Customs Boss, Adeniyi Spearheads Efforts to Boost Non-Oil Exports, Announces Record Revenue
By Joy Enamuna
The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has emphasized the service’s commitment to boosting the non-oil export sector in line with the priorities of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration.
Adeniyi stated that the NCS initiated discussions with the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) in the First Quarter to sustain the positive growth in export transactions. A dedicated technical committee has been set up to address concerns and improve export facilitation.
This initiative aligns with the President’s agenda to promote export trade, diversify the economy, and prepare for the commencement of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on April 30, 2024.
Additionally, the NCS reported a remarkable revenue of ₦1.347 trillion between January and March 2024, marking a significant increase compared to the same period last year.
Adeniyi highlighted that the NCS recorded a total of 572 seizures during the quarter, with items valued at NGN 10,593,099,654.50 in Duty Paid Value (DPV). Notably, rice, petroleum products, motor vehicles, and textiles were among the most seized items.
Despite challenges such as fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and non-compliance with regulations, the NCS remains focused on trade facilitation. Adeniyi emphasized the efforts to streamline processes and optimize efficiency across ports to ensure smooth trade transactions.
Furthermore, the NCS processed a total of 311,492 Single Goods Declarations (S.G.Ds) for imports and witnessed a 10.60% growth in export activities compared to the previous year.
Addressing operational challenges, the NCS granted a 90-day window for owners of uncustomed vehicles to facilitate the payment of appropriate duties. The service also prioritized food security in response to a presidential directive.
Adeniyi commended the dedication of NCS officers and their role in driving initiatives, including the successful E-Auction which generated a total revenue of NGN 1.6 billion in February and March.
