As NGN1,347,675,608,972.75 Revenue is made for January-March 2024

By Kelvin Kagbare (Lagos), Christpher Eyo (abuja) and Michael Owolabi (Port-Harcourt)

“In the first quarter of 2024, the NCS demonstrated remarkable performance in revenue collection. Total revenue collected during this period amounted to NGN 1,347,675,608,972.75. The collection for the first quarter represents a substantial increase of 122.35% compared to the same period last year, where NGN 606,119,935,146.67. Month-by-month analysis further illustrates the Service’s impressive growth trajectory. In January 2024, revenue collection surged by 95.60%, reaching NGN 390,824,148,326.55 from NGN 199,809,974,327.52 recorded in January 2023. This upward trend continued in February 2024, with a staggering 138.68% growth, elevating revenue collection to NGN 450,209,267,557.15 from NGN 188,625,011,386.87 in February 2023. By March 2024, the revenue collected by NCS revenue grew by 132.76% from NGN 217,669,949,432.28 to NGN 506,642,193,019.05”-CGC

In a nine page document, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, in over two hours of engagement with the media in Abuja on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, the CGC gave a very comprehensive scorecard of what the NCS accomplished in the first quarter of the year 2024.

Very detailed and insightful, here are our takeaways from the CGC’s briefing:

1. The CGC is a nationalist and a man of empathy who values and respects the sanctity of life.
2. He Holds the Media in high esteem. This is understandably so, following his vast experiences, contacts and numerous dealings/interactions with the media for decades.
3. The CGC is a man of letters, figures, data and statistics. Only such a man could have collated such huge figures as shown in the revenue receipts of the Service in such a short time. He definitely has a hands on on daily operations of the Service nationwide. The Q1 report would not be ready as at when made public if the CGC were a political appointee. The CGC is the 1^st among CEOs to give his Q1 report as we are sure to be reading such reports in the next three months if not more!
4. Growth in Exports: A total of 10,786 SGDs were processed in 2024 compared to 9,752 transactions in 2023, representing a 10.60% growth in export activities.

5. Acknowledgement and salute to hard work: “It is important to acknowledge the dedication and efforts of the officers and men of NCS who have worked tirelessly and around the clock to ensure consistent and upward momentum”

6. The CGC appreciates support by the Federal Government as well as compliance and adherence to rules and regulations by Private and Public Sector Operators in the discharge of its statutory responsibilities
7. Exchange Rate fluctuations a big concern; according to the CGC “The repercussions of fluctuating rates have sent concerning signals to our stakeholders, affecting and disrupting activities. Beyond the speculation regarding potential gains it may have on NCS revenue, the implications on transaction volumes are significant and outweigh any possible benefits”
8. Open to Criticisms: “Fact-based criticisms channeled through appropriate means are always welcomed by the Service, as they keep us vigilant in fulfilling our commitment to the crucial responsibilities entrusted to us” the CGC declares.
9. Frowns on Attack on Customs Officers: “Section 239 imposes penalties for armed or bodily assault of an officer, including threats or any form of aggression. Conviction for this offense can result in imprisonment for up to 10 years. I urge members of the public to conduct their business with officers in a cordial and mutually respectful manner. Officers have also been cautioned to uphold professionalism and restraint in their interactions”
10. Innovations/IT Deployment: Either the CGC is an IT guru or he has firm grasp and understanding of IT tools. Among several technological tools he is considering, the CGC said “One notable initiative is the integration of geospatial technology alongside the utilization of satellite imagery and artificial intelligence tools and techniques”.
11.  “The TRS aims to identify bottlenecks in the clearance process, to enable the implementation of measures to promote transparency and commitment among key stakeholders and enhance trade facilitation”.
12. AEO: Participants in the AEO program stand to benefit from expedited customs clearance processes, reduced inspections, priority treatment, and enhanced predictability in customs procedures, ultimately enhancing their credibility and competitiveness in the global market.
13. Advanced Ruling: “Essentially, an Advanced Ruling provides a binding decision from customs authorities on specific aspects of a proposed import transaction, offering traders predictability and consistency in customs procedures”.
14. Customs Analytical Laboratory: “The Customs Analytical Laboratory is a specialized facility equipped with advanced analytical instruments and techniques for the scientific analysis of goods and materials”
15. Eradicating Rent Seekers/Non state Actors: “We have initiated measures to provide accessible application gateways for the public to verify relevant customs documents, such as duty payments on vehicles, at their convenience. This initiative aims to eradicate fraudulent activities and prevent exploitation by intermediaries or rent seekers in this area”
16. Moving forward: “As we move forward, I call upon all Nigerians to continue offering their support and cooperation as we strive to fulfil our mandate of facilitating trade, ensuring security, and upholding the rule of law. We have the capacity to surmount obstacles and realize our shared objectives for a brighter future”.

From all indications, this report was ready as at March 31st 2024. It is very likely that official engagements made it impossible for the CGC to make the presentation then. It says a lot about the Service and the quality of its management, officers and men.

The NCS has formations/Commands spread across Nigeria. Agencies with far less outstations have not put together their Q1 2024 report. The CGC has demonstrated capacity and uncommon leadership, we at Maritime Nigeria doff our hat!

Surging ahead, we expect more from the Service as he sets the bar of excellence, professionalism, discipline and patriotism. “The myriad of deliberate factors that have contributed to the successes around NCS key performance indicators must be sustained by acknowledging and rewarding the dedication and efforts of the officers and men of the NCS who work tirelessly  around the clock to ensure consistent and upward momentum of the Service”.