Nigeria Customs Service Reports Record Revenue Collection for 2025 Fiscal Year
The Nigeria Customs Service has announced a remarkable financial performance for the 2025 fiscal year, generating a total revenue of N7.2 trillion. This impressive figure represents a significant achievement, as it exceeds the agency's predetermined target of N6.5 trillion by a substantial margin of N697 billion, marking a growth rate of over 10% above expectations.
Revenue Growth and Enforcement Successes
During the International Customs Day event held in Abuja, Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi revealed these financial results, highlighting the agency's improved performance compared to the previous year. In 2024, the Customs Service collected just over N6.1 trillion in revenue, making the 2025 figures particularly noteworthy. The Senate Committee on Customs had previously raised the agency's revenue target to N10 trillion following the 2024 collection, making the 2025 achievement even more significant.
The revenue growth was accompanied by strengthened enforcement activities throughout the year. The Customs Service recorded more than 2,000 seizures of prohibited and harmful goods, with an estimated combined value of approximately N59 billion. These intercepted items included narcotics, counterfeit products, and substandard consumer goods that pose risks to public health and safety.
Lagos Ports Lead Revenue Generation
The revenue growth was most pronounced at Nigeria's major Lagos ports, which continue to serve as critical economic gateways for the nation. Tin Can Island Port generated about N1.57 trillion as of December 11, 2025, representing a substantial increase from the approximately N1.25 trillion recorded in the previous year. Area Controller Frank Onyeka attributed this growth to enhanced internal coordination, improved compliance measures, and intelligence-driven operations, with bulk cargo, general merchandise, and used vehicles accounting for the majority of throughput.
Apapa Port, Nigeria's largest revenue-generating command, recorded collections of approximately N2.93 trillion, reflecting an impressive increase of more than 20% compared to 2024 figures. Area Controller Emmanuel Oshoba credited this success to effective leadership, disciplined manpower management, and increased utilization of technology, particularly the Unified Customs Management System known as B'Odogwu, which aims to reduce manual processing and enhance operational transparency.
Challenges and Future Plans
Despite these achievements, Comptroller-General Adeniyi acknowledged ongoing challenges within Nigeria's port system. He explained that delays in cargo clearance often stem from structural issues within the broader port ecosystem rather than Customs procedures alone. Improving cargo movement efficiency will require coordinated efforts among Customs authorities, port management, and maritime operators, as goods frequently face system-wide constraints that prevent rapid movement.
Looking forward, the Nigeria Customs Service has announced several strategic initiatives to build upon its 2025 success. These include:
- Expanding the nationwide rollout of the B'Odogwu digital platform
- Deploying new high-capacity cargo scanners at strategic ports across the country
- Implementing the Time Release Study as a continuous diagnostic tool to improve Nigeria's trade environment
- Maintaining ongoing border security measures and procedural reforms to protect the public while facilitating legitimate trade
The agency also continues to implement systems that allow international travelers to bring personal vehicles into Nigeria temporarily under strict conditions, applicable to privately owned, non-commercial vehicles entering for tourism, official, business, or personal visits. Such vehicles may circulate nationwide but must leave the country within approved timeframes.
The Nigeria Customs Service's 2025 performance demonstrates significant progress in revenue generation and border security, positioning the agency as a crucial contributor to Nigeria's economic stability and trade facilitation efforts.
