Uche Cecil Izuora
The Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB), has reviewed appointments recently announced in the Nigeria Customs Service, where it also carried out the Service’s revenue performance.
The Board carried out the review at its 65th Regular Meeting held on 2nd September, 2026, chaired by the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Professor Taiwo Oyedele where it considered official matters presented by its standing committees and, following the statutory retirement of some members of the Service.
At the meeting the Board approved the confirmation of the appointments of one (1) Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs (DCG) and five (5) Assistant Comptroller-Generals of Customs (ACGs).
The appointments were made in accordance with the Federal Character Policy of the Government, as provided in Section 14(4) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. The newly confirmed DCG is Constantine Dim (South-East), while the confirmed ACGs are Pascal Chibuoke (South-East), Sani Yahaya (North-Central), Franklin Onyeka (South-South), Chibuzor Eyakwaire (South-South), and Ethelbert Nnaji (South-East).
Furthermore, the Board approved the upgrade of the NCS Medical Corps to a Sub-department headed by an Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, to be assisted by nine (9) Comptrollers. The Board was also briefed on the ongoing recruitment exercise, as successful candidates have been invited for documentation, physical, and medical screening, expected to commence on 7th September 2026. On disciplinary matters, the Board deliberated on several appeals and resolved accordingly, with outcomes including dismissal, exoneration, warning, compulsory retirement, and reinstatement of affected officers.
Similarly, the Board reviewed the Service’s revenue performance for 2026 against an annual target of N11.074 trillion. As at the end of June 2026, collections stood at N4.30 trillion, representing 36.4 percent of the annual target. The Board also noted that the Service intensified efforts through full deployment of the Unified Customs Management System (B’Odogwu), expanded post-clearance and real-time audit, the Authorised Economic Operator and advance ruling programmes, the deployment of geospatial technology, joint border patrols, and deeper engagement with the trading community.
Furthermore, based on the report of the Technical and Operations Committee, the Board approved the Nigeria Customs Service De-Minimis Regulation, 2025, to align it with provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
The Board was also updated on ICT digital transformation initiatives recording substantial progress across trade systems, HR automation, NII infrastructure, and digital applications, as well as an invitation from the Federal Ministry of Finance for memoranda proposing amendments to the Nigeria Customs Service Act for possible inclusion in the 2027 Finance Bill.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, on behalf of the NCSB, congratulated all appointed management members, while reaffirming the Service’s commitment to accountability, institutional strengthening, and sustained revenue mobilisation.