Adeniyi: Customs collected N4.4trn revenue between June 2023 and May 2024

Adewale Adeniyi, comptroller-general of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), says the service collected N4.49 trillion in revenue between June 2023 and May 2024.

Adeniyi spoke on Wednesday when he addressed a press conference to mark one year in office.

The comptroller-general said the aforementioned figure represented a 74 percent growth in revenue compared to the last fiscal year.

“The NCS reported a remarkable 74 percent growth in revenue collection over the past year, recording a total revenue collection of N4.49 trillion between June 2023 and May 2024, compared to the N2.58 trillion collected during the corresponding period of the previous year,” he said.

“This achievement was underpinned by a sustained increase of 70.13 percent in average monthly revenue collection compared to the previous year. 

“NCS recorded an average monthly revenue collection of N343 billion, compared to the N202 billion monthly average.

“Notably, there was a substantial 122.35 percent rise in revenue collection during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year.”

Adeniyi said on June 13, 2024, the service collected a daily all-time-high of N58.5 billion in revenue collection.

Speaking further, the NCS boss said the service recorded 63 seizures related to animal and wildlife products valued at N566 million.

“Additionally, seven seizures of arms and ammunition were made through our ports and borders,” he said.

“In terms of illicit drugs, a combined total of 127 cases involving narcotics and pharmaceutical products were seized, valued at over N6 billion.

“The Service also recorded 724 seizures of 2.93 million litres of PMS (premium motor spirit) that were attempted to be smuggled out of the country.”

Adeniyi said the illegal dealings in petroleum evacuation have garnered the interest of relevant stakeholders, and the ongoing ‘Operation Whirlwind’ will continue to intercept and disrupt the activities of smugglers.

In terms of food security, the comptroller-general said the service suppressed the smuggling of food in and out of the country, thereby recording  1,744 cases of rice and grain seizures valued at N4.4 billion. 

On December 11, Adeniyi said the agency is targeting N5.79 trillion as revenue in 2024, however, the house of representatives asked that it be increased to N6 trillion.