Valentine Okafor
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has expressed admiration for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) under the leadership of the Comptroller General, Adewale Adeniyi for the crucial role in stabilising Nigeria’s economy through the effective implementation of government policies.
The commendation was conveyed by the President’s representative, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, at the opening ceremony of the Comptroller-General of Customs’ 2024 Conference, held at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
He lauded the NCS for its proactive approach in supporting the administration’s economic vision, describing the agency as a model of adaptability in times of economic challenge.
The President, who emphasised the importance of initiative among government bodies to advance Nigeria’s economic aspirations, also stated, “Our vision requires government agencies to be proactive in aligning their statutory responsibilities with broader national economic objectives.”
Highlighting the NCS’s accomplishments under Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi. Tinubu singled out the agency’s strategies to confront economic pressures, which included innovative reforms aimed at enhancing trade facilitation.
He reaffirmed the Bola Tinubu-led government’s satisfaction with the Service’s performance in generating revenue, which has bolstered Nigeria’s capacity to fund essential development projects.
The President also stressed the importance of balancing efficient trade facilitation with strict regulatory compliance, commending the NCS’s active border security and anti-smuggling operations.
Earlier, CGC Adeniyi expressed pride in the NCS’s achievements, announcing that the Service had already met its 2024 revenue target of NGN 5.07 trillion, with expectations to exceed it by over 10% before year’s end.
Adeniyi attributed this milestone to the Service’s engagement with stakeholders, its adoption of modern technology, and various reforms aligned with President Tinubu’s economic transformation agenda.
He also highlighted the NCS’s recent landmark achievement in regional trade, as Nigeria made its inaugural shipment under the AfCFTA agreement.
“This step demonstrates our commitment to deepening Nigeria’s integration within the African economic community, and we will position the NCS as a vital partner in Africa’s trade ecosystem.”
Beyond revenue, Adeniyi also focused on the Service’s extensive anti-smuggling operations, disclosing that NGN 28.1 billion worth of illicit goods, including narcotics, arms, and wildlife products, had been intercepted in 2024 alone.
He highlighted “Operation Whirlwind,” a dedicated campaign against petroleum product smuggling conducted in collaboration with the National Security Adviser’s office and the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, as a major initiative in protecting national resources and economic stability.