Tinubu’s reforms drive Customs revenue to record ₦1.3trn in Q1 2025

By Kunle Sanni

Nigeria’s Customs revenue surged to a record ₦1.3 trillion in the first quarter of 2025—more than double the ₦600 billion collected during the same period in 2023—driven by reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi, announced the figures during a press briefing featured in an upcoming State House documentary marking the President’s second year in office.

Adeniyi attributed the increase to improved efficiency, transparency, and digital transformation under the Renewed Hope Agenda. “This revenue growth is not due to higher import volumes—those have declined due to forex challenges. What changed is our efficiency, enforcement, and accountability,” he said.

He revealed that the NCS is set to launch the $3.2 billion E-Customs Modernisation Project, which will digitize cargo processing, payments, and surveillance nationwide. The initiative is projected to generate up to $250 billion in cumulative revenue over 20 years.

To reward compliance, the Customs Service has introduced the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, granting faster clearance to compliant importers and reducing congestion at the ports. “If you’re compliant, you get green-lane treatment. That’s global best practice,” Adeniyi noted.

Anti-smuggling operations have intensified, resulting in the dismantling of smuggling rings at key borders including Seme, Idiroko, Katsina, and Sokoto. Over ₦64 billion has been recovered from previously under-assessed imports in the past nine months.

The NCS is also deploying the National Single Window, a digital portal that integrates all government agencies involved in cargo clearance. Clearance times at major ports like Apapa and Tin Can have dropped from 21 days to as few as seven for compliant importers.

To support economic diversification, Adeniyi said Customs is promoting non-oil exports. The value of solid minerals and agricultural exports processed through formal channels rose to over ₦340 billion last year—a 38% increase—boosted by new fast-track lanes for agro-exports.