The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that seizures on smuggled rice topped the most seized items in the first quarter of 2025.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi disclosed these achievements during a press briefing held on April 22, 2025, at the NCS headquarters in Abuja.
Adeniyi said “Rice remained the most prevalent seized commodity, with 159 cases involving 135,474 bags valued at ₦939,309,698.00. Petroleum products followed with 61 seizures totaling 65,819 liters (₦43,336,160.81 DPV).
“Of particular note were 22 narcotics interceptions valued at ₦730,748,173.00, reflecting our intensified focus on combating drug trafficking.
The Service, he noted also recorded three high-value wildlife product seizures with a remarkable ₦5,653,522,600.00 DPV, underscoring both the lucrative nature of this illegal trade and our commitment to environmental protection under international conventions.
The Customs boss also disclosed a robust performance for the first quarter of 2025, exceeding its revenue target and recording significant gains in anti-smuggling operations and trade facilitation.
Speaking on the revenue collection surpassed target, Adeniyi said rhe NCS collected ₦1.75 trillion in revenue for Q1 2025, surpassing its quarterly benchmark of ₦1.65 trillion by ₦106.5 billion and achieving 106.47% of its projection.
According to him, this marks a 29.96% increase compared to the same period in 2024, when the service collected ₦1.35 trillion. Month-by-month analysis showed January collections up 65.77% year-on-year, with February and March also exceeding targets and 2024 figures.
On anti-smuggling efforts yield results, he disclosed that the Customs officers made 298 seizures in Q1 2025, with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦7.7 billion—a 78.41% increase from Q4 2024. However, this figure represents a 19.7% decrease compared to Q1 2024, attributed to improved compliance and the deterrent effect of enforcement.
Seized goods, the CGC stated – included 135,474 bags of rice, petroleum products, narcotics, wildlife products, textiles, retreaded tires, and pharmaceuticals.
Speaking on trade facilitation and modernization, he maintained , the Customs top brass, affirmed that NCS processed 327,928 import transactions in Q1 2025, up 5.28% from the previous year, and handled goods with a CIF value of ₦14.8 trillion—a 26.72% increase.
On Export shipments declined in number but rose sharply in mass, reflecting a shift toward bulk commodity exports and improved processing efficiency. The total trade value managed by the NCS reached ₦36.3 trillion for the quarter.
Key modernization initiatives included the expansion of the B’Odogwu customs clearance platform and the launch of the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) programme, aimed at rewarding compliant businesses with faster processing. The NCS also rolled out its “Customs Cares” corporate social responsibility programme, supporting education, health, and food security across Nigeria.
Speaking on the challenges , the Comptroller General of Customs,stressed that “The NCS faced challenges from exchange rate volatility, policy changes, and evolving smuggling tactics. Exchange rates fluctuated 62 times during the quarter, creating uncertainty for importers. The agency also navigated the suspension of the Financial Customs Service Operation and new tariffs on Nigerian exports to the United States.
“Looking ahead, the NCS aims to accelerate modernization, expand digital platforms, and enhance service delivery, aligning with the federal government’s broader economic and trade reforms. Adeniyi reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to transparency, stakeholder engagement, and continued contributions to national revenue and security.
“The NCS’s strong Q1 2025 performance underscores its pivotal role in Nigeria’s economic strategy and the ongoing reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.”
