General
Customs Grows Revenue by 127% to N2.74trn in Six Months
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded a 127 per cent increase in revenue to N2.74 trillion in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
The service’s National Public Relations Officer, Mr Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this in a statement x-raying the organisation’s Mid-Year Performance.
“With a half-year revenue target of N2.54 trillion, the service has collected N2.74 trillion, surpassing the target by eight per cent and marking a 127 per cent increase over the previous year’s revenue.
“N1.395 trillion was collected for the second quarter, exceeding the quarterly target by 10 per cent and representing a 131 per cent increase over Q2 2023,” he said.
Mr Maiwada said that the key initiatives that contributed to the feat included its e-auction platform, which generated more than N1.34 billion, adding that the 90-day duty payment window for uncustomed vehicles contributed N4.37 billion to the revenue.
According to Mr Maiwada, these measures have significantly enhanced transparency, compliance, and efficiency in customs processes, underscoring the NCS’s commitment to excellence.
He said that during the period under review, the service intensified its anti-smuggling operations, recording 2,442 seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of more than N25 billion from January to June 2024.
The customs spokesman said that the figure was 203 per cent higher than the DPV of seizures in the first half of 2023.
“In the second quarter of 2024, the NCS made 1,334 seizures with a DPV of N 17,564,384,378, representing a 121 per cent increase over the first quarter of 2024.
“The top items seized include wildlife items, vehicles, arms and ammunition, foreign rice, pharmaceuticals, and narcotics, with 32 suspects in custody,” Mr Maiwada said.
He said the NCS processed 620,467 Single Goods Declarations (SGDs) in the first half of 2024, reflecting a reduction of approximately 39 per cent compared to the same period in 2023.
“In spite of this decline, the NCS has implemented several key initiatives to simplify and expedite customs processes.
“These include reinforcement of NCS automation procedures, capacity-building programs for officers, and public-private partnerships to enhance customs clearance efficiency.
“These efforts are crucial for enhancing Nigeria’s trade competitiveness and supporting economic growth,” Mr Maiwada said.
According to the spokesperson, the NCS faced several challenges in the first half of 2024, including significant fluctuations in the exchange rate.
Others were lower volume of transactions, low compliance levels among importers and exporters, and periodic downtime.
Mr Miawada said the challenges affected the consistency of revenue collection and overall operational efficiency.
He further explained that to address these challenges and enhance revenue collection, the NCS implemented several strategies.
They included real-time system auditing, post-clearance audits, and the verification of documents for the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report.
He added that other strategies deployed included ensuring compliance with import guidelines and implementing a pilot test for the Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) scheme.
The spokesperson said that the NCS recently implemented measures aimed at achieving its constitutional duties including the Advance Ruling System (ARS), inaugurating Operation Whirlwind, reshuffling strategic-level officers and robust stakeholders’ engagement.
General
Pastor Ogbueli’s Abuja Night of Glory Holds Today
By Blaise Udunze
Momentum is gathering for the Abuja Night of Glory taking place today, Friday, December 5, 2025, at the main bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
The crusade is being hosted by Dominion City Church headed by Pastor David Ogbueli and it starts by 7pm.
The all-night programme will feature dynamic worship leaders like Nathanial Bassey, Dunsin Oyekan, Theophilus Sunday, Chioma Jesus, Kaestrings, Sunmisola Agbebi Okeleye, Minister GUC, Ebuka Songs, Anthony Kani, and DC Angels.
Reputed as a teacher of righteousness and anointed minister of the gospel, evidenced by the miracles that have trailed his ministry, and one who champions the cause of the poor through empowerment initiatives, Dr. David Ogbueli will be joined by renowned ministers from within and outside Nigeria, including Evangelist Andres Bisonni, Dr. Charles Ndifon, Evangelist Dan Scott, Apostle Ikechukwu Nnajiofor, and several others.
Night of Glory has, in previous editions held across Nigeria’s cities, recorded remarkable results, such as immediate healings and freedom from chronic ailments, recovery of vision and movement after many years of paralysis, along with liberation from dependencies and emotional distress. Numerous participants have also shared testimonies of breakthroughs and big personal changes after the experience. Organisers state that this year’s event, in Abuja, is anticipated to exceed previous editions.
The event is intended for all individuals trusting God for divine intervention in any area of life.
Understanding the role of faith in the destiny of individuals and nations, a dedicated prayer session for Nigeria will take place during the crusade to tackle some of the current challenges being faced in the country and also to uplift he leaders and institutions before God.
Attendance is free, and registration is encouraged via the QR codes on event banners. Organisers expect a massive turnout as worshippers travel from across the country for what is anticipated to be a transformative encounter.
Adequate security and free transportation have been put in place ALL over the city of Abuja, while those outside Abuja are expected to join online.
General
Rivers Speaker, 15 Other Lawmakers Leave PDP for APC
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Martin Amaewhule, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
At the plenary on Friday, Mr Amaewhule joined the ruling party from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), along with 15 other members of the state parliament.
This development comes some months after they had earlier declared their support for the APC in the wake of a crisis with the state governor, Mr Sim Fubura.
The lawmakers had an issue with Mr Fubura, which led to a state of emergency declared on the oil-rich state by President Bola Tinubu in March 2025.
This embargo was only lift in September 2025 after the duration of the six-month emergency rule in the state.
A few days ago, members of the Rivers Assembly passed a vote of confidence on President Tinubu, backing him to remain in office till 2031, when he would have spent eight years in office if re-elected in 2027.
Announcing their defection today, the lawmakers pinned their decision on the crisis rocking the PDP at the national level.
It is not certain if their political godfather, Mr Nyesom Wike, who is the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), will join them in APC.
Mr Wike, who governed Rivers State from 2015 to 2023, has been accused of instigating the crisis in the opposition PDP. He was expelled from the party last month at a national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
General
Nigeria Risks Brain Drain in Energy Sector—PENGASSAN
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has warned that Nigeria risks massive brain drain in the oil and gas sector due to poor remuneration.
The president of PENGASSAN, Mr Festus Osifo, said at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union on Thursday in Abuja that the industry was facing challenges arising from Naira devaluation and inflation, noting that, oil and gas skills remained globally competitive.
Painting an example, he said, “A drilling engineer in Nigeria does the same job as one in the US or Abu Dhabi,” noting that the union must take steps to bridge the wage gap to prevent members from leaving the country for better opportunities abroad.
“If we don’t act, the brain drain seen in other sectors will be child’s play,” he said.
According to him, PENGASSAN has recorded significant gains through collective bargaining across oil and gas branches.
“We signed numerous agreements across government agencies, IOCs, service and marketing sectors,” he said.
He said the agreements brought relief to members facing rising costs of living, adding that, the association’s duty is to protect members’ jobs and enhance their pay.
Mr Osifo urged companies delaying salary reviews and those foot-dragging as a result of the prevailing economic realities, to do the needful.
He said the industry employed some of the nation’s best talents, making competitive pay critical to retaining skilled workers.
“This industry recruits the best. Companies must provide the best conditions,” he said.
On insecurity, Mr Osifo urged government to take decisive action against terrorism and kidnappings across the country.
“We are tired of condemnations. government must expose sponsors and protect citizens,” he said.
He urged government at all levels to prioritise tackling insecurity through better funding and equipment for security agencies.
Mr Osifo said PENGASSAN supported calls for state police to improve local security response, adding that decentralising policing will protect citizens better than rhetoric.
He also said economic indicators meant little, if food prices remained high and farmers could not return to farms due to insecurity.
“Nigerians want to see food on the table, not macroeconomic figures,” he said, urging the government to coordinate fiscal and monetary policies to ensure economic gains reach households.
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