CUSTOMS MEETS YEARLY REVENUE TARGET; MAKES N5.079 TRILLION AS AT YESTERDAY—CG ADENIYI
The Comptroller General of Customs, Wale Adeniyi said that the symbolism of gathering here in our federal capital, a city that exemplifies the power of unity in diversity, perfectly mirrors our mission to bring together traditional and new partners of the Nigeria Customs Service.
He recalled a year ago, within the vibrant halls of the Lagos Continental Hotel, we made bold commitments that would reshape our engagement with stakeholders in the year 2024.
The Continental Declaration of 2023 marked a turning point in our approach to partnershipnot just a document of promises, but a blueprint for
transformation. Today, in the prestigious Transcorp Hilton, I stand before you to
demonstrate how those commitments have evolved into tangible achievements.
He said Our pledge was comprehensive and ambitious: modernizing our processes
through a one-stop solution for cargo alerts, revolutionizing our ICT
infrastructure, streamlining examination procedures, and embracing automation
for enhanced efficiency.
We committed to reimagining our free trade zone operations, elevating cargo integrity standards, and expanding our scanning capabilities. Above all, we promised to usher in a new era of customs operations one built on transparency, efficiency, and genuine collaboration with our partners.
He said that the successful implementation of these measures, and indeed their expansion beyond our initial commitments, has been possible through a powerful coalition of support: the visionary leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR; the strategic guidance of the Honourable Minister of
Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Chairman of the Nigeria
Customs Service Board, Mr. Wale Edun; the commitment of the Nigeria Customs
Service Management team and our dedicated officers and men; and the
constructive engagement of our stakeholders, many of whom are here today.
Together, we have created a more business-friendly trading environment that aligns with President Tinubu’s economic transformation agenda while
strengthening our capacity to protect Nigerian citizens from illicit trade.
In pursuing these objectives, we expanded the frontiers of our engagement
both within and beyond Nigeria’s borders. This past year has seen us not only
consolidating existing partnerships but also forging new alliances crucial to our
mission. We have deliberately repositioned the Nigeria Customs Service brand,
emphasizing our commitment to trade facilitation and demonstrating a more
nuanced application of our authority in executing our statutory responsibilities.
Through extensive stakeholder enlightenment programs, we have opened
windows into our operations, fostering better understanding of our procedures
and requirements. This renewed approach to partnership has led to the strengthening of existing agreements and the establishment of new ones, all aimed at creating a more collaborative and efficient trading environment.
These strategic engagements and collaborative approaches have yielded
remarkable results across our core statutory responsibilities. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to announce that yesterday 12 November 2024, at exactly 13:10 Hrs, the Nigeria Customs Service hit its 2024 revenue target of NGN 5.07 trillion, collecting NGN 5,079,455,088,194.38 with more than a month remaining in the fiscal year. This exceptional performance projected to exceed our target by 10% validates our partnershipdriven approach to revenue
collection and trade facilitation.
The achievement is not merely about numbers; it demonstrates how enhanced stakeholder collaboration, improved processes, and modernized systems can deliver tangible results for our nation’s economy.
According to him, ‘Our commitment to trade facilitation has garnered significant recognition and yielded measurable results’. The Service’s leap of 33 places upward in the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) rankings, placing us among the top five agencies in trade facilitation, reflects the impact of our
reform initiatives. This improvement goes beyond metrics it represents real
changes in how we facilitate trade across borders. We have expanded our focus
beyond traditional import operations to actively support exporters and nurture
small and medium scale enterprises.
The AfCFTA Secretariat’s recognition of our innovative approaches led to an invitation to share Nigeria’s experience at the prestigious Biashara Afrika forum in Kigali last month. This recognitio culminated in a historic milestone -Nigeria’s first shipment under the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement, marking our country’s practical commitment to continental trade integration.
He stressed that the momentum of our modernization initiatives continues to build, yielding immediate benefits for our stakeholders. With your support and collaboration, we have successfully implemented several key reforms. Our Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) scheme now has six beneficiaries in its pilot phase, carefully selected based on stringent compliance criteria. The
Advanced Ruling system has processed 31 requests, with 12 rulings issued -notably, 75% of these were completed in October following our stakeholder sensitization efforts.
Additionally, the introduction of 24-hour cargo clearance at major ports has significantly reduced dwell time; the completion of Nigeria’s first Time Release Study now provides us with empirical data to measure and improve our efficiency; our enhanced risk management systems are streamlining operations; and the deployment of non-intrusive inspection equipment is accelerating cargo examination while maintaining robust controls.
According to the CG, In fulfilling our enforcement mandate, we have achieved unprecedented success in protecting both our citizens and economy. The scale of our intervention is reflected in seizures valued at NGN 28.1 billion and counting in 2024 alone.
These seizures span critical areas of national concern -from wildlife items and
arms and ammunition to narcotics and pharmaceutical products. A important
moment in our enforcement strategy was the declaration of a state of emergency
at our major ports, which led to the interception of 48 containers of illicit
pharmaceutical items and narcotics, significantly disrupting the flow of
potentially harmful products. Through strategic operations, we continue to
intercept and seize prohibited items that pose direct threats to public health and
safety.
Our enforcement activities have been particularly impactful in addressing
items that could worsen our current economic challenges. A standout example is Operation Whirlwind, launched in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum
Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
This joint initiative to combat petroleum product smuggling demonstrates how inter-agency cooperation can effectively protect our national resources and economic stability. The success of these operations underscores a crucial lesson: when agencies work together with shared
purpose, we multiply our effectiveness in safeguarding national interests.
In the spirit of transparency, let us acknowledge the challenges that have
tested our resolve this year. A primary concern has been the misconception of our role amid monetary policy changes, where some stakeholders viewed our actions as trade-restrictive rather than recognizing our enhanced commitment to trade facilitation. Additionally, we continue to grapple with widespread non compliance among the larger population of traders who, though numerous, contribute relatively smaller portions to our trade volumes, values, and revenue.
These external challenges have required us to intensify our stakeholder engagement and compliance initiatives.
A significant internal challenge we must address transparently is the
unprecedented rate of leadership transitions within our Service. The statistics tell a compelling story: we saw 60% of our management team exit in 2022, 36% in 2023, and this year, we will experience a 76% change in our management composition.
With projections indicating another 40% of our management staff retiring in 2024, we recognize the urgent need for strategic intervention. In response, we have launched an ambitious Human Resource Development Plan that addresses both immediate and long-term needs. This includes accelerated career progression opportunities for deserving officers, ensuring that talent and dedication are appropriately rewarded. Most significantly, we are making a historic investment in human capital infrastructure through the establishment of a Customs University -a testament to our commitment to building a knowledge driven service.
These initiatives, aligned with the World Customs Organization’s focus on youth leadership development, complement our comprehensive talent management program that identifies and prepares promising officers for leadership roles, ensuring the Service’s continued stability and effectiveness.
He said that this period of transition, while challenging, presents us with unique
opportunities to reshape our future. Looking ahead to 2025, we have crafted
ambitious yet attainable goals that build on our current momentum. We aim to
dramatically reduce physical inspection rates through enhanced risk management
systems, fully deploy our ecustoms infrastructure, and expand our Authorized
Economic Operator program. Our focus extends to strengthening regional
integration through improved border cooperation and deepening stakeholder
engagement through regular consultative forums.
CG said that these objectives are not just operational targets; they are our vision for a modern customs administration that effectively balances trade facilitation, revenue collection, and security. The achievement of these goals, particularly during this period of leadership transition, will require even stronger partnerships with all stakeholders from government agencies to private sector operators.
Observing protocol, according to CG, the conference theme -“Nigeria Customs Service Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose” -is particularly relevant at this juncture. As we reflect on our successes and challenges, we are increasingly convinced that no single agency can effectively meet today’s customs challenges alone. The intricate nature of international trade, coupled with our internal transformation, demands innovative partnerships and collaborative approaches.
The sessions ahead promise rich discussions on revenue collection, trade
facilitation, partnerships, and compliance. Your insights and experiences will be
crucial in refining our strategies for the coming year, particularly as we develop
our next generation of customs leaders.
He expressed profound gratitude to His Excellency, the President, for his support of our modernization initiatives. To our partners -both traditional and new -your collaboration has been instrumental in our achievements despite the challenges we’vefaced. To the hardworking officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service, particularly those who have served and those preparing to take up new leadership roles, your dedication continues to drive our success.
And speaking of success, CG Adeniyi is pleased to announce that Friday evening
will be dedicated to celebrating excellence at our Awards Night. Despite our
challenging operating environment, or perhaps because of it, it is crucial that we
recognize and reward outstanding performance. We have curated an evening that promises to be both significant and entertaining. I warmly invite all our guests to join us for what will be a memorable celebration of achievement and dedication.
CGC said we should use these next few days to strengthen existing partnerships and forge new ones, as well as create a legacy of collaboration that will support the Service through its transition and beyond, all in service of our nation’s economic
development and security.