nigeria

Funso OLOJO, Editor

–renews partnership with NDLEA for effective operations

The Comptroller- General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, has warned that weak and uncoordinated institutional fight against drug trafficking may undermine Nigeria’ s standing in international community.

Leading a high- powered Customs delegation to a strategic meeting with the leadership of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) held at the headquarters of the anti- narcotics agency on Monday, April 27th, 2026, Adeniyi said that Nigeria must show strong commitment, clinical enforcement and transparency in its fight against narcotics trafficking in order to enhance the confidence of international community.

Addressing the joint meeting between the top- ranked Customs officers and the leadership of the NDLEA led by its Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), the Customs boss stated that narcotics trafficking is in the front burner of discussions at international fora and the West African corridor is under serious scrutiny.

Adeniyi further declared that the fight against drug trafficking now goes beyond domestic enforcement, warning that Nigeria’s credibility before international partners depends largely on how effectively local institutions work together.

“I came here directly from international engagements in Europe and Asia, and at every table, narcotics trafficking remained a major issue. The West African corridor is under serious watch.”

“The agreements we sign abroad will only carry value when our operational credibility at home supports them.

“If intelligence shared with Nigeria is not pursued to interception, prosecution and destruction, our standing is weakened,” CGC Adeniyi said.

The Customs boss disclosed that the Service had continued to make major seizures and handovers to NDLEA, particularly through the Apapa Command and other operational formations.

Adeniyi, however, stressed that interdiction alone was not enough, calling for stronger post-seizure accountability, regular prosecution updates and transparent destruction procedures.

“Interdiction is only the first act of enforcement, not the last. Where narcotics are transferred but not promptly destroyed, where prosecution advances without feedback, and where exhibits are separated from originating officers, then the chain of enforcement is incomplete.”, he declared.

The Customs boss proposed a fresh framework between both agencies, including joint destruction of seized drugs where suspects are not arrested, periodic case status reports, coordinated court appearances and standing liaison channels at command level.

“We have not come here to apportion blame. We have come to design the next phase of a partnership that has carried Nigeria this far and must now carry it further,” the CGC declared.

Responding, the NDLEA Chairman described the concerns raised by Customs as legitimate and timely, assuring that the agency remains committed to transparency, accountability and professional cooperation.

“The concerns relating to post-transfer accountability, prosecution outcomes and disposal processes are valid concerns.

“We must move beyond ceremonial handovers to a structured and mandatory reporting framework under which NDLEA provides formal updates on investigations, prosecutions and final disposal of Customs-originated seizures.” Marwa noted.

The NDLEA boss proposed the immediate establishment of a joint committee to review grey areas in the existing Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) signed by both agencies under previous administrations.

According to him, the committee would recommend clearer procedures and, where necessary, draft a supplementary agreement for approval by both leaderships, stating, “Today’s meeting is timely. It gives us the opportunity to discuss areas of concern frankly and strengthen our collaboration.”