In the last few years, Nigeria’s economy has diversified its revenue streams. The country has stopped its over-reliance on oil to other streams such as export and revenue from cargo imported into the country.
The revenue generated from these multiple streams is spent on developmental projects such as bridges, railways, superhighways, airports, and seaports, among others.
These superstructures are built or developed from revenue generated through imported cargoes at the seaports.
To this end, in the last decades, import revenues have improved as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) introduced cutting-edge technology to maximise revenue, plug leakages as well as increase collection.
In 2024, the service generated N6.1 trillion which represented an increase of N2.9 trillion or 90.4 per cent compared to the N3.2 trillion recorded in 2023.
“The total 2024 revenue collected comprises three main components which include the federation accounts with N3.6 trillion. The second was the non-federation accounts levy, where we had N816.9 billion, and the third component was the value-added tax, where we collected N1.6 trillion,” the Customs CG, Adewale Adeniyi, explained.
However, as revenue generation increases, unscrupulous importers are also using the opportunities to import contraband, such as illicit and fake drugs, into the country, thereby threatening public health and national security.
But, as they imported these outlawed cargoes, the service continued to nip flawed importation in the bud, intercepting and destroying the uncustoms goods as they imported them into the country.
The two largest seaports -Apapa and Tin-Can Island- are in Lagos. The two seaports account for over 85 per cent of importation into Nigeria.
Apapa Port contributes approximately 30.359% to the overall Customs revenue while Tin Can Port contributes around 25.367% to the overall customs revenue.
Other Ports in Lagos, such as PTML, contribute 11.911%, while Tin Can II contributes 1.143%, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal contributes 1.502%, and Lagos Industrial contributes 1.065%.
But, as these commands generate revenue, they take national security, public health safety and trade facilitation into serious consideration. The above-mentioned, it was gathered, takes centre stage before revenue generation.
For instance, as the Tin-can Island Command continues to record revenue boosts, the command also ensures that uncustom cargoes are not allowed into the country.
According to the Tin-Can Island Command Customs Area Controller, Compt. Frank Onyeka, as it prioritizes revenue, the command declared zero tolerance for the importation of illicit cargo into the country.
Speaking on the commands revenue generation in Q1, Compt. Onyeka stated that the command generated N347.9 billion from Imports between January and March 2025.
Onyeka said the amount generated in Q1 2025 is 12.6% higher than the N304 billion generated in Q1 2024.
“The January 2025 revenue generation record showed a total of N116.4 billion which represents 24.06% over and above the figure of N88.43 billion recorded within the corresponding period of 2024.
“The record for February 2025 also showed that the sum of N103.25billion was generated which is also 2.90% over and above the sum of N100.25billion generated over the corresponding month of February 2024.
“The Command generated the sum of N128.26 billion for March 2025, and this is 10.3% higher than the N115.10 billion generated over the corresponding period of 2024. The total amount generated for the first quarter of 2025 is thus N347.93billion which is 12.6% higher than the N304billion generated in the corresponding period of 2024.”
The command also intercepted huge contraband such as illicit, fake drugs, arms, and ammunition worth over N8 billion.
Recently, the command also handed over a seized consignment of imported illicit drugs to the Nationa Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The command explained that the successful interception of the offensive items was the outcome of collaboration and intelligence sharing between the Customs and men of the anti-narcotic agency.
Comptroller Onyeka disclosed that the two units of 20ft containers, which were intercepted in different batches, were falsely declared as used cars and used auto spare parts imported from Canada.
Giving the breakdown of the seized containers, he explained that the container with registration number TCNU 194586/1 was intercepted on February 27, 2025, and found to contain 128 packets of Cannabis Indica, weighing 63.75 kilograms with an estimated street value of N414.37 million.
The second container with No. MSMU 838666/3 was intercepted on the 12 of December 2024 and was found to contain 97 packets of Crystals Methamphetamine, weighing a total of 78.3 kilograms with an estimated street value of N2 billion and 1,735 packets of Cannabis Indica with a total weight of 867.5 kilograms and an estimated street value of N5.63 billion, which brought the total street value of the seized drugs to N8.05 billion, Onyeka said.
Onyeka has so far proven that the NCS does not only prioritize stakeholders’ utmost friendly trading atmosphere but also requires stakeholders to step up their participation through increased compliance.
Also, at the Premier ports, Apapa Command, the Customs Service has been busting activities of importers importing illicit drugs, fake medicament and other contraband into the country.
Recently, the command intercepted 12 containers load of offensive imports made up mostly of expired Pharmaceuticals with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.8 billion.
This interception came days after the command announced the interception of 7x40ft containers laden with both non-trade and unapproved goods with a combined DPV of N292 million.
Aside from the massive interception of uncustoms goods worth several billions in Nigeria, the command also generated a whopping N753.8 billion between January to March 2025.
The generation it was gathered was N205 billion higher than the corresponding period of 2024.
Speaking when the House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise led by the Chairman, Hon. Leke Abejide paid an oversight visit on the command, the Command’s CAC, Compt Babatunde Olomu, stated that the command achieved a daily record-breaking revenue generation of N18.9 billion on Friday, March 14, 2025
“Consequently, between January 2025 and now, the command is pleased to announce that a total sum of N753.8 billion has been generated as a feat for the first quarter of 2025 This is N205 billion higher than the corresponding period in 2024.
“But, permit me to reiterate that under the guardian and effective supervision of the Comptroller General of Nigerian Customs, we are optimistic about not just meeting but also surpassing our 2025 revenue.
“May I also state that the CGC is directly instrumental to our successes in terms of productivity? It is noteworthy to state that this command achieved a daily record-breaking revenue generation of N18.9 billion on Friday, March 14, 2025.
“This is the highest in the 135-year history of the service. This new record broke the existing highest daily collection of N18.2, which we achieved last year, October 2024,” he stated
“This command oversees Customs activities with the capacity to handle the highest volume of trade, not only in Nigeria but also in the west and central African sub-region. Our core responsibilities include revenue generation and accounting for governments for smuggling activities and, more importantly, facilitation of legitimate trade.
“Over 70% of customs revenue collection in Nigeria is attributed to Lagos Port, and Abapa Command is responsible for about 50% of this collection.
“Therefore, the command has been instrumental in enhancing the ease of doing business in Nigeria by improving Customs operations and clearance processes, reducing delays in cargo clearance and leveraging technology through the use of ICT and FastTrack.”
We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →
Join Our WhatsApp Channel
