The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has set a new revenue milestone, pulling in a record ₦7.281 trillion in 2025, a performance that not only outpaced its own expectations but also cemented the agency’s reform agenda as a key driver of non-oil revenue growth for the federal government.
Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi announced the extraordinary figures on Monday in Abuja during the 2026 World Customs Day observance, where he attributed the record haul to strategic reforms, deployment of technology and enhanced engagement with the private sector.
“We must also sustain the financial health of the state,” Adeniyi said in his address. “I am pleased to report that in 2025, the Nigeria Customs Service collected a total of ₦7.281tn, exceeding the target of ₦6.584tn with a positive variance of ₦697 billion, representing a growth of over 10 per cent against the target.”
The 2025 results significantly outstripped the approved annual revenue projection of ₦6.5 trillion, exceeding expectations by roughly 10 per cent. They also represent a year-on-year increase of about 19 per cent compared with the ₦6.1 trillion collected in 2024.
Adeniyi underscored that this outcome was not a product of heavy-handed enforcement but a testament to structural and operational enhancements introduced within the service. “When compared to 2024 collections, total revenue rose from ₦6.1tn to ₦7.28tn, an increase of approximately ₦1.18tn, or about 19 per cent year-on-year,” he stated to applause from the audience.
In outlining the approach that yielded these results, Adeniyi was careful to stress that the figures were not offered as self-praise, but as tangible evidence of the success of the Customs’ reform programme. “We present these figures not as self-congratulation, but as evidence that reform is yielding tangible outcomes,” he noted.
The Customs boss highlighted that the increased revenue was achieved without stifling legitimate trade, an issue often raised by importers and manufacturers concerned about regulatory overreach. “The gains came not from arbitrary enforcement or the burdening of legitimate traders, but from improved compliance, better data use, digital tools, and disciplined enforcement,” he explained. “More importantly, this performance was achieved while deepening collaboration with the private sector and upholding facilitation commitments.”
According to Adeniyi, the Customs Service’s success in 2025 reflects a broader balance between revenue generation and trade facilitation, particularly in the context of regional and global trade agreements where Nigeria plays an active role.
Aside from its revenue mandate, the NCS is also charged with trade facilitation, border security, and suppression of smuggling, making its 2025 performance noteworthy in both economic and security terms.
The stunning 2025 outcome builds on a strong performance in 2024, when the Customs Service posted record revenue of over ₦6.1 trillion, surpassing its target by more than 20 per cent.
Across the federation, individual commands also reported robust gains throughout the year, with major ports and area commands such as Tin Can Island and Port Harcourt posting substantial surpluses against their own targets and contributing to the national total.
