Nigeria Customs Revenue Hits ₦7.27tn as NCS Targets ₦11tn in 2026 Through Digital Reforms

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says sweeping digital reforms, stronger enforcement and improved trade facilitation have nearly doubled its annual revenue within two years, with collections rising to ₦7.27 trillion in 2025 as the agency sets an ambitious ₦11 trillion target for 2026.

Figures released by the Service show that customs revenue increased from ₦3.21 trillion in 2023 to ₦6.105 trillion in 2024, before climbing further to ₦7.27 trillion in 2025. Between January and June 2026, the agency generated ₦4.043 trillion, reflecting continued growth in revenue collection.

The NCS attributed the increase to major operational reforms, including the deployment of the Unified Customs Management System (B’Odogwu), wider automation, intelligence-led enforcement, enhanced stakeholder engagement and measures designed to curb revenue leakages while encouraging more importers to operate within the formal economy.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said the agency deliberately reduced manual processes and adopted technology-driven systems to improve efficiency and compliance.

“What we have done is simple. We removed human discretion, we deployed technology, and we built trust with compliant traders. When you do that, revenue will grow exponentially without hurting business. The jump from ₦3.21 trillion in 2023 to ₦7.27 trillion in 2025 is proof that the reforms of the Renewed Hope Agenda are working. Our ₦11 trillion target for 2026 is not a wish. It is a plan backed by data, commitment and hard work,” Adeniyi said.

Beyond revenue collection, the Customs Service said it has accelerated trade facilitation through faster cargo clearance, 24-hour operations at major ports, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, Time Release Studies, Advance Ruling systems and dispute resolution mechanisms that resolve valuation issues within 48 hours. Weekly engagements with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), terminal operators and shipping companies have also improved coordination across Nigeria’s ports.

The Service said it has expanded the use of real-time data analytics to monitor cargo movements, revenue performance and seizures nationwide. Information generated through its systems is shared with agencies such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Federal Ministry of Finance to support economic planning and risk management.

On border security, the NCS said it has shifted from routine inspections to intelligence-based anti-smuggling operations. Over the past 18 months, officers intercepted arms, foreign rice, used vehicles and petroleum products allegedly being smuggled into the country. The Service added that collaboration with the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Department of State Services (DSS) and Interpol has strengthened intelligence sharing and joint operations.

The agency also highlighted its growing role in tackling illicit financial flows through collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and the CBN. It said trade mis-invoicing, under-valuation and false declarations are now detected using advanced risk management systems, with several cases referred for prosecution.

Beyond customs enforcement, the Service reported significant progress in wildlife protection. Working alongside the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and international partners, Customs intercepted multiple containers of pangolin scales, elephant tusks and other endangered wildlife products in 2024 and 2025. The agency said officers have also received specialised wildlife identification training, while detection dogs have been deployed to strengthen enforcement.

Despite the gains, the NCS acknowledged persistent challenges, including poor port access roads, the need to improve export facilitation and sustaining reforms as it pursues its ₦11 trillion revenue goal. The Service maintained that its ongoing modernisation programme has repositioned Customs as a key driver of revenue generation, trade efficiency, border security and environmental protection.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently congratulated Comptroller-General Adeniyi on his unanimous re-election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council, describing the development as international recognition of the progress achieved under his leadership in modernising Nigeria’s customs operations.