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

FGN Poised To Dismantle Kidnap Economy – General Laka

Published

2 weeks ago

July 30, 2025

Our Reporter

From Lateef Taiwo

The Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTC-ONSA), Major General Adamu Laka, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to ending kidnap economy in the country.

General Laka stated this while briefing newsmen on the activities of the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell in collaboration with the United Kingdom – National Crime Agency on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said the centre had officially launched the State Expansion Programme of the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell, bridging a critical gap between national security coordination and state-level tactical response.

The National Coordinator noted that kidnapping in Nigeria was no longer a random crime, but an industry being ran by sophisticated and well-armed criminal networks that thrive on fear and fund violence through ransoms.

According to him, the programme was aimed at dismantling that economy by connecting national strategy with boots-on-ground action.

He said the fusion cell was created in partnership with the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to facilitate high-profile rescues and breaking up kidnapping rings across the country.

The national coordinator noted that kidnapping in Nigeria was no longer a random crime, but an industry being ran by sophisticated and well-armed criminal networks that thrive on fear and fund violence through ransoms.
According to him, the programme was aimed at dismantling that economy by connecting national strategy with boots-on-ground action.

He said the fusion cell was created in partnership with the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to facilitate high-profile rescues and breaking up kidnapping rings across the country.

General Laka noted the cell had played key roles in supporting rescue operations, disrupting kidnapping networks, and improving interagency coordination.

According to him, experience has shown that while national coordination is crucial, state-level engagement is also indispensable.

“Too often, real-time intelligence, local knowledge, and operational readiness reside with field commands, while national coordination can only succeed when it is informed by ground realities.

“This is the primary purpose of this programme – to close the gap between national-level coordination and state-level response. Essentially, to build direct operational linkages between the Cell and state commands across the country,” Laka said.

Economy

Food Security: Sanwo-olu Commended Over Launch of ₦500bn ‘Produce for Lagos’

Published

2 weeks ago

July 26, 2025

Our Reporter

The Good Governance Campaign Forum (GGCF) has praised the Lagos State Government for launching the “Produce for Lagos” programme, describing this initiative and its ₦500 billion Offtake Guarantee Fund as a brilliant solution to the food insecurity challenges the nation faces.

The Forum issued this commendation in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Rahman Suleiman, on Wednesday, following the official unveiling ceremony of the program earlier in the week.

The program aims to transform Lagos’ food system and reduce the state’s dependency on external food sources, receiving positive recognition both within and outside the state for the Sanwo-Olu-led government’s efforts.

According to Suleiman, the initiative is timely and represents a pioneering collaboration between the Lagos State Government, the private sector, the Lagos Food Systems Infrastructure Company (LAFSINCO), Ekolog, and the Lagos Bulk Trading Company. He noted that this model is designed not only to enhance food production and logistics across the state but could also serve as a scalable framework for improving livelihoods and national resilience.

Suleiman shared insights from the Forum’s sampling of public opinion in Lagos and other states, indicating that people are pleased with the Lagos State Government’s strategic programs aimed at tackling hunger and starvation. He emphasized that a key component of the “Produce for Lagos” program is its data-driven approach, which will help address agricultural inefficiencies and strengthen value chains.

“Food security is a collective responsibility that we cannot afford to neglect as a nation,” Suleiman stated. “We are grateful to God for providing us with a leader like Sanwo-Olu, who is visionary, forward-thinking, and compassionate toward ordinary people.”

He commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for consistently setting benchmarks and leading by example in subnational governance. These achievements underscore the economic growth, infrastructural development, and urban planning efforts of the Lagos government.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu is a trailblazer; he has done exceptionally well, and we fully support his programs and policies. His work over the past six years speaks for itself,” he added.

Suleiman noted that this initiative, a partnership between the state government and the private sector, is expected to significantly boost agricultural production.

During the launch, Governor Sanwo-Olu also announced the deployment of a fleet of 150 cold and dry trucks—the largest of its kind—in partnership with the private sector.

Business mogul Tony Elumelu, who supported the project with ₦25 billion, stated that food security is crucial and expressed satisfaction with the collaboration between Lagos and other participating states.

Other prominent individuals at the event included Amir Kamel, Vice President of Afreximbank, and Michel Deleen, the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, among other dignitaries.

Economy

Constitution Amendment: Group Urges NASS, FG To Prioritise Restructuring, Regionalism

Published

3 weeks ago

July 24, 2025

Our Reporter

… rejects the creation of new states

A prominent youth organization, the Youth Bureau, has urged the National Assembly to prioritize genuine restructuring of Nigeria, emphasizing regional autonomy and the establishment of State Police without further delay. This call comes as the legislature reviews the nation’s constitution.

The demand was articulated in the group’s Position Paper presented to the National Assembly Committee on Constitutional Amendment for the South-West Zone, which convened recently in Lagos.

In a statement signed by its Southern Coordinator, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Thursday in Lagos, the Youth Bureau also rejected calls for the creation of new states. The group warned that the Supreme Court’s judgment on local government contradicts their position, asserting that its implementation should be set aside. They believe only the State Government should have the authority to create local governments.

AbdulRazaq urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritize comprehensive restructuring, as it is fundamental to effective governance and development. He encouraged the National Assembly Committee on Constitutional Amendment to make bold decisions that will have a positive impact on the populace.

He pointed out that the regional governments established in the late 1960s in Nigeria facilitated healthy governance and development, particularly under the Action Group government led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the Western Region. During that period, significant advancements were made in free education initiatives, healthcare infrastructure, industrialization, and overall infrastructure growth.

AbdulRazaq noted that the abolition of regional autonomy by the late General Aguyi Ironsi led to a unitary system of government, which resulted in excessive concentration of power in the central government, a lack of adherence to the rule of law, and restricted resource control and financial autonomy for the regions.

The Youth Bureau’s position paper includes the following demands and recommendations for the National Assembly Committee on Constitutional Amendment:

Our Demands

We urge the National Assembly Committee to consider the following:

Genuine restructuring of the country based on regional autonomy.
No need for the creation of additional states.
The formation of State Police without further delay.
Recognition that local government is a component of state government; the Supreme Court’s judgment on local government contradicts this principle, and its implementation should be set aside. Only the State Government should have the authority to create local governments.

Conclusion

We believe that a decentralized governance system founded on devolution and decentralization will ensure political and fiscal autonomy for its component units and promote equity among them. We urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritize comprehensive restructuring and encourage the National Assembly Committee to make bold decisions that positively affect the citizenry.

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