Nigeria Customs Service Generates ₦3.68 Trillion Revenue in First Half of 2025

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that it generated a total of ₦3.68 trillion in revenue during the first half of 2025, surpassing its projected target for the period by 11.85 percent. The revenue figure, which covers collections between January and June, represents an additional ₦390.2 billion above the initial target of ₦3.29 trillion set for the period. The performance was confirmed after a review session presided over by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, who commended the Customs Service for demonstrating consistency in its revenue drive. The NCS attributed the remarkable revenue performance to a combination of factors, including the automation of Customs operations, enhanced enforcement measures against under-declaration and smuggling, as well as trade facilitation initiatives aimed at improving clearance processes at ports and border posts. Officials explained that digitisation and tighter compliance monitoring had significantly reduced leakages, thereby strengthening collections across various commands nationwide. This development comes at a crucial time for the federal government, which has been seeking to boost non-oil revenues to reduce fiscal pressures and meet budgetary obligations. Customs collections are a vital component of the Federation Account, shared by the federal, state, and local governments, and the excess revenue recorded is expected to provide additional support for public expenditure in the months ahead. Analysts have noted that the improved performance could help reduce Nigeria’s dependence on borrowing to finance its fiscal commitments while also signaling that ongoing revenue reforms are beginning to yield tangible results. The Customs Service expressed optimism that the momentum will be sustained into the second half of the year, with further emphasis on digital transformation and collaboration with stakeholders in the maritime and border trade sectors. The Finance Minister, while praising the agency’s achievement, urged its leadership to maintain consistency in revenue generation while balancing the need for efficient trade facilitation that supports businesses. With ₦3.68 trillion already collected in just six months, the Nigeria Customs Service has set a strong pace for the rest of the year, reinforcing its role as a critical pillar in the country’s economic and fiscal management strategy for 2025.