The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says that its first quarter (Q1) revenue was N1.75 trillion.
Comptroller-General (CG) of customs Adewale Adeniyi said the sum exceeded the service’s Q1 benchmark of N1.65 trillion by 106.47 percent at a press conference in Abuja.
In comparison to the N1.35 trillion earned during the same time in 2024, he continued, the result also indicates a 29.96 percent growth.
“I am proud to announce that we have exceeded this year’s target by N106.5 billion, achieving 106.47 percent of our quarterly projection,” the CG said.
”This outstanding performance represents a substantial 29.96 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024, where we collected N1.35 trillion.
“Our month-by-month analysis reveals even more encouraging details of this growth trajectory.“January’s collection of N647. 88 billion not only surpassed its monthly target of N548.33 billion by 18.12 per cent , but also showed a remarkable 65.77 per cent year-on-year growth.
“February’s N540.11 billion exceeded its target by 1.3 per cent while achieving 19.97 percent growth over 2024 figures.”
Revenue collection in March was N563.52 billion, which was 2.7% more than the monthly goal and 11.22% higher than the amount achieved in March 2024, according to Adeniyi.
‘CUSTOMS RECORDED 298 SEIZURES’
In comparison to the N4.32 billion recorded in Q4 2024, the CG said that the service registered 298 seizures in Q1 with a total duty paid value (DPV) of N7.7 billion, a 78.41 percent increase.
However, according to the NCS chief, the DPV decreased by 19.70 percent in Q1 2025 when compared to the N9.59 billion reported in the same time in 2024.
Better compliance levels, fuelled by ongoing stakeholder engagement and the deterrent effect of the service’s enforcement actions, were cited by Adeniyi as the reason for the reduction.
“Rice remained the most prevalent seized commodity, with 159 cases involving 135,474 bags valued at N939.31 million,” he said.
“Petroleum products followed with 61 seizures totalling 65,819 litres (N43.34 million DPV).
”Of particular note were 22 narcotics interceptions valued at N730.75 million, reflecting our intensified focus on combating drug trafficking.
“The service also recorded three high-value wildlife product seizures with a remarkable N5.65 billion DPV.”
Adeniyi said the development underscores the profitability of the illegal trade and reaffirms the NCS’ dedication to protecting the environment in line with existing international agreements.
The comptroller-general added that other significant interceptions involved 13 cases of textile materials worth N134.22 million in duty paid value, and five cases of used tyres, valued at N104.60 million, with one pharmaceuticals case valued at N17.19 million.
He said the overall figures reflect the agency’s alertness in monitoring all forms of prohibited and restricted imports.
During the first quarter, the NCS CG said the service processed 327,928 single goods declarations for imports, and handled goods with a total mass of 4.91 billion kilogrammes and a cost, insurance, and freight value of N14.81 trillion.
