The Federal Government has reaffirmed its support for ongoing reforms within the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, commending the Service for its vigilance at the nation’s borders and its strong revenue performance in 2025.
The Minister of State for Finance, Mrs. Doris Uzoka-Anite, gave the assurance on Monday, January 26, 2026, at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja, during the 2026 International Customs Day celebration. She described the NCS as a critical institution at the intersection of revenue mobilisation, national security and trade facilitation.
Uzoka-Anite commended officers and men of the Service for maintaining professionalism amid growing public and economic expectations, noting that Customs remains a strategic partner in the implementation of fiscal, monetary and structural reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Efficient border management is central to economic stability and growth. The Nigeria Customs Service has demonstrated that revenue assurance, trade facilitation and border security can be pursued simultaneously when institutions are guided by integrity, data-driven decision-making and strong leadership,” the minister said.
She assured stakeholders that the Federal Ministry of Finance would continue to provide policy direction and institutional support aimed at strengthening Customs’ capacity, improving transparency and modernising operations across ports and border formations nationwide.
In his remarks, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed that the Service generated a total revenue of N7.281 trillion in 2025, surpassing its approved annual target of N6.584 trillion.
According to him, the achievement reflects significant year-on-year growth driven by disciplined enforcement, improved compliance, increased automation and sustained engagement with the trading community.
Beyond revenue generation, Adeniyi said the Service intensified intelligence-led operations to protect society, resulting in thousands of seizures of prohibited and harmful goods. These included narcotics, illicit pharmaceuticals, arms and ammunition, wildlife products and substandard consumer items.
“These interventions were aimed at safeguarding public health, protecting the environment and strengthening national security, while ensuring that legitimate trade was not hindered,” he said.
The Customs boss reiterated the Service’s commitment to balancing trade facilitation with effective controls, stressing that lawful trade must flow seamlessly without compromising security or revenue.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Customs, Honourable Leke Abejide, called for greater recognition of the NCS within Nigeria’s security architecture. He pledged continued legislative support for reforms that enhance the welfare, capacity and operational efficiency of the Service.
Similarly, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, commended the NCS for its role in facilitating trade and securing the nation’s borders, describing the Service as a key partner in Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda.
She noted that efficient Customs operations are essential to improving competitiveness, attracting investment and supporting industrial growth, particularly as the government intensifies efforts to expand non-oil revenue.
Oduwole also stressed the need for deeper inter-agency collaboration, noting that trade facilitation and national security must advance together to deliver sustainable economic outcomes.
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