Doggedness in protecting the nation’s seaport : Apapa Customs Command seizes N1.1bn worth of illicit drugs 
Intra-African trade : CGC Adeniyi meets AfCFTA Secretary General at Biashara Afrika 2024 
Climate Change Mitigation : Customs proficiency on the line of duty 
Post Clearance Audit : WCO, World Bank, IMF collaborate with Nigeria Customs to Boost Trade Facilitation 
High expectations as Ikechukwu Onyemekara emerges General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications department of NPA CGC Adeniyi, the face of courage : Presents 2024 budget, reveals plans to recruit 1,600 officers
CGC Adeniyi, the face of courage :
Presents 2024 budget, reveals plans to recruit 1,600 officers
…pledges to surpass N5trn revenue target
On February 5, 2024, the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, presented the Service’s 2024 budget of N706.43billion before the Senate Committee on Customs, at the National Assembly.
The CGC, when defending the budget, displayed outstanding courage, stated emphatically that the Service under his watch will surpass the revenue target of over N5trillion.
The Customs Boss showed such bravery and unwavering courage despite the challenges facing the nation’s economy at present. His optimism implies that he believes strongly in Nigerian nation and the ability of its economy to bounce back with greater growth.
Going further, CGC Adeniyi focused attention on consolidating carried-over projects, increasing staff welfare by improving and motivating officers’ performance, as well as integrating technologies into Customs processes.
Regarding Officers’ welfare, CGC Adeniyi said that Officers will be encouraged in various ways to increase efficiency and improve their well-being.
He stated that this will be done through awards, promotions and payment of allowances.
Additionally, the Comptroller General of Customs pledges to surpass the revenue target of N5.079 trillion in 2024.
According to him, the revenue target for 2024 is 27.75 percent higher than the target of 2023.
Furthermore, he outlined strategies to achieve the 2024 target, including implementing the National Single Window championed by the Federal Ministry of Finance.
The Customs Boss harps on strategies to harmonise and standardise Customs processes, port decongestion, collaboration with other agencies for efficiency and competitiveness, anti-smuggling operations, integrating ICT into operations, investing in capacity building, and stakeholders engagement, among others.
The CGC also emphasised supporting local production and taking food security seriously.
He stated; “We intend to grant waivers to vehicle owners to pay duties within a specific time to avoid sanctions and to regularise importation of vehicles through payment of duties.”
He added, “The Service plans to recruit 1,600 personnel in 2024. The low figure is due to the small vacancies we have available. These vacancies are primarily for junior staff who will carry out Customs operations and guard duties. In subsequent years, more recruitment exercises will be carried out.”
CG Bashir, however, noted that the Service had a shortfall of 12.62 percent in its 2023 revenue target, citing concessions in section 99 of the Common External Tariff (CET), import duty exemption certificates, cash crunch, general elections and other factors affecting revenue generation negatively. He assured of a positive outcome in 2024.
Senator Isa Jibrin, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs, applauded the CG for the progress and success achieved in his brief tenure in Office, urging him to perform better as the house will support him in terms of remuneration and infrastructure to meet 2024 target.
