By Anthony Nwachukwu
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a total revenue collection of approximately N1.75 trillion in the first quarter (Q1) of 2025.
Announcing the agency’s Q1 general performance, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the figure exceeded the NCS’ proportional benchmark target of approximately N1.64 trillion by N106.5 billion, representing a 106.47 per cent increase.
Adeniyi further explained that the figure represents a 29.96 per cent increase over the corresponding period of 2024, during which the agency collected N1.35 trillion.
On month-by-month analysis, January’s collection of N647.88 billion not only surpassed the month’s target of N548.33 billion by 18.12 per cent but also showed a remarkable 65.77 per cent year-on-year growth, the CGC added.
According to him, February’s N540.11 billion exceeded the agency’s target by 1.3 per cent, with a 19.97 per cent growth over the 2024 figures, while March, with N563.52 billion, delivered 2.7 per cent above target and an 11.22 per cent improvement over March 2024.
Adeniyi stated that the results substantiate NCS’ “effective measures to curb revenue losses while streamlining compliant trade,” adding that the 29.96 per cent annual increase and steady monthly collections confirm an effective strategy.
Meanwhile, Adeniyi noted that chief among the challenges the agency encountered during the quarter that impacted its operations and performance was “exchange rate volatility, which continued to affect trade patterns and customs valuation.”
According to him, “during Q1 2025, we recorded 62 changes in the exchange rate, ranging from a minimum of ₦1,477.72 to a maximum of ₦1,569.53 per dollar, with an average rate of ₦1,521.59.
“This volatility, though slightly moderated compared to the previous quarter (Q4 2024), which saw rates as high as ₦1,688.28, continues to create uncertainty for traders and affects the predictability of import costs.
“We have been working closely with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Finance to implement measures aimed at stabilising the exchange rate for import declarations.”
There was also the implementation and subsequent suspension of the Financial Customs Service Operation (FCSO), also known as the 4 per cent FOB, which created temporary operational adjustments for both the agency and its stakeholders, it said.
In anti-smuggling operations, Adeniyi said the NCS recorded 298 seizures with a total Duty Paid Value of approximately N7.7 billion in the period under review.
According to him, this represents a 78.41 per cent increase over the N4.32 billion recorded in Q4 2024, demonstrating heightened operational effectiveness. Compared to Q1 2024’s N9.59 billion, however, it was a 19.70 per cent reduction in DPV, attributable to improved compliance through sustained stakeholder-engagement and the deterrent effect of the agency’s enforcement activities.
Meanwhile, rice remained the most prevalent seized commodity, with 159 cases involving 135,474 bags valued at N939.31 million. Petroleum products followed with 61 seizures totaling 65,819 liters and amounting to a DPV of N43.34 million.
The CGC noted that “of particular note were 22 narcotics interceptions valued at N730.75 million, reflecting an intensified focus on combating drug trafficking.
“The Service also recorded three high-value wildlife product seizures with a DPV of N5.65 billion, which underscores both the lucrative nature of this illegal trade and the agency’s commitment to environmental protection in line with international conventions,” among others.
Adeniyi further disclosed that trade facilitation remains a core focus of the agency’s operations, as it strives to balance revenue collection and enforcement responsibilities with the need to promote legitimate trade.
The agency handled a total trade value of ₦36.32 billion in Q1 2025, which Adeniyi said demonstrated Nigeria’s substantial participation in international trade.
It posted a total of 327,928 Single Goods Declarations (SGDs) for imports, handling goods with a total mass of 4,910,640,283.33 kilograms and a Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) value of ₦14.807 billion.
According to the analysis, this represents a 5.28 per cent increase in the number of import transactions compared to the 311,492 SGDs processed in Q1 2024, and reflects growing confidence in its trade facilitation measures.
The significant 40.14 per cent increase in the mass of imports processed (from 3,504,173,117.33kg in Q1 2024) demonstrates robust growth in import volumes, while the 26.72 per cent increase in CIF value (from ₦11.7 billion in Q1 2024) indicates a shift towards higher-value goods.
However, the Service processed 8,153 SGDs export shipments, representing a 6.4 per cent decrease from the 8,710 SGDs in Q4 2024, and a 24.4 per cent decline from the 10,786 SGDs in Q1 2024.
In terms of technology, the NCS said that key among its milestones in modernisation and institutional development agenda is the B’Odogwu Platform Expansion.
According to Adeniyi, the NCS continues the roll-out of its indigenously developed customs clearance platform, B’Odogwu, expanding its operations to additional customs formations across the country. He added that this expansion has enhanced operational efficiency and improved service delivery to stakeholders.
Another is the World Customs Organisation-endorsed Authorised Economic Operators (AEO), which recognises businesses with strong compliance records and security standards, provides benefits such as expedited clearance, reduced inspections and enhanced predictability in customs procedures for qualifying operators, Adeniyi explained.
