Tag: Customs

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has again extended the tenure of the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

The Eagle Online recalls that President Tinubu had extended the tenure of Adeniyi, which was due to end on August 31, 2025.

In a statement late on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said Tinubu has granted a final six-month tenure extension to Adeniyi.

As Comptroller General of Customs, Adeniyi’s first tenure extension ought to have expired on August 1, 2026.

The six-month extension, which will expire in February 2027, is to enable him to consolidate the implementation of the National Single Window and ensure an orderly succession in the service.

During the transition period, Adeniyi, working with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Board, will ensure the promotion of eligible officers to the rank of Comptroller of Customs and the compulsory retirement of officers who have attained 60 years of age or have served 35 years.

Adeniyi joined the Customs Service after graduating from Obafemi Awolowo University in the late 80s.

He rose through the ranks, becoming Deputy Comptroller in 2012, Comptroller in 2017, Assistant Comptroller General in 2020, Acting Deputy Comptroller-General in January 2023, before his appointment by President Tinubu in June 2023 as the Comptroller General.

By ABDULLAHI MAIWADA

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) acknowledges recent public commentary regarding foreign exchange pricing, investor behaviour, and Customs valuation practices.

The Service recognises the value of informed public discourse in deepening understanding of Nigeria’s trade and revenue environment. In this regard, it is important to provide factual clarification on how exchange rates are received, processed, and applied within the NCS digital clearance system, B’Odogwu, a Unified Customs Management System which serves as the sole official platform for Customs declarations, clearance, and valuation.

2. For the avoidance of doubt, the Nigeria Customs Service does not independently determine, generate, alter, or apply margins to foreign exchange rates used for import and export valuation. All exchange rates applied within the B’Odogwu platform are official rates electronically transmitted by the Central Bank of Nigeria, which remains the competent authority for exchange rate determination under Nigeria’s monetary framework.

These rates are automatically integrated and uniformly applied across all Customs formations, ensuring transparency, predictability, audit integrity, and full compliance with statutory provisions and national fiscal and monetary policy directives.

3. The B’Odogwu system operates on structured data integration protocols that automatically ingest and apply exchange rate information as transmitted by the Central Bank of Nigeria. Under no circumstances does the system generate, substitute, or alter exchange rates. Where data transmission formats change, the system is designed to retain the last valid Central Bank-provided rate until the updated feed is successfully processed, thereby preserving continuity, accuracy, and valuation integrity. As part of its ongoing system governance and enhancement processes, the Nigeria Customs Service is working with the Central Bank of Nigeria to enable seamless Application Programming Interface (API)-based integration, further strengthening real-time exchange rate transmission, operational reliability, and system resilience.

4. It is worthy of note that the reported exchange rate of ₦1,451.63/US$ for 6 February 2026 did not originate from the B’Odogwu system. That figure was sourced from http://trade.gov.ng, a legacy public trade information portal that does not reflect live Customs processing data. Likewise, the National Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS) does not provide real-time Customs valuation figures and is not recognised for live Customs processing. The Nigeria Customs Service reiterates to the trading public that the sole authoritative platform for Customs declarations, clearance, and valuation is https://bodogwu.customs.gov.ng, which receives exchange rates directly transmitted by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

5. For clarity and transparency, the exchange rate applied for Customs valuation on 6 February 2026 was ₦1,365.56 per United States Dollar, as officially communicated by the Central Bank of Nigeria. All subsequent exchange rates applied by the Service have likewise reflected the official rates transmitted by the Central Bank of Nigeria and automatically implemented through the B’Odogwu platform in accordance with established national protocols.

6. The Nigeria Customs Service remains firmly committed to transparency, consistency, and the facilitation of legitimate trade, while ensuring strict compliance with national fiscal and monetary policy directives. The Service assures all stakeholders, including the trading public, licensed customs agents, and international partners, that Customs clearance and valuation processes remain accurate, predictable, and aligned with statutory provisions and international best practices. The Service will continue to strengthen its systems, enhance operational integrity, and support Nigeria’s economic growth through efficient and accountable Customs administration.

(-ABDULLAHI MAIWADA PhD, mnipr, mniia

Deputy Comptroller of Customs

National Public Relations Officer

for Comptroller-General of Customs)

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ has announced the arrest of a suspected drug trafficker in connection with the seizure of 25kg of crystal methamphetamine, fondly called Ice, along the Gbaji–Seme Road in Lagos State.

The Comptroller of the Unit, Comptroller MS Shuaibu made this announcement during a brief handover ceremony of the seized items to representative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Wednesday, 22 October 2025, at the Unit’s headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos.

Comptroller Shuaibu informed that the interception was made possible through credible intelligence.

According to him, “The interception took place at about 1700 hours on 17 October 2025, when a patrol team, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended one Uduak Monday, a suspect who was reportedly found in possession of a polythene bag tightly wrapped with sellotape.

“Upon examination, the bag was found to contain crystal methamphetamine weighing 25 kilogrammes, with an estimated street value of ₦562,500,000.

“The seizure underscored the Unit’s unwavering commitment to combating smuggling in all its forms and highlights the importance of robust inter-agency collaboration,” the Comptroller said.

Comptroller Shuaibu reaffirmed the Unit’s resolve to continue working closely with relevant agencies and Stakeholders to dismantle criminal networks operating within the Zone.

While receiving the seized items, the NDLEA Commander of Narcotics, Lagos State Strategic Command, Abubakar Liman, commended the collaborative efforts of the Service in the fight against drug trafficking.

He stressed that NCS contribution in the ongoing war against drugs is remarkable and assured that NDLEA will continue to update the Unit as the trial of the suspect progresses in court.

Liman equally commended the Unit for upholding the objectives of the memorandum of understanding signed between the two agencies.

Lagos:  , The Murtala Muhammed Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has announced a major breakthrough, intercepting illicit drugs worth N5 billion from India and Canada.

According to the command, the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized drugs stood at N3.778 billion, marking one of the largest seizures in recent times.

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Michael Awe, disclosed the seizure during a press briefing held at the command’s headquarters in Lagos on Thursday.

He explained that the interception was the result of coordinated intelligence and sustained surveillance carried out by officers of the command in partnership with other agencies.

(From third left, the Customs Area Controller, Muritala Muhammed Area Command (MMAC) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller, Michael Awe, the Assistant Director, NAFDAC, Kelechi Nwude and other officers during the handing over of illicit substances to NAFDAC and NDLEA)

Awe revealed that no suspects were apprehended in connection with the seizures, but the command had already transferred the items to relevant regulatory authorities.

He confirmed that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) will investigate further.

The seized substances included 121 packs of Canadian cannabis, with a Duty Paid Value estimated at N1.188 billion, which were smuggled under the guise of household items.

Also intercepted were 294,000 tablets of Tramadol Hydrochloride (225mg), worth N1.389 billion, a drug often abused for its dangerous stimulant and addictive properties.

Pregabalin tablets (300mg), valued at N1.188 billion, were also seized. Officials described the drug as a controlled medication often used to treat nerve pain and epilepsy.

Customs officers further uncovered Norflex tablets (50mg) worth N800 million, as well as Sardalud tablets (2mg) valued at N495 million.

On July 30, officials evacuated a consignment with airway bill 235-63882254/2 from the NAHCO import shed to the government warehouse for careful examination.

The consignment, disguised as containing duvets, was later confirmed to conceal 121 packs of Canadian cannabis sativa, highlighting the smugglers’ deceptive strategies.

Similarly, on Sept. 2, another consignment, airway bill 071-58012706/6, was evacuated from SAHCO import shed. It contained 294,000 Tramadol tablets with DPV of N1.188 billion.

On Sept. 17, two separate consignments, airway bills 071-58231670 and 071-58234433, were also seized at the NAHCO import shed before being moved to the warehouse.

Upon examination, the consignments were found to contain Pregabalin, Sardalud and Norflex tablets imported without mandatory health certification. Their estimated street value exceeded N1.2 billion.

Awe stressed that the disturbing aspect was the rebranding of the illicit drugs as 50mg Diclofenac Sodium, creating a dangerous health risk for unsuspecting buyers.

He warned that such deceptive labelling could lead to serious health complications, urging Nigerians to purchase medicines only from reputable and verified pharmaceutical outlets.

The customs boss reaffirmed the command’s commitment to frustrate drug cartels and smugglers, noting that collaboration with sister agencies remained crucial to the success of operations.

Awe emphasised that the seizure sends a clear message to traffickers that Nigeria’s airports will no longer provide a safe route for illicit trade.

He assured the public that intelligence-driven operations will continue to expose smuggling networks attempting to exploit the nation’s trade channels.

NAFDAC’s Assistant Director, Kelechi Nwude, described the seizure as mind-blowing, praising Customs’ vigilance and promising continued collaboration with security and regulatory partners.

Nwude stressed that there would be no hiding place for criminal networks involved in the importation of illicit and dangerous drugs through Nigeria’s busiest airport.

She reaffirmed NAFDAC’s resolve to intensify surveillance and tighten pharmaceutical regulations to ensure that only approved medicines reach Nigerian pharmacies and hospitals.

Nwude added that drug cartels must realise that every attempt to exploit trade loopholes would only result in further exposure and dismantling of their operations.

She warned traffickers that the combined forces of Customs, NAFDAC and NDLEA would continue to bring them to their knees.

Lagos,:   Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has stepped up collaboration with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to boost industrial growth, streamline trade processes, and position the country for greater economic competitiveness.

Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Mr Bashir Adeniyi, disclosed this on Friday in Lagos during the MAN/Customs engagement session.

He said the meeting, a “deliberate and constructive platform” would help to align fiscal responsibilities with industrial growth imperatives.

(From L-R , President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr Francis Meshioye; Comptroller-General of Customs, (CGC), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi; Director General of MAN, Mr Segun Ajayi and the Zonal Coordinator Zone’A’ Assistant Comptroller General of Customs Muhammed Babadede during a working visit to MAN headquarters in Lagos

According to him, manufacturing remains the backbone of any modern economy, and its success is directly tied to the nation’s prosperity.

“Your voices as manufacturers matter. Your experiences help us to understand how customs procedures can either enable or constrain manufacturing excellence.

“We must continue to build an ecosystem where customs is seen not as a stumbling block but as an enabler of growth,” Adeniyi said.

The Customs boss assured manufacturers that the NCS was already reviewing the Ministry of Finance’s recent directive on the suspension of the four per cent Free On Board (FOB) charge.

“We understand the concerns around the four per cent FOB charge. I assure you it is receiving attention, and whatever decision is taken will be in the best interest of trade facilitation, industrial growth, and national revenue stability,” he said.

Adeniyi explained that his administration had developed a framework for a “One-Stop-Shop” trade platform, designed to revolutionise how manufacturers interact with customs and other regulatory agencies.

“This innovation will cut through layers of bureaucracy. Instead of running from office to office, manufacturers will have a single touchpoint to process their documentation, resolve bottlenecks, and facilitate faster clearance of goods.

“This is how modern customs should operate,” he added.

He also disclosed that NCS had streamlined checkpoints on major highways to eliminate unnecessary delays that increased costs for manufacturers without boosting security or revenue.

“We have identified points where bottlenecks were created.

“Our officers are now mandated to operate with efficiency, courtesy, and accountability.

“The idea is simple: reduce costs without reducing compliance,” Adeniyi noted.

Highlighting the importance of structured dialogue, he said:
“The Nigeria Customs Service will continue to engage, listen, and reform.

“Our role is to protect borders, collect appropriate revenues, and facilitate legitimate trade. Your role as manufacturers is to produce, employ, and drive diversification.

“Together, these roles are complementary and critical to Nigeria’s future.”

Earlier, the President of MAN, Otunba Francis Meshioye, commended the Customs Service for what he called a “new spirit of partnership and openness” since Adeniyi assumed office in 2023.

Meshioye said the engagement was more than a meeting, it was the revival of a longstanding commitment to collaboration.

“What we are having today is the enactment of that historic bond.

“It is a reaffirmation that dialogue remains the best way to resolve operational issues and shape inclusive policies that work for manufacturers and the economy at large,” he said.

He emphasised that manufacturers had consistently raised concerns about high costs of doing business, inefficiencies at the ports, and challenges with customs procedures.

“We believe this collaboration will create an enabling environment where policies do not just look good on paper but work effectively in practice.

“Manufacturers want efficiency, predictability, and fairness, and we are glad that customs is listening,” Meshioye added.

The MAN president urged the NCS to institutionalise the MAN-Customs dialogue platform and ensure it delivers concrete results in areas such as digitalisation, transparency, and cost reduction.

He also appealed for a review of the four per cent FOB charge and improvements to the association’s indigenous customs modernisation platform, B’odogwu, which he said was designed to help manufacturers engage seamlessly with customs processes.

“We urge customs to take a second look at the four per cent FOB charge. It is a significant burden on manufacturers.

“We also want support for our B’odogwu platform to enable local solutions to thrive in addressing trade challenges,” Meshioye said.

Meshioye congratulated Adeniyi on his historic election as Chairman of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, the first Nigerian Customs Comptroller-General to attain the position since the body’s inception in 1952.

“It is not just a personal honour but a national achievement. Under your leadership, we have seen professionalism, innovation, and global recognition of the Nigeria Customs Service like never before.

“This is encouraging for us as manufacturers who depend heavily on efficient customs processes,” Meshioye said.

Lagos:   The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr Bashir Adeniyi, says the Service has automated the clearance process for overtime cargoes and extended the window to 120 days to facilitate trade.

(group picture of the management of Customs and stakeholders at the sensitisation programme of Automation Overtime Cargos held in Lagos on Monday)

Adeniyi disclosed this on Monday at a one-day sensitisation programme on the Automation of Overtime Cargo Clearance System for stakeholders.

According to him, the extension will also improve the ease of doing business across the nation’s ports.

(From L-R, Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘A’, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Muhammed Babadede, the CGC of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Isah Umar, and senior officer at the sensitisation programme of Automation Overtime Cargos held in Lagos on Monday)

The stakeholders include consignees, brokers, terminal operators, and customs officers in Zone ‘A’, Lagos.

He explained that the automation would help resolve delays often caused by abandoned consignments and reduce the volume of letters seeking clearance extensions, which make up nearly 50 per cent of correspondence to his office daily.

“We have created a help desk at the headquarters to prioritise clearance of project cargoes belonging to government agencies.

“Importation is critical to Nigeria’s economic development, and our goal is not just to generate revenue but to ensure goods reach their owners quickly and efficiently,” he said.

Adeniyi added that less than one per cent of cargoes arriving at Nigerian ports in 2024 were classified as overtime and expressed optimism that the new system would reduce this to zero.

He also assured stakeholders of continuous sensitisation sessions to ensure smooth adoption of the process.

The Comptroller-General urged terminal operators, shipping companies, and clearing agents to provide feedback for further improvement.

He noted that some consignments were deliberately abandoned while others faced delays due to network challenges.

“The Overtime Cargo Automation programme is fully developed and ready for deployment.

“This sensitisation is to ensure all stakeholders, terminal operators, shipping companies, and agents, understand the system and work together for success,” Adeniyi said.

In his remarks, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Isah Umar, said that the e-clearance system would simplify procedures, enhance transparency, reduce human interference, and strengthen data integrity for imports and exports.

He explained that the system would also provide automatic records of cargo disposal and harmonise documentation through the use of the Single Goods Declaration (SGD).

Chief Superintendent of Customs, Mr Aliyu Abdulkadir, highlighted that under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, overtime cargoes are subject to disposal after 120 days, while perishable and inflammable items may be disposed of immediately through e-auction or other approved means to prevent accidents.

Similarly, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Mr Ibrahim Muhammed, walked participants through the ICT processes of the new system.

He said cargoes are classified as overtime after 30 days, with clearance escalated step-by-step from the Area Controller to the zonal level, and to headquarters if unresolved within the stipulated period.

He stressed that the system provides a transparent, efficient, and accountable framework for managing overtime consignments.

Also speaking, the Zonal Coordinator of Zone ‘A’, Assistant Comptroller-General Muhammed Babadede, described NCS as the most digitalised Customs administration in West and Central Africa and commended the Comptroller-General for driving reforms through automation.

The sensitisation session featured interactive discussions, with stakeholders, including shipping companies, terminal operators, importers, exporters, and clearing agents, seeking clarifications on the new process.

Customs management assured them that continuous engagement would be sustained for effective implementation.