Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has released its mid-year performance report, showcasing impressive accomplishments in revenue collection, trade facilitation, and anti-smuggling efforts.
In a press statement issued by the Chief Superintendent of Customs National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, The report highlights the NCS’s alignment with the policy direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and its commitment to transparency and efficiency under the leadership of Comptroller-General (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
The NCS set a half-year revenue target of N2.54 trillion but surpassed expectations by collecting N2.74 trillion, an 8% increase. This marks a staggering 127% rise compared to the previous year. In the second quarter alone, the NCS collected N1.395 trillion, exceeding its quarterly target by 10% and representing a 131% increase over Q2 2023.
Key initiatives contributing to this success include the e-auction platform, which generated over N1.34 billion, and a 90-day duty payment window for uncustomed vehicles, adding N4.37 billion to the revenue.
Anti-smuggling operations intensified in the first half of 2024, with 2,442 seizures valued at NGN 25.52 billion, a 203% increase over the first half of 2023. The second quarter saw 1,334 seizures with a value of NGN 17.56 billion, a 121% increase from the first quarter. Seized items included wildlife products, vehicles, arms, ammunition, foreign rice, pharmaceuticals, and narcotics, with 32 suspects taken into custody.
Despite a 39% reduction in Single Goods Declarations (SGDs) processed compared to the same period in 2023, the NCS has implemented several initiatives to enhance trade facilitation. These include reinforcing automation procedures, capacity-building programs for officers, and public-private partnerships aimed at improving customs clearance efficiency. These efforts are crucial for boosting Nigeria’s trade competitiveness and supporting economic growth.
The NCS faced challenges such as significant exchange rate fluctuations, lower transaction volumes, low compliance levels among importers and exporters, and periodic system downtimes. To mitigate these issues and enhance revenue collection, the NCS employed strategies including real-time system auditing, post-clearance audits, verification of Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) documents, and a pilot test for the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) scheme.
Moreover, the NCS introduced the Advance Ruling System (ARS) to provide legally binding decisions on classification, valuation, and rules of origin before goods are imported or exported. Other measures included establishing a robust framework for dispute resolution, launching Operation Whirlwind, reshuffling strategic-level officers, and engaging stakeholders robustly.
The Custom boss praised the dedication and commitment of NCS officers and acknowledged the significant contributions of stakeholders in achieving these results. He reaffirmed the NCS’s dedication to supporting the realization of government policies for a better Nigeria.