The Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, on Wednesday at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja, has expressed gratitude for the continuous support of the media and highlighted the Nigeria Customs Service’s achievements including its feat in earning over N3tr in 2023.
Addressing the press at the press conference, Adeniyi said, despite operational challenges in 2023, the NCS recorded a significant 21.4% increase in revenue, reaching N3,206,603,417,315.47.
Adeniyi attributed this success to strategic measures, including the establishment of a Revenue Review Recovery Team and dissolution of existing Strike Force Teams.
Despite initial challenges, the NCS exceeded monthly revenue targets by 6.71% in the latter half of the year, reducing the year-end revenue shortfall to NGN 478 billion.
Adeniyi emphasised government initiatives, such as the concession of N2 trillion for select dutiable items, impacting revenue collection.
He said the NCS continued its campaign against smuggling, resulting in 3,806 seizures with a Duty Paid Value of N16,049,023,262 and 52 convictions.
Looking ahead to 2024, Adeniyi outlined strategic initiatives, including the Advanced Ruling system, implementation of Authorised Economic Operators, and collaboration with international organizations.
He said the NCS has been allocated a new revenue target of N5.079 trillion for 2024, and also highlighted key trends, including alignment with government policies, the African Continental Free Trade Area, customs modernisation, border management, leveraging the NCS Act, stakeholder engagement, capacity building, and managing exchange rate fluctuations.
Adeniyi concluded by emphasising the NCS’s commitment to efficiency, transparency, and achieving the revenue target.
He invited stakeholders to actively participate in the collective journey towards more efficient customs operations.
He maintained a zero-tolerance stance towards indiscipline and non-compliance in 2024, urging maximum cooperation for the success of collective efforts aligned with principles of efficiency, transparency, and revenue optimization for the economic prosperity of the nation.