…Elevates top brass, 3,300 others
From Godwin Tsa and Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Federal Government has disclosed that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) generated N3.7 trillion in the first half of 2025, surpassing budgetary expectations and setting the stage for a major digital transformation of trade systems.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, announced this on Tuesday during the 62nd meeting of the NCS Board in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry’s Spokesperson Mohammed Manga on Tuesday, Edun said the figure represents a 12.5 per cent rise above target and a 25 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024.
The Minister, while describing the performance as commendable, noted that the current administration is focused on sustaining the momentum through reforms, particularly the National Single Window Initiative, a digital trade platform scheduled for full rollout in 2026.
“The National Single Window will give Customs the speed and capacity to process trade more effectively, boosting revenue and positioning Nigeria as a more attractive hub for investment,” he stated.
The minister explained that the platform would cut delays, reduce costs, and improve competitiveness, thereby creating a stronger environment for private sector growth.
The board also approved governance changes in the Service, including senior appointments and promotions, to strengthen institutional capacity and uphold professional standards.
Edun stressed that the reforms are in line with President Bola Tinubu’s broader economic strategy aimed at stabilising inflation and exchange rates while building a transparent, technology-driven trade ecosystem to attract private investment and accelerate growth.
In a related development, the NCS board approved the appointment of four Deputy Comptroller-Generals (DCGs) and 12 Assistant Comptroller-Generals (ACGs).
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The Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) has approved a fresh round of appointments and promotions aimed at filling management vacancies, ensuring equitable representation, and strengthening the leadership structure of the Service. The appointments, according to the Board, also align with the availability of positions across the six geopolitical zones and comply strictly with the Federal Character Policy of the Government, as stipulated in Section 14(4) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
The approval was granted at the Board’s 63rd regular meeting held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun. Those appointed as Deputy Comptrollers-General of Customs are AB Mohammed (North-West), GO Omale (North-Central), OC Orbih (South-South), and D Nnadi (South-East). The new Assistant Comptrollers-General include MP Binga (North-East), CA Awo (South-East), AB Shuaibu (North-Central), AT Abe (North-West), K Mohammed (North-West), B Mohammed (North-West), TM Daniyan (North-Central), B Oramalugo (South-East), OP Olaniyan (South-West), B Olomu (South-West), IK Oladeji (South-West), and CC Dim (South-East).
In addition to these top-level appointments, the Board approved the promotion of 3,312 senior officers across various ranks from Comptroller of Customs (CC) to Assistant Superintendent of Customs II (ASC II). Similarly, during its sixth Management Meeting held on Friday, 29 August 2025, the NCS Management approved the promotion of 202 junior officers from Assistant Inspector (AIC) to Customs Assistant I (CA I). These promotions, the Service said, reinforce its commitment to merit-based career progression and the recognition of outstanding performance.
The Board was also briefed on the progress of the Trade Modernisation Project, with notable achievements recorded in the second quarter of 2025 and into July. These include wider deployment of the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), codenamed B’Odogwu, the arrival of six scanners including an FS6000 model for non-intrusive inspection, procurement of Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) equipment, setup of the Centralised Image Analysis System (CIAS) at Customs Headquarters, reinforcement of cybersecurity systems, operationalisation of a multi-channel helpdesk, onboarding of additional stakeholders, and delivery of targeted capacity-building programmes. These milestones, the Board noted, align Nigeria’s clearance processes more closely with international standards.
In matters of discipline, the Board approved the demotion of two officers for misconduct and reinstated two others following a review of their cases. The action, it said, demonstrates its commitment to fairness and accountability within the Service.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, congratulated all newly appointed and promoted officers on behalf of the Board and urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them. He reaffirmed the Service’s dedication to innovation, inclusivity, transparency, and excellence in service delivery, while also expressing appreciation to the Minister of Finance for his continued support and guidance.
