Customs Earns Ministerial Praise, Charged to Set Global Benchmarks in Trade Facilitation

By Stella Okocha 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has received commendation from the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, for its outstanding revenue performance, strategic investment in technology, and ongoing reforms aimed at improving trade facilitation.

Oyedele gave the commendation during his inaugural board meeting and facility tour of the Customs Headquarters in Abuja on 2 September 2026, where he praised the leadership and officers of the Service for their significant progress in modernising operations and strengthening revenue generation.

According to the Minister, the NCS has demonstrated unprecedented operational capacity in 2026, generating ₦4.03 trillion in the first half of the year, followed by ₦1.38 trillion in July and August. He expressed confidence that the Service remains on course to achieve its ambitious ₦11 trillion annual revenue target.

Oyedele attributed the impressive performance to increased automation, intelligence-led reforms, strategic investments in technology, and improved cargo-processing procedures under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.

Impressed by the Service’s modern intelligence capabilities and technological infrastructure, the Minister described the NCS’s performance as a strong foundation for positioning Nigeria as a leading force in regional and global trade.

“Results are precisely what should propel us to do more,” Oyedele said.

He challenged the Service to build on its achievements by establishing world-class standards in port efficiency, end-to-end transparency, faster cargo clearance, and revenue integrity.

The Minister stressed that Nigeria’s ambition should be demonstrated through measurable performance, urging the NCS to transform its recent successes into sustainable improvements that can serve as benchmarks for other customs administrations.

“Nigeria must lead through performance, not rhetoric,” he stated.

Oyedele also reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s support for the NCS, assuring the Service that the Federal Government would continue to provide cutting-edge technology, modern operational equipment, and the necessary policy backing to sustain its transformation.

He noted that with continued innovation and institutional support, the NCS is well positioned to strengthen its role as a premier trade facilitator in Africa while contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth and development. Africa.