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President Tinubu’s reforms push customs revenue to ₦1.3 Trillion in Q1 2025 — CG Adeniyi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded an unprecedented revenue of ₦1.3 trillion in the first quarter of 2025, more than double the ₦600 billion collected during the same period in 2023.
In a statement released on Saturday, May 24, 2025, by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, the Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi attributed this remarkable growth to transformative reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, as revealed in an upcoming State House documentary marking the President’s second anniversary.
Adeniyi highlighted that the revenue surge emanated from improved technological deployment, enhanced port operations, tightened enforcement on revenue leakages, and a renewed culture of accountability across Customs commands.
“We collected ₦1.3 trillion in Q1 2025 alone. This is not due to higher import volumes. Imports have dropped due to foreign exchange constraints.
“What has changed is efficiency, transparency, and enforcement,” the Comptroller-General said.
He disclosed that the Service is preparing to launch the E-Customs Modernisation Project.
This $3.2 billion initiative will digitise cargo processing, surveillance, and payment systems across Nigeria’s ports and borders.
“We’re laying the foundation to move from a manual, paper-based system to a fully digital service. The E-Customs Project is central to our future. Once fully deployed, we project it will add $250 billion in cumulative revenue over 20 years,” he said.
Adeniyi added that the newly launched Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme is now onboarding pre-vetted importers, allowing compliant businesses faster processing and reducing port congestion.
“It’s about trust and efficiency. If you’re compliant, you get green-lane treatment. This is how modern customs systems work globally,” he said.
The Customs CG confirmed that the Service has intensified its anti-smuggling operations and closed long-standing revenue leakages.
He said over ₦64 billion was recovered from previously under-assessed or undervalued imports in the last nine months, and major smuggling rings at the Seme, Idiroko, Katsina, and Sokoto borders have been dismantled.
He said the new joint border patrol task forces established in coordination with the Nigerian Army, DSS, and Police have also yielded positive results.
“We’re no longer just chasing smugglers in the bush. We’re using data, surveillance drones, and port intelligence to act in real-time. Once systemic leakages are now being plugged,” ” Adeniyi said.
To ease trade and reduce business costs, Adeniyi disclosed that NCS is fast-tracking the roll-out of the National Single Window.
This digital portal will integrate all government agencies involved in cargo clearance.
“Right now, you deal with up to 15 agencies manually. With the Single Window, you’ll do it all online, in one place. This will slash clearance time and costs,” the CG explained, adding that clearance timelines at Apapa and Tin Can Ports have already dropped from 21 days to 7–10 days for compliant importers.
The Comptroller-General said the agency has introduced fast-track lanes for agro-exports and is working with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to streamline outbound cargo processes in line with the government’s push for non-oil exports.
“We’re promoting exports aggressively. Last year, Nigeria exported over ₦340 billion worth of solid minerals and agro commodities through formal channels, up by 38%. We’re targeting even more in 2025,” he said.
He stated that the Customs Service is also undergoing internal transformation, with over 1,800 officers trained in advanced data analytics, risk profiling, and artificial intelligence.
“Customs is no longer just about physical inspection. We are becoming an intelligence-led organisation, and our officers are being retrained to match global standards,” Adeniyi said.
“The President gave us a clear directive: block leakages, facilitate trade, and raise revenue without burdening Nigerians. That is what we are doing. And the results are beginning to speak for themselves.”
News
ICPC Denies El-Rufai Doctor Access Over Eye Condition
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has again denied former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai access to medical care despite his complaints of swollen, reddish, and itchy eyes.
According to a press statement issued on Friday by his media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai’s family drew the attention of ICPC operatives to his deteriorating eye condition and requested a hospital visit. Two officials reportedly inspected his eyes, yet no medical attention or doctor was provided.
The statement alleged that one Henry, believed to be seconded to the ICPC, falsely claimed to a family member that El-Rufai did not wish to see a doctor. This claim was strongly challenged by the family.
El-Rufai was taken to an eye clinic on Thursday, 4 June 2026, but his condition worsened overnight, causing significant discomfort. His wives, who visited him on Friday, expressed alarm at his state.
The statement noted that El-Rufai’s lawyers had already secured a court order for him to have access to his personal doctors, but the ICPC has continued to deny him proper medical treatment.
“ No agency of the government is allowed to be indifferent to the medical condition of a person in their custody,” the statement stressed, urging the ICPC to respect human rights and obey court orders.
News
REPS MINORITY LEADER: AGBESE DENIES ENDORSING UGOCHINYERE
Honourable Philip Agbese alleges that his signature was forged on a document purportedly backing Ugochinyere’s nomination.
The House of Representatives has been thrown into a rowdy session at Thursday’s plenary following fresh controversy over plans to name Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere as Minority Leader
Honourable Philip Agbese alleges that his signature was forged on a document purportedly backing Ugochinyere’s nomination.
The disruption occurred as lawmakers debated the opposition’s vacant Minority Leader position, with Agbese rejecting claims that he endorsed the nomination document reportedly signed by 61 opposition members.
The Benue lawmaker alleged that his signature was included without his consent and demanded an investigation into the matter.
The development comes amid ongoing efforts by opposition lawmakers to secure formal recognition of a new minority leadership structure following the vacancy created by the exit of former Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda.
The dispute could delay the formal announcement of the new minority leader by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.
News
Sunday Igboho declares himself Invincible, ” Nobody Can Kidnap Me,” Seeks Oyo Govt’s backing to confront bandits
If they are serious about rescuing the victims, they should tell my boys and me to chase them out of the forests in our regions and see if those people will remain there even with their bombs and sophisticated weapons.
• Sunday Igboho
Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo, widely known as Sunday Igboho, boasted that “No one can take me or my family captive, as they reside abroad.”
Igboho made the declaration when the newly elected officials of the National Association of Nigerian Students, led by Akinteye Bàbàtunde, visited him at his Ibadan residence.
In a video posted by Wisdom TV, Igboho revealed his willingness to confront the bandits directly but claimed he was met with resistance from the state government.
He insisted that he never sought any financial compensation from the Seyi Makinde administration for the rescue of the 47 kidnapped individuals.
“If I am permitted to burst into the hideouts, they will flee. They are neither gnomes nor mannequins; they are humans, so that they could be dislodged. I know the politicians behind them, and if they do not stop perpetrating their evil acts, I will mention them all. I know them. The politicians behind them are the ones giving them ammunition and money,” said Igboho.
Igboho noted: ” They (Oyo government) informed me that the kidnappers said if I try to force myself to come rescue the children, they will kill them all.
If they are serious about rescuing the victims, they should tell my boys and me to chase them out of the forests in our regions and see if those people will remain there even with their bombs and sophisticated weapons,” he said.
Igboho compared the current political climate to past events, stating, “The same thing they did to Jonathan is what they are doing to Tinubu. They want to make the country ungovernable for him. They even have fake news propaganda to scare the masses and divert supporters away from the President. Suppose the recent abduction is not a game. In Oyo, they made away with children. I volunteered to go, but the state government said ‘No.’”
He went on to recount a warning he received, stating that the kidnappers threatened to kill the children should he attempt a rescue. “If they are serious about saving the victims, let them instruct my team and me to chase the bandits out of our forests and see if they can withstand the onslaught, even with their sophisticated weapons,” he asserted.
Government approval for his security initiative, “Iru Ekun,” the Oyo State Government has prohibited him from intervening, claiming any rescue attempt could endanger the kidnapped children.
“After forming ‘Iru Ekun,’ the Federal Government backed me, but the state warned that no security forces could assist me. Are we supposed to wait while they continue to terrorize? I care deeply for these abductees; no one can take me or my family captive, as they reside abroad,” he stated.
Questioning the motivations behind the political situation, Igboho remarked, “No matter how flawed Buhari’s regime may have been, he finished his term. Why are they trying to sabotage a Yoruba man—Tinubu—from completing his? It was Tinubu who liberated me when I was in exile. Why should I oppose him, or why are they trying to undermine his administration?”
In light of these challenges, Igboho is pushing to officially launch his “Iru Ekun Security Network” to combat the criminal activity plaguing the South-West’s forests, while also pledging to adhere to the new regulations set forth by Governor Seyi Makinde to manage private security firms in Oyo State.
This development led Igboho to seek approval to launch his security outfit, “Iru Ekun Security Network,” as part of efforts to dislodge criminal elements from the South-West forests.
He also expressed his readiness to comply with the Executive Order recently issued by the Oyo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, to regulate the activities of private security firms in the state.
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