Nigerian Customs Sparks Outrage with N14.39 Billion Budget for Luxury SUVs in 2025 Amid Economic Hardship

While millions of Nigerians struggle to afford basic food items and fuel their vehicles, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has earmarked a staggering ₦14.39 billion for the purchase of luxury vehicles for its senior officers in the 2025 fiscal year, triggering widespread criticism and questions over government spending priorities.

Details from the 2025 appropriation breakdown reveal that the bulk of the allocation will go to the procurement of high-end SUVs and other executive automobiles for top-ranking Customs personnel. This comes at a time when inflation continues to batter Nigerian households and the naira trades at over ₦1,500 to the dollar in the parallel market.

Civil society groups and economic analysts have slammed the expenditure as insensitive and tone-deaf, considering the rising cost of living, record unemployment, and the government’s ongoing campaign for fiscal discipline. “This is an insult to Nigerians who are tightening their belts while public officials ride in convoys funded by their pain,” said policy analyst Dr. Tunde Bankole.

A breakdown of the Customs capital expenditure shows that out of the service’s total N401.58 billion budget, nearly 3.5% will go directly into vehicle acquisitions — a figure that overshadows funding for technology upgrades and border control infrastructure. The development also contradicts earlier promises by the Tinubu-led administration to curb wasteful spending and redirect resources toward developmental needs.

Labour unions have also weighed in, with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) warning that such fiscal recklessness could spark renewed agitation. “You cannot be buying Toyota Land Cruisers for senior officers while refusing to increase minimum wage. This is not governance, it’s gluttony,” said NLC spokesperson, Benson Udo.

Amid the backlash, the Customs Service is yet to offer a public explanation for the luxury spend. Multiple attempts by journalists to get a reaction from the Public Relations Unit of the NCS went unanswered as of press time, further fueling public anger and speculation of elite entitlements at the expense of national interest.

Economists are calling on the National Assembly to scrutinize and slash the luxury allocation when budget defense hearings resume later this month. “This is not the time for armored convoys and champagne budgets. The people are hungry. Leadership must reflect sacrifice,” said Dr. Zainab Bello, an economist at the University of Abuja.