The Nigeria Customs Service announced that it generated over N1.3 trillion in revenue during the first quarter of 2024 representing an increase of 122.35% compared to the figure for last year.
This disclosure was made during a media briefing by the Comptroller General of the NCS, Adewale Adeniyi in Abuja on Wednesday.
He stated “The total revenue collected during this period amounted to N1,347,675,608,972.75.
“The collection for the first quarter represents a substantial increase of 122.35% compared to the same period last year, where N606,119,935,146.67 was collected.”
The C.G highlighted the revenue growth in the initial quarter of 2024, with N390.824 billion earned in January 2024; showing a significant 95.6% rise from January 2023’s N199.81 billion.
Similarly, the C-G noted that there was a significant rise of 138.68% and 132.76% in revenue for February and March respectively when compared to the same months in 2023.
The Custom Boss also reported that in this period, the service confiscated 572 items worth N10.59 billion on duty paid value and detained 22 suspects.
He emphasised that rice was the most seized item, making up 39% of the total, followed by petroleum products at 26%, and motor vehicles and textiles at 9% and 6% respectively.
deniyi highlighted the service’s commitment to combating smuggled goods and tackling the issue of harassment of its personnel, laying down plans to boost anti-smuggling efforts with tools like the Geographic Information System.
He explained, “One notable initiative is the integration of geospatial technology alongside the utilisation of satellite imagery and Artificial Intelligence tools and techniques.”
“These efforts were initiated upon my assumption of office to combat the longstanding issue of smuggling and enhance the NCS’s enforcement capabilities for effective monitoring of our extensive 4,000 km borders.”
“Additionally, this initiative will establish a Command and Control center to monitor activities along our borders comprehensively,”
