Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR,presented the Customs Service’s 2024 budget, amounting to 706.43 billion naira, to the Nigeria Senate Committee on Customs at the National Assembly on 5 February 2024.
During the budget defense, CG Adeniyi highlighted the focus on consolidating ongoing projects, elevating staff welfare through incentives and advancements, and integrating cutting-edge technologies into Customs procedures.
Addressing officers’ welfare, CG Adeniyi emphasized plans to enhance efficiency and well-being through awards, promotions, and timely payment of allowances.
Notably, the Comptroller General set an ambitious target, pledging to surpass the 2024 revenue target of 5.079 trillion naira, a 27.75 percent increase from the previous year. Strategies outlined to achieve this include the implementation of the National Single Window, streamlining Customs processes, port decongestion, collaboration with other agencies, anti-smuggling operations, ICT integration, capacity building, and stakeholder engagement.
Furthermore, CG Bashir underscored the commitment to support local production and food security, revealing plans to grant waivers to vehicle owners for duty payments within a specified timeframe.
In terms of workforce, the Customs Service plans to recruit 1,600 personnel in 2024, primarily for junior staff. CG Bashir clarified that this figure reflects current vacancies, with future recruitment exercises expected.
Despite a 12.62 percent revenue shortfall in 2023, attributed to factors such as import duty exemptions, cash constraints, and general elections, CG Bashir expressed optimism for a positive outcome in 2024.
Senator Isa Jibrin, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs, commended CG Bashir’s progress and success in his tenure, assuring support from the Senate in terms of remuneration and infrastructure to help meet the ambitious 2024 revenue target.