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Nigeria Customs Service
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| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1891 |
| Jurisdiction | Federal Ministry of Finance (Nigeria) |
| Headquarters | No 2, Lake Taal Close, Tigris Crescent, Aguiyi Ironsi, Maitama, Abuja, FCT[1] |
| Employees | 18,000 |
| Agency executive |
|
| Website | customs |
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is an agency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which operates as an independent customs service under the supervisory oversight of the Nigerian Ministry of Finance, responsible for the collection of customs revenue, facilitation of both national and international trade, anti-smuggling and border security activities, with its headquarters at No 2. Lake Taal Close, off Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi St, Maitama, Abuja.[2]
Organizational structure
[edit]The NCS is headed by the Comptroller General, who oversees the work of 9 Deputy Comptrollers-General (DCGs) in the following departments at the NCS Headquarters.
- Finance and Technical Service.
- Tariff & Trade.
- ICT & Modernization
- Legal Department
- Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC).
- Enforcement, Investigation, and Inspection.
- Strategic Research and Policy.
- Excise, Industrial Incentives and Free Trade Zone.
- Human Resource Development.[3]
These Deputy Comptrollers-General have Assistant Comptrollers-General heading each division under them while Comptrollers runs the affair of each unit under these divisions.
ACG (Headquarters) reports directly to the Comptroller-General along with the heads of some Special Units in addition to 4 Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) in the zones that coordinate the area commands under their respective jurisdictions.[4]
Board
[edit]The NCS board is chaired by the Minister of Finance, while the Vice-Chairman is the Comptroller-General. The Board was set up with main functions to include Appointment, Promotion and Discipline of officers of the service. The Board is also to administer the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. It is the policy making organ of the service.
Members of the NCS Board include:
- Minister of Finance (Chairman)
- The Comptroller General of Customs (Deputy Chairman)
- A representative from Fed. Min. of Commerce
- A representative of Ministry of Transport
- A representative of Ministry of Industries
- A representative of Ministry of Trade and Investment
- A representative of Ministry of Aviation
- A representative of Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service
- 2 Members representing the organized private sector for a term 4 years
- Serving DCGs of Customs
- The Legal Adviser of NCS
- Secretary From the Service[4]
Media network
[edit]The Nigeria Customs Service operates a media division with radio and television operations, the Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network.
Reputation
[edit]The Nigerian government claims that the service in recent times has redeemed its image from a corruption riddled government agency to a new organization, that has cleaned itself of corrupt practices pointing to the fact that since the year 2017 its revenue contribution to the country continue to rise above one trillion Naira annually.[5]
Despite the claims of the government that the reputation of the service has improved from a corrupt government agency to an agency that has imbibed the spirit of selflessness to the country over self-enrichment of its officers, several examples of extensive bribery and corruption allegations still exist.
One example (cited by the government) of an incidence that demonstrated a new customs service was the rejection of the sum of $415,000 bribe by an official of the service Bashir Abubakar, being the money offered to him in order to facilitate the release of containers of dangerous drugs [tramadol]
The Nigeria Customs Service is known to have a reputation that has been marred by numerous corruption and fraud scandals across the years. According to Transparency International's 2010 Global Corruption Barometer, more than half of local households surveyed attested to paying bribes to NCS officers in 2009.[7]
To date, compromised staff, complex regulations and bureaucracy surrounding the import and export of goods has nurtured an environment in which bribes are commonly paid. Several companies are also believed to undervalue their goods upon importation to avoid penalties. Yet other companies, operating in the informal economy, resort to smuggling as a means of avoiding legal trade.
Notably, a number of foreign companies have been involved in fraud and corruption scandals in recent years:
- Three subsidiaries of Vetco International – Vetco Gray Controls Inc, Vetco Gray Controls Ltd and Vetco Gray UK Ltd – pleaded guilty to violating anti-bribery provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) when they admitted to making US$2.1 million worth of corrupt payments over a two-year period to officers in the NCS through Panalpina, a Swiss-based freight forwarding firm in Nigeria.[8]
- At the same time as the subsidiaries were charged, another Vetco subsidiary – Aibel International Ltd – entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the US Department of Justice for its involvement in the same scandal. This deferred prosecution agreement entailed co-operation with the Department of Justice, stricter controls and the retention of FCPA monitors. Subsequently, however, the company admitted to failing to comply with its obligations and paid a monetary fine.[9]
- Oil services firm Transocean Ltd made corrupt payments to the value of US$90,000 to Nigerian customs officials between 2002 and 2007 to extend its importation status and receive false paperwork.[10]
- Tidewater Inc., an oil service firm, paid US$1.6 million through Panalpina to Nigerian customs officials to clear vessels into Nigerian waters.[11]
- Noble Energy authorized payments by its local subsidiary to obtain eight temporary permits. In November 2011, Noble, Transocean and Tidewater were three of the companies that settled allegations of involvement in a US$100 million bribery scheme in Nigeria, as part of the Panalpina settlements.[10]
- Royal Dutch Shell entered into a U.S. plea deal in November 2010 over its contractor's involvement in bribing Nigerian customs officials. US authorities accused Shell's subsidiary Shell Nigerian Exploration and Production Co Ltd. of bribing Nigerian customs officials US$3.5 million to quickly process needed equipment for its offshore Bonga field. A heavy fine was levied on Shell after Panalpina, which was also employed by Shell, agreed to plead guilty to taking bribes on behalf of its clients.[12]
In addition to legal cases involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), many Nigerian businesspeople face everyday situations where customs officials ask for bribes to let their goods pass through customs smoothly.[13][14] On the other hand, some customs officials may even demand bribes to allow illegal goods to be smuggled in:
- On February 27, 2024, Premium Times revealed a multi-billion-naira corruption scandal within the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS). High-ranking NCS officials allegedly accepted bribes from smugglers operating along the Nigeria-Niger border. Despite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC detaining seven officers and recovering millions in suspected bribe money, none have been prosecuted, and all have returned to their duties.[15]
- Similarly on February 28, 2024, Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) released a scathing exposé alleging that corrupt officials within the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) hierarchy are facilitating smuggling operations for Ibrahim Egungbohun Dende in Ilaoro, southwest Nigeria.[16]
Despite the detailed allegations, the NCS has yet to respond, and this has led many activists to call for far-reaching reforms[17][18][19] that would place corruption at the back seat and seal up revenue leakages.
Directors and comptroller-general past and present
[edit]- Shehu Ahmadu Musa, as director of NCS 1978–1979
- Jacob Gyang Buba, as Comptroller-General, 2004- May 2008
- Hamman Bello, as Comptroller-General, May 2008- January 2009
- Bernard Shaw Nwadialo, as Comptroller-General January 2009- August 2009
- Abdullahi Dikko, as Comptroller-General 2009–2015
- Hameed Ali, as Comptroller-General 2015–2023
- Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, as Comptroller General 2023–present
References
[edit]- ^ Amaka Anagor (21 June 2023). "From image making to CG, meet Bashir Adewale Adeniyi new Customs boss". Business Day.
- ^ "CUSTOMS HEADQUARTERS – Nigeria Customs Service". customs.gov.ng. Archived from the original on 7 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ Nigeria Customs Service. "Organisation Structure". Nigeria Customs Service. Archived from the original on 4 May 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
- ^ a b https://customs.gov.ng/?page_id=3119.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "FG sets N887bn revenue generation target for NCS in 2019". This Day.
- ^ "Customs officer reject N150M bribe on tramadol imports". Vanguard Nigeria. 22 November 2018.
- ^ "abdullahi dikko inde". Business Anti-Corruption Portal. Archived from the original on 18 June 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
- ^ U.S. Department of Justice (6 February 2007). "Three Vetco International Ltd. Subsidiaries Plead Guilty to Foreign Bribery and Agree to Pay $26 Million in Criminal Fines". PR Newswire. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
- ^ "Aibel Group Limited pleads guilty in the US second time around". European Anti-Bribery Blog. 23 November 2008. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012.
- ^ a b Samuel Rubenfeld (13 January 2011). "Nigeria Arrests 12 Oil Executives Over Alleged Bribery". The Wall Street Journal.
- ^ "SEC Posts Cases Eligible For Whistleblower Rewards". FCPA Blog. 10 November 2011.
- ^ Rowena Mason and Richard Blackden (4 November 2010). "Shell to pay $48m Nigerian bribe fine". Telegraph.
- ^ "How corrupt officials skim government at the ports". Peoples Daily. 4 November 2011. Archived from the original on 2 February 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
- ^ Babs Ajayi (27 May 2011). "End of Oyo Buffoonery But Flagrant Corruption Consumes Nigerian Customs". NigeriaWorld.
- ^ Suleiman, Qosim (27 February 2024). "Top Nigeria Customs officers enmeshed in multi-billion naira corruption scandal". Premium Times. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ Soyombo, Fisayo (28 February 2024). "Nigeria Customs Smuggling Terrorist Motorcyles [sic], Hard Drugs Into Northern Nigeria". Foundation for Investigative Journalisms. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ "Customs of Pagan Tribes in the Kwongoma District of N. Nigeria". African Affairs. XI (XLIII): 332–338. April 1912. doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.afraf.a099512. ISSN 1468-2621.
- ^ "Nigerian Customs and transportation revenue collection". SunNews online. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
- ^ "Revisiting the 1993 Arusha report on customs". SunNews online.
External links
[edit]Nigeria Customs Service
View on GrokipediaHistory
Establishment and Colonial Origins
The origins of customs administration in what is now Nigeria predate formal British colonial structures, with indigenous Yoruba states in the Lagos region operating toll systems on trade routes during the 19th century to generate revenue from commerce in goods like palm oil and slaves.[15] Following the British annexation of Lagos as a crown colony on August 6, 1861, the colonial government established the first formal Customs Department to regulate imports and exports, collect duties, and supplant local tolls, marking the inception of centralized customs control as a fiscal instrument of imperial administration.[15] This early system primarily served to fund colonial governance, with duties on imported spirits, cotton goods, and exported palm products forming a critical revenue stream that underpinned British economic extraction in the region.[15] The Nigeria Customs Service, as a unified entity, was formally established in 1891 by the British colonial administration for the Niger Coast Protectorate, with T. A. Wall appointed as the inaugural Director-General tasked with revenue collection, fiscal accounting, and suppressing smuggling activities across expanding territories.[3][2] This development integrated disparate local customs operations, including those in Lagos, into a structured department aligned with imperial trade policies, emphasizing tariff enforcement to finance infrastructure like ports and railways while protecting British mercantile interests.[3] By the early 20th century, customs duties accounted for a substantial portion of colonial budgets, often exceeding land revenue and enabling administrative expansion without direct taxation on locals.[15] In 1922, the department was reorganized and renamed the Department of Customs and Excise, with the appointment of the first Comptroller to oversee operations amid growing trade volumes following the 1914 amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria into a single protectorate.[3] Enforcement mechanisms evolved with the creation of preventive branches, culminating in the late 1945 establishment of the Customs and Excise Preventive Service under British officer Mr. Nicol, which divided into maritime and land-based units to combat smuggling of goods like rice and textiles that evaded duties.[3] The 1958 enactment of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) No. 55 formalized procedures under a managing board, setting the stage for post-colonial transition while embedding customs as a paramilitary revenue authority integral to Nigeria's fiscal sovereignty.[3] Throughout the colonial era, these institutions prioritized revenue maximization over local economic development, reflecting the extractive priorities of British rule.[15]Post-Independence Evolution
Following Nigeria's independence on October 1, 1960, the Customs and Excise Department initiated a Nigerianisation policy to replace expatriate personnel with indigenous officers, marking the beginning of localized administration.[3] In 1964, Mr. Ayodele Diyan was appointed as the first Nigerian Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, a pivotal shift from colonial oversight; he served until his death in 1968, after which Mr. Henny Etim Duke succeeded him.[3] The 1970s brought structural expansions through legislative measures. Decree No. 7 of 1970 broadened the membership of the Customs Board to enhance oversight and representation.[3] In 1975, Decree No. 41 abolished the Chairman position and established the role of Director, with Alhaji Shehu A. Musa appointed as the inaugural holder on August 28. By April 1, 1977, the Technical and Preventive Services were unified into a single integrated Customs Service, organized into five directorates under Mr. Oyebode Oyeleye as the first Director of this restructured entity.[3] Further evolution in the 1980s emphasized administrative upgrades and ministerial alignments. In 1985, the service was transferred to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, followed by Decree No. 14 on January 11, 1986, which created the Customs, Immigration, and Prisons Board (CIPB) for coordinated paramilitary management. On February 16, 1988, the Director's position was elevated to salary grade level 17, and Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed became the first Comptroller-General.[3] The 1990s solidified the service's modern identity. In 1992, it was returned to the Ministry of Finance and officially renamed the Nigeria Customs Service, reflecting a focus on revenue generation and trade facilitation aligned with national economic priorities. Subsequent leadership transitions, such as the appointment of Ahmed Aliyu Mustapha as Comptroller-General on February 4, 1999, and major reforms under Jacob Gyang Buba in 2004—including the retirement of 75 senior officers—underscored ongoing efforts to streamline operations and combat inefficiencies.[3] These changes evolved the NCS from a post-colonial entity into a semi-autonomous agency emphasizing integration with broader civil service reforms.[3]Key Reforms and Restructuring
Following independence, the Nigeria Customs Service underwent initial restructuring to unify its operations. In 1977, the Technical and Preventive Services were merged into a single unified service organized under five directorates, headed by Director Oyebode Oyeleye, aiming to streamline administrative functions and enhance enforcement capabilities.[3] This followed the 1975 appointment of Alhaji Shehu A. Musa as the first Director, who reorganized the board and departmental structure to address inefficiencies inherited from colonial divisions.[3] Decentralization efforts intensified in the 1980s. In 1985, the Service was transferred from the Federal Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as recommended by a government study group, to improve internal security alignment; it returned to Finance in 1989.[16][3] By 1988, under Director Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, zonal commands were decentralized to promote regional autonomy and faster decision-making at ports and borders.[3] The 1992 Customs and Excise (Consolidation) Decree formalized the Service as a paramilitary body and established the Nigeria Customs Service Board for oversight.[3] Modernization accelerated in the 1990s and early 2000s with technological and procedural reforms. Between 1995 and 1999, under sole administrator governance, the traditional "Long Room" processing was replaced by the Customs Processing Centre, and the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) was introduced with UNCTAD and ECOWAS support to digitize declarations and reduce manual errors.[16] Full ASYCUDA implementation occurred by 2004.[16] A 2003-2004 reform committee, chaired by Mrs. Nenadi Esther Usman, led to a major overhaul: the Service was restructured into three core departments—each under a Deputy Comptroller-General—along with four zonal commands and 25 area commands, accompanied by the retirement of 75 senior officers to inject fresh leadership.[3] Under Comptroller-General Col. Hameed Ali (appointed 2015), aggressive restructuring emphasized revenue generation and anti-corruption. All six Deputy Comptrollers-General resigned in a top-down clear-out, enabling promotion of zonal representatives to balance geo-political equity, with the management reconstituted under six DCGs.[17][18] Reforms included the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS) rollout, Vehicle Identification Number-based valuation, and export terminal expansions, boosting revenue from N977.6 billion in 2015 to over N1 trillion annually by 2020.[16][19] The Nigeria Customs Service Act of 2023, signed into law on 20 April 2023, marked the most comprehensive legislative reform, repealing the 1958 Customs and Excise Management Act to modernize governance. Key changes included establishing a statutory Governing Board for policy direction, enhancing trade facilitation through digital processes, and allocating an additional 4% of Free-On-Board import values to the Service's funding.[20][21][22] This framework supported subsequent initiatives like the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (launched 2013 but refined post-2023) and aimed to align with international standards for efficiency.[3]Mandate and Legal Framework
Statutory Responsibilities
The statutory responsibilities of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) are enshrined in Section 4 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, which repealed the previous Customs and Excise Management Act (Cap. C45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004) and consolidated the agency's core duties into a unified framework.[20] This legislation mandates the NCS to administer, direct, manage, and enforce customs and excise laws, ensuring compliance across import, export, and related activities.[20] A primary responsibility is the collection and accounting of revenue, encompassing customs duties on imports and exports, excise duties on specified goods, charges, fees, and any special assessments directed by the government.[20] The NCS administers government trade and fiscal policies aligned with the Act, promotes trade facilitation in accordance with international conventions and agreements, and collates and publishes trade statistics to support economic planning and analysis.[20][23] The agency is tasked with preventing and suppressing smuggling, customs fraud, and other violations, including conducting border enforcement and regulatory activities in collaboration with entities such as the Central Bank of Nigeria, police, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, and Federal Inland Revenue Service.[20][23] This extends to combating illegal commercial activities, illicit goods trade, intellectual property rights infringements, illegal trade in endangered species, arms, drugs, cultural artifacts, money laundering, and importation of pornographic materials or toxic substances.[23] Security functions include monitoring foreign exchange utilization and engaging in research, planning, and enforcement of fiscal policies.[1] Additional duties involve approving and licensing customs agents—restricted to Nigerian citizens—registering and designating collecting banks, processing manifests, and working with stakeholders to foster industrial harmony.[20][1] The NCS performs incidental functions necessary to fulfill these mandates, such as verifying documents for customs valuation, managing rules of origin, handling customs debts and guarantees, regulating authorized economic operators, and overseeing procedures for warehousing, temporary admissions, drawbacks, and exports.[20] These responsibilities collectively aim to balance revenue generation—targeting over N5 trillion annually in recent fiscal years—with efficient trade processing while safeguarding national borders and economic interests.[1][23]Governing Legislation and Policies
The Nigeria Customs Service derives its primary legal authority from the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, which was signed into law on 20 April 2023 by then-President Muhammadu Buhari and repealed the antecedent Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), Cap. C45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, along with other outdated customs and excise statutes.[20][21] This legislation empowers the Service to represent the Federal Government in customs matters, including the assessment and collection of duties, prevention of smuggling, and facilitation of legitimate trade, while aligning operations with international standards such as the World Customs Organization framework.[24][20] Section 7 of the Act establishes a Governing Board, chaired by the Minister of Finance, tasked with approving strategic policies, issuing operational guidelines, and overseeing regulatory reforms to enhance efficiency and revenue generation.[21][24] The Board also holds authority over tariff schedules, valuation methods, and rules of origin, ensuring compliance with the Harmonized System (HS) nomenclature adopted by the Service for classifying imports and exports.[25][20] Key policies implemented under this framework include mandatory pre-arrival processing of declarations via the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS), requiring importers to obtain Form M certification from the Central Bank of Nigeria prior to shipment, and stipulating that uncleared goods must be disposed of after 30 days of arrival to mitigate port congestion.[26][27] These measures, introduced to streamline clearance and combat revenue leakages, reflect post-2023 reforms emphasizing risk-based assessments and digital integration, though enforcement challenges persist due to infrastructural limitations.[28][26] Supplementary policies govern prohibitions and restrictions, drawing from schedules in the Act that ban imports of items like used clothing, rice, and certain vehicles without waivers, while promoting export incentives for non-oil commodities to diversify revenue sources.[24][25] The Service's guidelines further mandate post-landing audits for high-value shipments and collaboration with agencies like the Nigeria Ports Authority for integrated border management, aiming to balance trade facilitation with security imperatives.[26][29]Organizational Structure
Central Leadership and Headquarters
The headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service is located at No. 2 Lake Taal Close, off Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, serving as the central hub for policy formulation, strategic oversight, and administrative coordination across the agency's nationwide operations.[30] This facility, commissioned in May 2023 at a cost of approximately N20 billion, houses key directorates responsible for national-level functions including tariff administration, enforcement policy, human resources, and information technology modernization.[30] Contact details include telephone numbers 09-5234694, +234-703-789-1156, 0201-889-8888, and 0201-889-8889 (available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday), with email inquiries directed to [email protected].[30] Central leadership is headed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, currently Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, appointed in June 2023 and responsible for the overall management, direction, and accountability of the Service as its accounting officer, while also issuing binding guidelines and internal instructions to subordinates.[31] The Comptroller-General chairs strategic initiatives and represents the agency in high-level engagements, such as international customs forums, including election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organization Council effective July 1, 2025.[32] Adeniyi is supported by eight Deputy Comptrollers-General (DCGs), each overseeing specialized directorates at headquarters: DCG O.C. Orbih (Finance, Administration & Technical Service), DCG G.A. Itotoh (Human Resources Development), DCG C.K. Niagwan (Tariff & Trade), DCG K.I. Adeola (ICT/Modernization), DCG S. Chiroma (Commander, Training and Doctrine Command), DCG A.D. Nnadi (Strategic Research & Policy), DCG G.M. Omale (Excise, Free Trade Zone & Industrial Incentives), and DCG T. Bomodi (Acting Enforcement, Inspection & Investigation).[31] These DCGs manage core functional areas, ensuring alignment with national trade policies and revenue targets, with recent promotions in September 2025 adding four new DCGs (A.B. Mohammed for North-West, G.O. Omale for North-Central, O.C. Orbih for South-South, and D. Nnadi for South-East) and twelve Assistant Comptrollers-General to bolster operational capacity.[33] The structure emphasizes hierarchical command, with Assistant Comptrollers-General and other senior officers reporting through this chain to implement directives from the Comptroller-General.[31]Zonal Commands and Field Operations
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) decentralizes its operations through four zonal commands, each led by an Assistant Comptroller-General serving as Zonal Coordinator, to oversee customs activities across Nigeria's diverse geographic and trade regions.[34] These zones coordinate enforcement, revenue collection, and trade facilitation at federal borders, ports, airports, and inland terminals, enabling localized management of field operations while aligning with national policies.[35] This structure supports efficient resource allocation and rapid response to smuggling and compliance issues, with zonal headquarters providing supervisory oversight to subordinate area commands.[34] Zone A, headquartered in Yaba, Lagos, covers the high-volume South West region and supervises key area commands such as Apapa (sea port), Tin Can Island (sea port), Seme (border post), Murtala Muhammed International Airport, and others including PTML, Lily Pond, and Ogun commands.[34] Zone B, based in Kaduna, manages northern operations through area commands like Kano/Jigawa, Sokoto/Zamfara, FCT, and Kaduna, focusing on land borders and inland trade routes vulnerable to smuggling.[34] Zone C, located in Port Harcourt, oversees eastern commands including Onne (seaport), Port Harcourt I, Eastern Marine, and Edo/Delta, emphasizing oil and gas export terminals alongside general cargo.[34] Zone D, in Bauchi, handles North Eastern field activities via commands such as Bauchi/Gombe and North Eastern Marine, addressing challenges in conflict-prone border areas.[34] Field operations occur primarily at the area command level, where Comptrollers direct on-ground activities including customs clearance, inspections, seizures, and stakeholder engagement at over 20 specialized units nationwide, such as sea ports, airports, border posts, free trade zones, and marine commands.[36] These commands execute core functions like tariff assessment, anti-smuggling patrols, and post-clearance audits, generating significant revenue— for instance, PTML Command alone collected ₦350.3 billion in the first nine months of 2025—while combating illicit trade, as seen in Tin Can Island's seizure of drugs worth over ₦5.3 billion in October 2025.[37][38] Zonal oversight ensures uniformity in procedures, training, and intelligence sharing, mitigating risks from decentralized execution such as corruption or inconsistent enforcement.[35] Recent leadership transitions, like those in Zone A in September 2025, underscore the system's emphasis on continuity and stakeholder-driven improvements in operational efficiency.[39]| Zone | Headquarters Location | Key Area Commands (Examples) | Primary Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Yaba, Lagos | Apapa, Tin Can, Seme, MMIA | Sea/air ports, borders (South West) |
| B | Kaduna | Kano/Jigawa, FCT, Kaduna | Land borders, inland (North) |
| C | Port Harcourt | Onne, PH I, Eastern Marine | Seaports, oil/gas (South East/South) |
| D | Bauchi | Bauchi/Gombe, NE Marine | Borders, marine (North East) |
Specialized Departments and Units
The Nigeria Customs Service maintains several specialized departments and units that provide targeted support for intelligence, legal, audit, modernization, and communication functions, distinct from its core revenue and enforcement operations. These units report directly or through the Headquarters Office to the Comptroller-General, enhancing operational efficiency and compliance.[40][35] The Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) gathers and analyzes intelligence on smuggling activities, revenue leakages, and threats to border security, supplying reports directly to the Comptroller-General via an Assistant Comptroller-General. This unit plays a critical role in proactive enforcement by identifying risks before they materialize at ports or borders.[40] The Legal Department, headed by a Legal Adviser who serves as a member of the Nigeria Customs Service Board, delivers legal counsel, litigates on behalf of the Service in disputes involving duties, seizures, or smuggling prosecutions, and represents the agency before government bodies and courts. It maintains dedicated structures at headquarters and in field commands to address ongoing legal challenges in trade and enforcement.[40] The Internal Audit Unit oversees financial accountability by auditing revenue collections, expenditure vouchers, and operational records in line with federal government guidelines. It conducts unannounced inspections and verifies the integrity of accounting processes to prevent fraud and ensure accurate reporting of import duties and excise revenues.[40] The ICT-Modernization Unit develops and sustains digital systems, including the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS II), deployed across major seaports and airports since its rollout to automate declarations, risk assessments, and payments, thereby reducing processing times and minimizing human error in trade facilitation.[40] The Public Relations Unit, supervised under the Headquarters Office, handles media engagement, public education on customs procedures, and produces the weekly television program Customs Duty, broadcast on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Network Service to inform stakeholders on regulations and enforcement successes.[40] Other specialized entities include the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), which designs and delivers officer training programs focused on customs law, anti-smuggling tactics, and trade valuation techniques, and the Enforcement, Investigation, and Inspection Department, which deploys specialized teams for seizures, forensic investigations, and border patrols targeting illicit goods like arms, narcotics, and counterfeit items.[35] The Tariff and Trade Department further specializes in goods classification, valuation disputes, and tariff policy implementation under the Harmonized System, resolving appeals to prevent revenue shortfalls.[35]Leadership and Governance
Comptroller-General Role and Selection
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) serves as the chief executive officer, overseeing the overall management and strategic direction of the agency.[20] This position entails executing policies set by the NCS Board, supervising revenue collection and fiscal accounts, ensuring compliance with customs laws, and coordinating operational divisions through the Management Committee.[20] The role also includes authorizing investigations, seizures, and penalties; designating customs control zones; managing appeals processes; and fostering professionalism via policy development, rewards for exceptional service, and oversight of units like intelligence and enforcement.[20] Appointment to the Comptroller-General position is made by the President of Nigeria, selecting from career officers within the NCS who hold at least the rank of Assistant Comptroller-General.[20] This selection adheres to the federal character principle to promote equitable representation across Nigeria's geopolitical zones.[20] No formal competitive process or public advertisement is mandated by the NCS Act 2023; instead, the President exercises discretion, often drawing from senior internal candidates with extensive service experience.[41] Tenure follows Public Service Rules, typically lasting five years, though extensions beyond this period have occurred at presidential discretion to support ongoing reforms.[41][42]Board Composition and Functions
The Board of the Nigeria Customs Service functions as the primary policy-making body, overseeing appointments, promotions, and disciplinary actions for Service officers, while administering the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.[43] It holds authority to appoint staff as necessary for operational efficiency and to regulate internal matters through delegated powers.[20] Established on 1 June 1972 under prior legislation, the Board was amended by Decree No. 45 of 1992 and Decree No. 77 of 1993 to include serving Deputy Comptrollers-General as members, reflecting evolving administrative needs.[43] Composition is led by the Minister of Finance as Chairman and the Comptroller-General of Customs as Deputy Chairman.[43] Additional members comprise representatives from federal ministries including Commerce, Transport, Industries, Trade and Investment, Aviation, and Foreign Affairs; the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service; two appointees from the organized private sector serving four-year terms; all serving Deputy Comptrollers-General; the NCS Legal Adviser; and an internal Secretary.[43] This structure ensures inter-ministerial coordination and private sector input, with recent Board actions, such as the approval of four Deputy Comptrollers-General and twelve Assistant Comptrollers-General on 2 September 2025, demonstrating its role in senior leadership appointments.[33] The Board operates via standing committees, including the Appointment, Promotion, and Discipline (AP&D) Committee for personnel oversight and the Finance, General, and Projects (FG&P) Committee for guidance on policies, tenders, revenue targets, budgets, and staff conditions.[43] Its secretariat manages administrative routines, convenes meetings, and monitors compliance with Board directives by NCS management.[43] These mechanisms support the Board's mandate to enhance governance, though implementation depends on executive alignment and fiscal priorities.[43]Notable Past and Present Leaders
Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, appointed Comptroller-General on 20 June 2023, leads the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as its chief executive, overseeing revenue mobilization, trade facilitation, and enforcement operations.[31] His initial five-year tenure, set to expire on 31 August 2025, was extended by one year by President Bola Tinubu to sustain ongoing reforms.[44] Under Adeniyi's direction, the NCS generated ₦1.3 trillion in revenue during the first quarter of 2025, a record attributed to enhanced compliance enforcement and technological integrations.[45] In June 2025, he was elected Chairperson of the World Customs Organization's Council, highlighting NCS's regional influence.[46] Colonel Hameed Ibrahim Ali (retired), who served as Comptroller-General from September 2015 to June 2023, introduced aggressive anti-smuggling measures and revenue optimization strategies, including stricter vehicle import verifications and digital tracking systems that contributed to substantial fiscal gains amid economic challenges.[47] His military background informed a disciplined approach to internal restructuring, though it drew criticism for centralizing authority and resistance to uniform protocols, which some argued undermined operational morale.[48] Ali's eight-year term marked one of the longest in NCS history, emphasizing equity in officer promotions and gender-balanced recruitment.[49] Abdullahi Dikko Inde, Comptroller-General from July 2010 to September 2015, focused on modernization by deploying electronic customs platforms and aligning NCS with international standards, such as the Revised Kyoto Convention, which facilitated smoother trade processing and positioned Nigeria as a leader in West and Central African customs administration.[50] Elected Chairman of the WCO's West and Central Africa Region, Dikko's initiatives included capacity-building programs that enhanced border security and revenue assurance through risk management systems.[50] In the early post-independence period, A. Diyan served as the first indigenous Chairman of the Board of Customs and Excise from 1964, transitioning leadership from colonial appointees and laying groundwork for national control over tariff administration amid Nigeria's federal restructuring.[51] Earlier figures like S. A. Musa (1975–1976) and Abubakar Musa (1982) directed the department during oil boom-era expansions, establishing preventive services to curb illicit trade.[51] These leaders navigated evolving mandates from the Customs and Excise Management Act, prioritizing fiscal sovereignty.[51]Core Operations
Revenue Collection and Tariff Administration
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is mandated to collect import duties, excise duties, and other associated levies on goods entering or leaving Nigeria, accounting for these revenues to the federal government.[23] This function is executed through the Tariff and Trade Division, which projects collectable revenue from customs duties, monitors collections, classifies goods under the Harmonized System (HS) codes, and determines their valuation for duty purposes.[52] The Service implements a tariff system aligned with the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET), which categorizes duties into bands such as 0%, 5%, 10%, and 20% for basic rates, supplemented by additional levies like value-added tax (VAT) and comprehensive import supervision scheme fees, resulting in effective duties often exceeding 50% on over 80% of tariff lines for certain goods.[25] [53] Tariff administration is governed by the Nigeria Customs Service Act of 2023 and the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), which empower the NCS Board to approve and publish the tariff regime, including duty and excise computations, in an official handbook.[20] [29] Valuation adheres to international standards, defining customs value as the transaction price adjusted for elements like transport and insurance costs, while classification ensures accurate HS code assignment to prevent under-declaration or misclassification that could erode revenue.[52] Revenue collection involves pre-arrival processing, risk-based assessments, and electronic payment systems, with supplementary income from fees, auction sales of seized goods, and penalties for infractions.[54] In performance terms, the NCS generated N6.105 trillion in revenue for 2024, exceeding its annual target by 20.2% and marking a 90.4% increase from the N3.21 trillion collected in 2023, driven by enhanced monitoring, anti-smuggling efforts, and process optimizations.[55] [56] Specific commands, such as Apapa, contributed significantly, surpassing prior-year figures early in the cycle through intensified enforcement.[57] For the first half of 2024, strategies including data analytics for projections and real-time collection tracking bolstered outcomes, with commands like Kebbi and Lokoja recording 63% and substantial gains over comparable periods.[57] Excise duty collections alone reached N744 million by July 2025, underscoring diversified revenue streams beyond import tariffs.[58]Anti-Smuggling Enforcement and Seizures
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) enforces anti-smuggling laws under the Customs and Excise Management Act, targeting prohibited and restricted goods such as narcotics, firearms, counterfeit products, and undeclared imports that evade tariffs or pose security risks. Operations are primarily conducted by Federal Operations Units (FOU), zonal commands, and specialized strike forces, which patrol land borders, seaports, and inland routes to intercept smuggling syndicates. These efforts aim to safeguard national revenue, protect local industries from illicit competition, and curb transnational crimes like drug trafficking and wildlife poaching.[57] Enforcement strategies emphasize intelligence-led interventions, including surveillance, informant networks, and inter-agency collaborations with bodies like the Nigerian Army and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. Recent enhancements incorporate digital tools, such as vehicle verification systems and patrol team restructuring, to disrupt smuggling routes in high-risk zones like the southwest borders. Maritime operations utilize locally built airboats for riverine patrols, while legal prosecutions deter offenders through court actions and asset forfeitures.[59][60][61] Seizure statistics reflect intensified operations, with NCS recording 3,555 interceptions in 2024 valued at a duty-paid value (DPV) of ₦35.29 billion, a 100.92% increase from ₦17.56 billion in 2023. In the first quarter of 2025, 298 seizures yielded ₦7.7 billion in DPV, focusing on food items and fuels amid economic pressures. Quarterly data from 2024 shows variability, with Q2 alone registering 1,334 seizures worth ₦17.56 billion, driven by patrols in border areas.[62][63][57] Notable 2025 seizures include Seme Command's ₦1.99 billion haul of expired flour, hard drugs, and other contraband in October, alongside Federal Operations Unit Zone A's ₦1.18 billion in intercepted rice, vehicles, and textiles within six weeks. Western Marine Command reported ₦582.2 million in goods, while Adamawa Command seized 20,600 liters of petrol valued at ₦112.6 million through 29 operations. These actions often involve arrests and auctions of seized items to recover revenue, though challenges persist from sophisticated smuggling tactics and porous borders.[64][65][66][67]Trade Facilitation and Border Security
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) facilitates international trade by implementing streamlined procedures aligned with the World Trade Organization's Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), which Nigeria ratified, though implementation stands at 15.1% for Category A commitments and 41.6% for Category B as of recent assessments.[68] Key mechanisms include the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS), a virtual single window framework enabling electronic declarations, payments, and risk-based processing to reduce clearance times.[69] Under the NCS Act 2023, authorized economic operators (AEOs) receive benefits such as simplified declarations, reduced inspections, and priority release, with the AEO program formally launched in early 2025 to enhance supply chain security and efficiency.[20][70] Recent digitalization efforts, supported by a 20-year concession with Trade Modernisation Project Limited since 2017, have introduced paperless customs, non-intrusive inspection scanners, and AI-driven risk management, yielding revenue gains like a 135.1% increase in scanner-examined cargo value from November 2024 compared to 2023.[71] In September 2025, the NCS Board approved a de minimis threshold for low-value imports to simplify clearance, effective September 8, 2025, alongside the rollout of a One-Stop Shop initiative targeting 48-hour cargo clearance by integrating agency approvals.[72][73] In January 2026, the NCS commenced the Safe Passage framework, allowing international travelers to temporarily import personal vehicles for up to 90 days under a Temporary Vehicle Admission Permit issued after verification of documents including an international passport, driver's license, and vehicle registration, to facilitate travel while ensuring compliance.[74][75] The National Single Window Trade Portal further coordinates cross-agency data for exports and imports, with advance ruling procedures standardized via a 2023 Standard Operating Procedure for tariff classification and valuation queries.[76] On border security, the NCS enforces controls through designated customs zones, including ports, airports, and land borders, with powers under the NCS Act 2023 to conduct warrantless searches, detain suspects for up to 24 hours, and seize goods or conveyances used in violations, treating officers as having police-like authority.[20] Anti-smuggling operations leverage electronic cargo tracking, mobile enforcement units, and joint border management with neighboring countries, as mandated for transit simplification and coordinated controls.[20] In the first quarter of 2025, these efforts resulted in 298 seizures with a duty-paid value of N7.7 billion, a 78.41% rise from the prior quarter despite a 19.7% drop from Q1 2024, targeting contraband like foreign rice and vehicles.[77] A digital vehicle verification platform, launched October 2025, checks import duty status to prevent smuggling of used cars.[78] Seizures in half-year 2024 reports showed an 8.3% increase in volume and 203% in value over the prior period, underscoring intensified patrols and intelligence-driven interventions.[57]Reforms and Modernization
Technological and Process Improvements
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) initiated digital transformation efforts as early as 1998, progressively integrating information and communication technologies to standardize procedures and enhance trade facilitation.[71] A pivotal development was the deployment of the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS) in 2009, functioning as a virtual single window platform to secure and manage trade processes through automated declarations and risk-based assessments.[79] This system evolved into NICIS II, which provided backend control over import/export transactions, incorporating features like electronic payments and document tracking to reduce manual interventions and processing delays.[80] In October 2024, the NCS phased out NICIS II in favor of the B'Odogwu system, a unified platform designed to further streamline customs procedures, including pre-arrival processing and automated valuation.[81] The B'Odogwu rollout included the issuance of Nigeria's first automated Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) on October 8, 2025, enabling faster cargo release by integrating data analytics for valuation and compliance checks.[82] Complementing this, NICIS incorporated artificial intelligence and machine learning for smart fraud detection, flagging high-risk consignments based on historical patterns and anomaly algorithms to mitigate revenue leakages.[83] Recent process enhancements emphasize automation to address bottlenecks such as port congestion. In September 2025, the NCS launched an automated overtime e-clearance system, extending clearance windows for uncleared cargo and targeting a reduction in processing time to 48 hours via a centralized digital portal that minimizes physical inspections.[84] Concurrently, the automation of the Excise Registration System (ERS) began in September 2025, digitizing excise duty registrations to improve compliance monitoring and revenue collection from locally manufactured goods.[85] In October 2025, the Centralized Vehicle Verification Management System (CVMS) was introduced to verify imported vehicles digitally, curbing smuggling by cross-referencing chassis numbers against manifests and reducing clearance times through biometric and database integration.[86] These initiatives align with broader modernization under the NCS Modernisation Project, which integrates hardware, software, and stakeholder platforms nationwide, supported by international partnerships such as with China for capacity building in AI-driven enforcement as of July 2025.[87] Pilot testing of advanced infrastructure in 2024 laid groundwork for scalable digital reforms, though full implementation faces challenges like system interoperability and stakeholder training.[88] Overall, these technological upgrades have aimed to boost efficiency, with projections of billions in additional annual revenue through reduced dwell times and enhanced oversight.[89]Capacity Building and International Partnerships
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) conducts capacity building through targeted training programs designed to improve officers' skills in risk management, post-clearance audit, tariff valuation, classification, and enforcement methods.[88] In 2024, these initiatives supported the promotion of 4,291 senior officers and 1,419 junior officers, including mandatory strategic leadership courses for newly elevated Comptrollers.[88] The NCS maintains institutional structures for basic training, refresher courses, and advanced instruction at command and staff colleges, with recent examples including the July 2025 graduation of senior officers from specialized programs at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs.[90][91] International partnerships form the backbone of NCS capacity enhancement, providing technical expertise, diagnostic assessments, and alignment with global standards. The World Customs Organization (WCO) has been a primary collaborator, conducting a Post-Clearance Audit diagnostic mission from January 29 to February 2, 2024, and an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) diagnostic from February 5 to 9, 2024, both in Abuja, which involved over 40 NCS participants and produced a draft action plan for PCA improvements per WCO guidelines.[92] Building on this, NCS launched its full AEO programme on February 14, 2025, compliant with the WCO SAFE Framework to facilitate secure trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).[70] A subsequent WCO-led AEO validation training occurred from August 26 to 30, 2024, in Lagos.[93] WCO engagements extended to a May 20-31, 2024, workshop at NCS headquarters on Advance Rulings, Harmonized System classification, and Rules of Origin, co-funded by the European Union, Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation, and GIZ, culminating in standard operating procedures and the soft-launch of an advance ruling system.[94] In October 2025, WCO supported an AfCFTA-focused workshop for NCS and stakeholders on Rules of Origin competencies.[95] NCS Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi’s election as the first Nigerian WCO Council Chairperson in June 2025 during Brussels sessions further solidified these ties, enabling deeper intelligence sharing and joint initiatives.[96] Bilateral agreements complement multilateral efforts, such as the July 2025 deepening of cooperation with China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) on modernization, including access to GACC’s 2024 training portfolio of over 8,000 in-person sessions and 360 online courses.[87][97] A historic mutual cooperation pact with Saudi Arabia Customs was signed in June 2025 at the WCO Council, focusing on enforcement and capacity exchange.[98] Additional support came from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) via the WCO Fragile Borders Action Plan in July 2025, targeting border management training.[99] These partnerships yield tangible outcomes like enhanced procedural frameworks and officer proficiency, though their effectiveness depends on sustained implementation amid NCS's resource constraints.[88]Recent Initiatives Under Current Leadership
In September 2025, the Nigeria Customs Service launched the One-Stop-Shop (OSS) initiative, designed to integrate multiple agencies into a unified platform for cargo clearance, reducing processing times from an average of 21 days to 48 hours while minimizing bureaucratic delays and enhancing trader compliance.[100][73] This reform, unveiled on September 23, 2025, during a management meeting, aims to foster greater investor confidence, lower business costs, and align with broader digital trade modernization efforts by consolidating documentation, risk assessment, and payment verification processes.[101] To bolster institutional integrity and public perception, the Service introduced the Reputation Management Guide in August 2025, a handbook providing officers with protocols for ethical conduct, crisis response, and professional interactions to rebuild trust amid historical corruption concerns.[102][103] Comptroller-General Adeniyi emphasized during the launch that the guide serves as a practical tool for officers to act as credible ambassadors, institutionalizing accountability through training and monitoring mechanisms.[103] On the security front, Adeniyi advocated the 'Nigeria First' initiative in May 2025, prioritizing domestic procurement in customs operations and stricter border controls to curb smuggling and support local industries while enhancing national security.[104] Complementing this, the Service deployed the Customs Vehicle Management System (CVMS) in October 2025, a digital platform enabling real-time verification of imported vehicles' clearance status and duty payments to prevent smuggling and revenue leakages.[78][105] These measures form part of ongoing modernization, including integration with the National Single Window system for seamless inter-agency data sharing.[106]Economic Impact and Performance
Revenue Generation Metrics
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) generates revenue primarily through customs duties, tariffs, excise levies, and fees on imports and exports, contributing significantly to Nigeria's federal budget. In 2023, NCS collected ₦3.21 trillion in total revenue.[55] For 2024, the service was assigned a revenue target of ₦5.07 trillion, equivalent to a monthly average of ₦423 billion.[57] Actual collections for the year reached ₦6.1 trillion, exceeding the target by ₦1.03 trillion and marking a 90.4% increase over the 2023 figure.[55] [107] Quarterly breakdowns for 2024 highlight progressive performance: ₦1.3 trillion in the first quarter, ₦1.395 trillion in the second quarter (a 131% rise from Q2 2023's ₦604 billion), and cumulative totals surpassing ₦5.7 trillion by November.[108] [57] [109] Specific commands contributed notably, such as the Onne Area 2 Command's record ₦634 billion for the full year and the PTML Command's nearly ₦362 billion amid operational constraints.[110] [111] Into 2025, NCS maintained momentum, generating ₦1.75 trillion in the first quarter (surpassing the ₦1.645 trillion target by ₦106.5 billion) and ₦3.68 trillion for the first half (exceeding the half-year target by ₦390.2 billion).[112] [113]| Year | Revenue Target (₦ trillion) | Actual Revenue (₦ trillion) | Performance vs. Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Not specified in available data | 3.21 | N/A[55] |
| 2024 | 5.07 | 6.1 | +20.2% (₦1.03T over)[57][55] |
| 2025 (H1) | ~3.29 (implied half-year) | 3.68 | +11.9% (₦0.39T over)[113] |
