The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that it surpassed its 2025 revenue goal by ₦674 billion, bringing in more than what it did the previous year.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, shared this news on Monday during the agency’s budget presentation for 2026 before the Senate Committee on Customs.
Mr Adeniyi explained that the service initially set a revenue target of ₦6.584 trillion for 2025, based on its approved budget. Instead, it generated ₦7.277 trillion, which is a 10.24 percent increase over the target.
He also pointed out that the revenue could have been higher if excise duties on telecommunications services had been collected and if import duty waivers on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) equipment had not been given during that period.
The CG mentioned the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on revenue generation. He said disruptions in international trade, especially concerning wheat and other goods, affected income collection.
He further noted that not collecting import duties on military equipment, which made up about 40.52 percent of the lost revenue, also influenced the agency’s earnings.
Proposal for 2026
For the 2026 fiscal year, the NCS has proposed a revenue target of ₦11.04 trillion.Mr Adeniyi stated that ₦5.542 trillion of the expected revenue will go to the Federation Account, ₦1.491 trillion to non-Federation accounts, ₦2.773 trillion from Import VAT, and ₦1.26 trillion from Free-on-Board (FOB) collections.
He added that the agency expects to generate ₦1.235 trillion as operating income, which includes ₦949.86 billion from FOB, ₦55.47 billion from the NCS’s two percent share of VAT, and ₦230.04 billion from ongoing capital budget funding.
Mr Adeniyi said the agency is confident about hitting this target with ongoing reforms. These include the rollout of the Indigenous Unified Customs Information System (UCIS), better post-clearance audits, and smart anti-smuggling operations.
“Our technology platform is now fully operational after overcoming initial challenges. It has greatly improved automation across our commands and boosted revenue collection and trade facilitation,” he said.
On the agency’s performance so far this year, the CG revealed they have already collected ₦4.043 trillion between January and June 2026. He is hopeful they will reach their annual revenue target before the year ends.
He also expressed hope that easing global tensions and better trade conditions would help raise revenue in the second half of the year.
“We are hopeful that the de-escalation of the crisis will continue and that international trade activities will gradually return to normal. June recorded our highest monthly revenue so far in 2026, and we expect that momentum to continue,” he added.
Lawmakers commend Customs
After the presentation, Senate Committee members on Customs praised the agency for exceeding its 2025 revenue target.The committee chairman, Isah Jibrin, commended the CG and his team, urging them to keep the momentum going and exceed the proposed 2026 target.
“I want to commend you and your management team for what you have achieved so far. We urge you to work harder and ensure that you actualise the projected revenue figures for 2026. The committee is satisfied with your responses and remains confident in your ability to deliver,” he said.
Mr Jibrin, who represents Kogi East Senatorial District, then called for a voice vote on the proposed 2026 revenue target, and the committee members approved it.
The committee chairman announced the approval and congratulated the Customs Service. The proposal will now be presented to the Senate in the committee’s report. If the Senate approves it after debate, it will receive final legislative approval.
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