Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi, has announced revenue of N7.28 trillion for 2025, surpassing the agency’s target by N697 billion.

He made the announcement at the 2026 International Customs Day and launch of the Nigeria Time Release Study on Monday in Abuja.

Adeniyi said, “These gains came not from arbitrary impositions or compromising legitimate traders, but from improved compliance, better data use, digital tools, and disciplined enforcement.”

He said that the initial target of N6.5 trillion for 2025 was exceeded by over 10 per cent, emphasising that the achievement resulted from deepening collaboration with the private sector while upholding trade facilitation commitments.

The CG adds that this year’s theme, ‘Customs Protecting Society Through Vigilance and Commitment,’ reflects a significant milestone in the NCS’s mission to protect society while facilitating lawful trade.

According to him, “This theme resonates with the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service and the daily experiences of our officers.

“True protection is broader and far more complex; it involves intercepting narcotics, blocking counterfeit medicines, and preventing arms from reaching criminal networks.”

Adeniyi noted that, contrary to the public’s perception of customs as revolving solely around revenue collection and the seizure of goods, the role of customs extends beyond revenue generation to include preventing harm through various interventions.

He pointed out that many of these protective actions go unnoticed but have significant societal impacts.

Listing other key progress made in the previous year, the Comptroller cited that NCS officers had disrupted multiple criminal supply chains and intercepted goods worth over N59 billion in prohibited items, such as narcotics and counterfeit pharmaceuticals. “These operations may not make headlines, but their impact prevents tragedies before they occur,” he stated.

In his introduction to the TRS, he explained that it is a vital step towards securing and streamlining trade operations.

The TRS aims to transition from opinion-driven reforms to evidence-based policies to enhance Nigeria’s trade competitiveness, the agency said.

The study, which was conducted at Tincan Island Port, revealed that while examination times were efficient, excessive delays were often due to fragmented processes.

“The challenge is not that we cannot move goods fast; it is that goods are not allowed to move fast,” he remarked, emphasising the need for streamlined procedures.

The CG outlined a threefold strategy to sustain the balance between protection and facilitation, including investing in technology-driven enforcement, institutionalising procedural reforms, and strengthening partnerships with various stakeholders.