Economy

Customs generates N1.293trn revenue in 6 months

Published

3 years ago

August 13, 2022

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), says it has generated N1.293 trillion in the first six months of 2022 into the Federation Account.

The NCS Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Timi Bomodi said this at a news conference on Friday in Abuja.

He said the amount was an increase compared to N1.004 trillion generated for the corresponding period in 2021.

According to him, the amount generated in 2022 surpassed the service’s achievements for 2021 by N48 billion accounting for 28.8 per cent.

He said the revenue generation was remarkable, given the fact that only 116, 691 Pre-Arrival Assessment Reports (PAARs) were issued against 129, 667 processed within same period of 2021.

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the Headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service for unveiling of our half year score card.

“It comprehensively captures our activities for the period from January to June 2022.

“The revenue target given to the Nigeria Customs Service for the year 2022 is N3.019 trillion, exceeding the target for 2021 by 80.78 per cent.

“As it has become customary, the service remains focused and steadfast in its commitment to meeting the challenges of the moment.

“It is fully confident in its ability to innovate and adapt to a dynamic socio-economic environment,” he said.

Bomodi said that the sum of N156 billion was also generated into the non-federation account as collections on behalf of other government agencies.

While giving a breakdown of the amount generated within the period under review, the PRO said it was generated from excise, free trade zones and industrial incentives, and anti-smuggling among others.

On excise, free trade zones and industrial incentives, Bomodi said excise duty was tax levied on the manufacture, sale and consumption of goods under excise control.

He said it was collected through 22 commands of the Service.

The PRO said that a total of N68 billion was collected from manufacturers of alcoholic beverages as well as cigarettes and tobacco among other products

“In the month of June, the service began collections from extant traders producing carbonated and sugary drinks newly added under schedule five of the CET.

“So far, the service has collected more than one billion Naira from carbonated and sugary drinks in the month of June.

“Other revenues from telecommunication, like call and data and digital network services are yet to be collected.

“The service is expected to start collecting revenue on these products and services as soon as the modalities for collection are put in place.

“Duties from these revenue sources are expected to boost our collections in the current year,” he said.

Bomodi also said that out of the 42 free trade zones in Nigeria, only 25 were active, with 15 of them operating in Zone ‘A’, 4 in Zone ‘B’, 5 in Zone ‘C’ and 1 in Zone ‘D’.

He said that in addition to providing employment opportunities for Nigerians, the special economic zones were expected to engender transfer of technology, and building of local capacity among others.

On enforcement and anti-smuggling, Bomodi said in the period under review various goods with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N39 billion were seized due to policy infringements.

He said the top seven items seized were narcotics and other illicit drugs with a DPV of N8.8 billion, followed by foreign parboiled rice with a DPV of N8.3 billion

The PRO said that illegal import of dangerous pharmaceuticals with a DPV of N7.6 billion were seized, including used clothing with a DPV of four billion Naira and petroleum products with a DPV of Four billion Naira.

According to him, textiles and made up fabrics with a DPV of three billion Naira and motor vehicles with a DPV of two billion were seized.

Bomodi said the DPV value of seizures in the current year exceeded the ones made in 2021 by N34.8 billion.

On other efforts made by the service in the area of illegal wildlife trafficking and trade, Bomodi said the service had collaborated with the United States Embassy in Nigeria.

He said that the service also collaborated with the British and German governments in creating a Special Wildlife Office

The PRO said the collaboration had seen to the arrest of 12 foreign and local suspects, confiscation of 1, 236.5 kilogramme of pangolin scales and 145 kg of ivory.

According to Bomodi, all suspects have been charged to court and are awaiting conviction.

On anti-money laundering and financing of terrorism, he said the service made seizures of 339,800 dollars, 12,000 Pounds, 3.013 million Ryad, 20,005 Ceifer and 133 Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards.

He said that seven persons were arrested in violation of the Anti-Money laundering Act and were handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

On staff training and welfare, he said officers had continued to upgrade their skills through refresher courses at the various training colleges and at the Command and Staff College among others.

He said the trainings were designed to equip them with the knowledge and know-how to function efficiently in a 21st century Customs administration.

“As we approach an era of 100 per cent automation of all our services, we are mindful of the quality of training needed to manage both the transition and the sophisticated technological assets.

“The service has set out to improve on the living standards of its officers and men.

“To this effect, it has built new barracks and staff quarters across the four zones of the federation and provided bussing services,”he said.

Bomodi said that the service had acquired new and rugged vehicles capable of withstanding the rough terrain particularly in border areas.

“”The service has continued to improve on its business processes through the introduction of innovative services that have simplified, harmonized and automated its core functions.

“One of the successes recorded so far is the VIN-Valuation protocol which uses the vehicle Identity number as a guide for the payment of appropriate taxes,” he said.

He listed other areas of achievement to include stakeholder engagement, deployment of scanners and recruitment.

He assured Nigerians that the service would focus on fortifying risk management tools to minimize leakages and curtail activities of non compliant traders among other things.

“We understand the important role of technology in this endeavor, that is why our focus is on actualizing full automation in the concession agreement.

“The agreement is vetted by Infrastructure Concession Regulation Commission (ICRC) and signed with Trade Modernization Nigeria Limited and our technical partners Huawei Technologies Limited,” he said.

Bomodi said the agreement would transform operations of the service by taking it to the same level with leading customs administrations.

Economy

Nigerians to Pay More for Petrol as Fuel Prices Rise Nationwide

Published

20 hours ago

October 7, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

Nigerians are facing yet another spike in fuel prices as premium motor spirit (petrol) now sells for between ₦905 and ₦945 per litre across several filling stations in Abuja.

Checks on Monday, October 6, 2025, revealed that Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) retail outlets, along with Empire, AA Rano, and Shema filling stations, adjusted their pump prices upwards. Empire Filling Station in Gwarimpa reportedly sold petrol at the highest rate of ₦945 per litre.

Other stations, including MRS, Emedeb, Ranoil, and Eterna, dispensed petrol between ₦885 and ₦910 per litre.

Marketers Blame PENGASSAN Strike for Price Surge
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) attributed the sudden hike to disruptions caused by last week’s strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

IPMAN President, Abubakar Maigandi, explained that the price increase was largely due to supply interruptions. He noted that stations receiving supplies from Dangote Refinery were still selling between ₦885 and ₦895 per litre, adding that prices were expected to stabilize soon.

“The feud between Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN may have triggered panic buying and artificial scarcity. I can assure you that prices will drop and return to normal in the coming days,” Maigandi said.

IPMAN spokesperson Chinedu Ukadike also confirmed that the PENGASSAN strike caused temporary shortages in Lagos and Abuja but expressed optimism that availability would improve as supply chains normalize.

Depot Prices Edge Up
Depot prices have reportedly risen slightly, with Dangote Refinery selling petrol at ₦844 per litre, Ranoil and Aiteo at ₦845, and NIPCO at ₦850 in Lagos.

The fuel price increase comes just days after Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN resolved their dispute over the alleged mass dismissal of Nigerian workers, which led to a two-day strike. Federal Government intervention helped broker peace between both parties.

Dangote Refinery later thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other mediators for their role in ending the strike.

Shettima, PENGASSAN Trade Words
Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima, speaking at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES31) on Monday, criticized PENGASSAN, declaring that “Nigeria is bigger than the union.”

In response, PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo countered, saying the country is also “bigger than Dangote Refinery and the presidency,” emphasizing the union’s commitment to protecting Nigerian workers’ rights.

Economy

Tourism wearing a new face in Kwara: Commissioner

Published

1 week ago

September 28, 2025

Our Reporter

Urges Kwarans, foreigners to embrace it Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Kwara State Government has continued to showcase the beauty of culture and traditional assets and its uniqueness in the daily lives of the citizens, urging the people to embrace it for development.

The State Commissioner for Communications, Hon. Bolanle Olukoju, had earlier in a broadcast, enjoined the people of the State, at home and in the diaspora, to embrace tourism as a tool for developmental progress to sustain transformational growth in line with the policy thrust of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s-led administration.

The Commissioner made the call to mark the 2025 World Tourism day with the theme, ‘Tourism and Sustainable Transformation’, as declared by the United Nation’s World Tourism Organization(UNWTO).

According to Olukoju, tourism is more than travel, it is actually a way of supporting people, culture, and the environment while driving economic growth, urging all and sundry to explore the various tourist sites around them.

“Tourism is not just travel, it is about building a future where every journey contributes to people, culture and planet, it is about hospitality that opens our heart and also helps to preserve our heritage and create opportunities for growth and development”, She said.

The Commissioner, who was delighted that the Ilorin Emirate Durbar was recently ranked among the top ten festivals in Nigeria, celebrated Hajia Faridah Shagaya, who was recognised among Africa’s top tourism personalities, describing the recognitions as sources of pride for the state.

She commended the administration of Governor AbdulRazaq for investing in tourism and hospitality, citing projects such as the Visual Arts Centre, Flower Garden, and Sugar Factory Film Studios, among others, as commendable efforts.

She also announced that this year’s celebration includes a roundtable with stakeholders to advance discussions on the future of tourism in Kwara State.

“Tourism is wearing a new face, from the Sugar Factory Film Studio, the Visual Arts Centre and the improved road network to Owu Waterfalls and many more which are evident of his work and is gradually opening Kwara to the World”, she added.

The Commissioner, who was represented at the event by the Director, Personnel, Finance and Supply, Hajia Salamat Yahaya, assured that tourism will continue to receive priority attention under the present administration and urged all stakeholders to support the ongoing efforts to make Kwara a leading destination for culture, heritage, and hospitality.

In her remarks, the Secretary, kwara State Hospitality and Tourism Development Board, Hajia Ramat Akanni, applauded the present administration for priority attention given to the Board.

Hajia Akanni expressed optimism towards an enviable tourism and hospitality driven state, which she assured, would attract prospective investors and enhance revenue generation for the state.

She sought support and utmost compliance from hoteliers and relevant stakeholders to achieve the desired goals, pointing out that violators will face the full wrath of the law.

Relevant stakeholders and participants at the one-day event later visited Sobi Hills and the Kwara Sugar Film Factory as part of activities marking the celebration.

End

Economy

FAAN Rolls Out Cashless Payment System at Lagos, Abuja Airports

Published

2 weeks ago

September 26, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has introduced a new contactless and cashless payment system, tagged Operation Go Cashless, in partnership with Paystack.

In a statement on Thursday, FAAN announced that the initiative will take effect from September 29, 2025, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

“Effective September 29, 2025, all payments at FAAN revenue points, including airport access gates, car parks, and FAAN VIP and protocol lounges, will go cashless. This means we will be phasing out cash collection at these points,” the statement read.

According to FAAN, the new system will provide travellers and airport users with faster, more seamless services through a secure, contactless platform. The agency explained that the shift responds to rising demand for modern, transparent payment methods and aligns Nigeria’s airports with global digital standards.

FAAN added that reducing cash handling will enhance efficiency, strengthen revenue assurance, and improve customer experience. It also noted that the cashless policy will be gradually extended to other airports nationwide.

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