Finance Ministers lauds Custom, charges to set global benchmark in trade facilitation

Mariam Abeeb

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has earned commendation from the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, for its groundbreaking revenue performance, strategic technology investments, and ongoing trade facilitation reforms.

Speaking during his inaugural board meeting and facility tour at Customs Headquarters in Abuja , the Minister praised the Service’s leadership and officers for their remarkable progress in modernising operations and boosting national revenue.

According to him, Customs has demonstrated unprecedented operational strength in 2026, generating N4.03 trillion in the first half of the year alone, followed by N1.38 trillion across July and August.

The agency, he says, remains firmly on track to achieve its ambitious N11 trillion annual target, a milestone driven by aggressive automation, intelligence-led reforms, and improved cargo processing strategies under Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi.

Impressed by the Service’s modern intelligence tools and technological infrastructure, Oyedele said Customs’ track record is the ideal springboard to propel Nigeria into a leading position in regional and global trade.

“Results are precisely what should propel us to do more,” the Minister stated, noting that Customs’ strong foundation equips the Service to pioneer world-class standards in port efficiency, end-to-end transparency, faster cargo clearance timelines, and revenue integrity. “Nigeria must lead through performance, not rhetoric.”

Reaffirming President Bola Tinubu’s full backing, Oyedele assured that the Federal Government remains committed to empowering the NCS with cutting-edge technology, modern operational tools, and strong policy support to sustain its trajectory as a premier trade facilitator in Africa.