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Customs

National Assembly summons Minister of Finance, CGC over suspension of 4% FOB Levy.

– orders immediate resumption of collection.

–directs customs to stop collection of 1% CISS, 7 % levies.

— queries Wale Edun over delay in Customs’ budget approvals 
Funso OLOJO 
The joint committee on Customs and Tariff of the National Assembly has summoned the Minster of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi over the suspension of the 4 percent Free-on- Board(FOB) levy on imports.
It could be recalled that the Nigeria Customs Service introduced the collection of the levy in February, 2025 but hastily suspended its collection few days later due to the outrage it generated among the stakeholders.
However, the National Assembly committee have now asked the Customs and its supervising Minister to come and explain the reason for the suspension.
The committee also frowned at the Minister of Finance over the delay in the approvals of Customs projects and what they described as ” abysmal performance of capital components of the 2025 budget of the Customs.
The duo appeared before the committee on Monday, July 21st, 2025 at the committee room of the National Assembly.
The Chairman of the Joint committee on Customs and Tariff, Senator Isah Jubrin,  asked the Minister to explain the reason why the 4 percent Free-on-Board (FOB) levy was suspended by the Customs despite the committee’s earlier resolution on the matter.
Senator Jubril was also crossed at the continued collection of the 1 percent CISS and the 7 per cent cost of collection by the Customs which he said are not backed by the Act of Parliament.
” We passed the resolution that the NCS should stop the collection of 1 percent CISS and 7 percent cost of collection as these collections are not backed by Act of Parliament.” he declared.
The Senator however ordered the Customs to immediately suspend the collection of these two charges but resume the collection of the 4 percent Free-on-Board (FOB)levy to fund its modernisation and digitization programmes.
Leke Abejide, Chairman, House of Representatives committee on Customs and Excise, reiterated the position of Senator Jubrin, asking the Customs to stop whatever they are collecting as the 7 per cent cost of collection and leave it for government to have more resources.
He said henceforth, it is going to be “work and eat” arrangement for customs as it is what they get that they would spend.
” The Nigeria Customs Service is going to drop what they are taking from government money which is 7 per cent cost of collection and leave it for government to have more resources to use.
“While they go and collect the 4 percent Free-on-Board (FOB) Levy .
” It’s what they work for, they get” declared Hon. Abejide.
The Committee therefore adopted a resolution on the matter.
” The collection of 4 percent Free-on-Board (FOB) levy is immediate as has been resolved here today.
” We also want a monthly report of the implementation of the FOB levy collection” Senator Jubrin declared.
The committee also queried Minister Edun on why he had to delay the release of funds to Customs to fund its capital projects which they viewed its performance in 2024 budget as not satisfactory.
“Approvals are pending in his office(Minister)and some of the documents have been there since August, last year.
” Up till today, there has been no response from his office, we need to know why” Senator Jubrin accused the Minister.
However, Minister Edun explained that the Customs projects awaiting the approval of the Federal Executive Council(FEC) are not more than 10 and are worth about N500b which he said are not big enough to upset the capital projects execution of the Customs.
” The Customs projects that are awaiting FEC approval are approximately 10 worth N500 billion.
” I am not sure how that will actually move the needle” the Minister told the committee.
The Minister revealed that government would soon commence the implementation of National Single Window project which he said was one of the legacy projects of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to enhance trade facilitation, port efficiency and revenue leakages.
” We shall soon implement one of the legacy projects of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and that is the National Single Window (NSW).
” It will take care of trade facilitation, it will take care of Port community system and also take care of leakages in revenue and provide speed and efficiency to international trade transactions that will further complement others measures” revealed Mr Edun.
In another breath, CGC Adeniyi explained the status of rice importation to the committee.
” The status of rice is still that rice is not banned 100 percent.
” Importation of rice is only restricted.
It is not allowed to be brought in to the country through the land borders” the CGC explained.
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Customs

Seme Customs in revenue windfall as it collects N3.5 billion in February.

Funso OLOJO,Editor 
The Seme command of the Nigeria Customs Service has continued to sustain its revenue momentious
trajectory under the leadership of its Area Controller, Comptroller Wale Adenuga.
According to revenue statistics made available to our reporter by the command, it has garnered a princely sum of N3,480,970,924.67 in revenue for the month of February 2026, with the month still ongoing.
Comptroller Adenuga made this disclosure during an interactive session at a stakeholders’ engagement meeting with cross-border traders ,farmers and stakeholders organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Agricultural Trade Programme and GIZ International.
The event, held in Badagry on Wednesday, February 25th, 2026, was themed “Empowering Cross-Border Traders through Trade Information Desk for Agricultural Traders”.
Comptroller Adenuga noted the revenue figure represents a remarkable improvement over the N743,698,652.16 recorded in February 2025 which he attributed to the seamless trade facilitation process adopted at the Command.
 “For this February that has not yet ended, we have already generated N3,480,970,924.67 as against N743,698,652.16 revenue generated in February 2025″ Adenuga told the stakeholders.
He said the feat was a reflection of
the flow of trade which he believed was getting better as people are building greater confidence in the Seme–Krake corridor.
Comptroller Adenuga assured traders and stakeholders that the significant reduction in checkpoints along the Seme–Gbaji axis is the direct result of strong collaborative efforts with other security agencies operating within the corridor.
 He disclosed that only Agbara and Gbaji remain the officially Customs approved and sanctioned checkpoints along this Lagos-Abidjan corridor.
The Customs Chief further attributed the noticeable decline in crime rates along the Seme-Gbaji axis to the positive outcomes of monthly joint border security meetings involving all agencies at the border post.
These regular inter-agency engagements, according to him, have strengthened better cooperation, improved intelligence sharing and more effective responses to security challenges, thereby creating a safer and more enabling environment for cross-border trade.
Adenuga declared that while revenue generation and trade facilitation remain key priorities, the Command’s mandate extends firmly to combating illicit activities.
The CAC highlighted recent enforcement successes, including the interception of a Toyota Highlander vehicle conveying 22 packages of cocaine with an estimated street value exceeding N1 billion, a feat he claimed was made possible based on very  credible information shared by the CGC.
In addition, during February 2026 alone, the Command has seized 1,000 bags of 50kg parboiled rice, underscoring its unwavering commitment to suppressing smuggling and protecting Nigeria’s economic borders.
Comptroller Adenuga reiterated the vigilance and commitment of the operatives of the Command in working closely with stakeholders, traders, farmers, sister security agencies and regional partners to improve the momentum of trade and security along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.
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Customs

Apapa Customs, Navy deepen partnership for seamless cargo movement along Apapa port corridor 

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter 
The Customs Area Controller (CAC),
Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, has solicited sustained support of the Western Naval Command to ensure seamless cargo movement along the Apapa port corridor.
Comptroller Oshoba made the call on  Wednesday, February 25th, 2026, while on a courtesy visit to Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command.
The visit was meant to deepen operational collaboration in line with the three policy thrusts of Consolidation, Collaboration and Innovation of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
Speaking during the visit, the CAC stated: “The CGC has three key policy thrusts.
” The first is consolidation. On assuming duty, I resolved to consolidate on the gains already achieved and improve the existing relationship between Apapa Command and the Nigerian Navy within this axis.”
On collaboration, he noted that modern border management requires agencies to work in tandem, adding: “While Customs is known for trade facilitation and revenue generation, we also perform critical security functions.
“To achieve this mandate, we must collaborate with the military, the mother of security.”
On innovation, he added: “Innovation is doing things differently to achieve better results and strengthening inter-agency cooperation is part of that approach.”
He appreciated the Navy for securing Nigeria’s waters, stating: “No vessel can come into the country without safe waters.
” We commend you for keeping the maritime environment secure.”
In his response, Rear Admiral Mustapha acknowledged the longstanding partnership between both agencies, emphasizing: “Port security is about inter-agency and coordination. Without security, there is no development.”
He commended the Service under CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi for its performance, noting: “The Customs has done exceptionally well in blocking revenue leakages and surpassing national revenue targets.
“Continue what you are doing; with more revenue, there will be more infrastructure and social safety network for the country.”
The FOC assured the Command of improved and seamless cooperation in securing the maritime domain and supporting national economic growth.
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Customs

Customs automates acquisition, renewal of licenses, permits to enhance efficiency, revenue boost.

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
In order to consolidate the automation of its operations, the Nigeria Customs Service, has concluded preparations to automate the process of Licenses, Permits acquisition and renewal.
To achieve this landmark initiative, the Service has trained  its bond officers of various area commands who will drive the process.
While unveiling the automation process to stakeholders in Lagos on Monday, February 23rd, 2026, the Comptroller – General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi said the initiative was driven by the desire of the Customs management to make licenses and permits acquisition and renewal less cumbersome, promote ease of doing business and boost revenue generation.
CGC Adeniyi, who was represented by Comptroller NJ Anozie, further expanded the benefits of the automation process.
“Automation will save importers, clearing and forwarding agents the stress of acquiring or renewing their Licenses and Permits as they would be sitting in the comfort of their offices/homes to initiate and complete the process.
“Officers and  men of License and Permit Unit, the bond seat unit of various Commands will also be saved some stress, as all their responsibilities would just be ‘clicks’ on the systems in front of their desks, as opposed to carrying loads of files from one table to another and from one office to the other.
“Automation will cut the cost of doing business and minimize movement risks for our stakeholders.
“They would no longer be jumping on buses or flights to and fro Customs Headquarters-Abuja, paying hotel bills plus feeding for days, to obtain or renew their licenses and permits.
“Automation will minimize, if not eradicate fraudulent practices in the system, as every single document that is uploaded in the course of this process will be automatically rejected by default, if it is fake and accepted if it is genuine.
 “L&P can now view assessments through the B’Odogwu to be sure that any company applying for fresh or renewal of licences or permits is not having unpaid assessments hanging on it”
The Customs boss said he was poised to sanitize the system and urged the Licences and Permits unit of the Service to be passionate in driving this initiative.
He further disclosed that the automation process will save the importers and their agents time and money which they normally expended in manual process.
Adeniyi urged the stakeholders to take advantage of this new initiative, assuring them that they would adequately be guided on how to key into the system by the bond officers who have already been trained.
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