Economy
Customs Exceeds 2020 Revenue Target by 8.7%
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) beat its revenue generation target for the year 2020 by 8.7 per cent, raking N1.5 trillion in the COVID-19 ravaged year.
This information was revealed by the revenue generating agency by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Joseph Attah, via a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to the service, despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it was able to exceeded its target of N1.4 trillion.
It was deduced that the revenue generated in 12 months was 11.9 per cent more than the sum of N1.3 trillion generated in the previous year.
Quoting the Comptroller-General of the Customs, Mr Hameed Ali, the service noted that the feat was a result of the resolute pursuit of what was right and willingness to adapt to changes brought about by global health challenges occasioned by COVID-19.
Mr Ali said the service revenue generation profile had continued to be on the rise annually as the ongoing reforms in the service insisted on strategic deployment of officers strictly using the standard operating procedure
“We also insist on strict enforcement of extant guidelines by the tariff and trade department and Automation of the Customs process, thereby eliminating vices associated with the manual process.
“Others are robust stakeholder sensitisation resulting in more informed and voluntary compliance as well as the increased disposition of officers and men to put national interest above selves.
“The partial border closure which has forced cargoes that could have been smuggled through the porous borders to come through the sea and airports raised revenue collection from ports.
“Before the commencement of the border drill on 20th August 2019, revenue generation was between N4 billion to N5 billion, but now NCS generates between N5 billion to N9 billion daily.
“Diplomatic engagements that took place during the partial land border closure yielded many positive results, including a commitment to comply with the ECOWAS Protocol on Transit and operationalisation of joint border patrols at both sides of the border.
“The teams are required to share intelligence and ensure prevention of transit of prohibited goods into the neighbour’s territory,” Mr Ali explained.
The customs boss expressed the readiness of the service to strictly implement the outcome of the diplomatic engagements as the land borders open for movement of cargoes.
He said that the intelligence gathered during the period and the introduction of the e-Customs, whose components include installation of scanners at all entry points, would enhance border security and boost national trade facilitation.
By Adedapo Adesanya
After recent gains, the Naira recorded its first loss against the US Dollar in 2026 on Thursday, January 8, in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM).
Yesterday, at the official market, the Nigerian currency tumbled against the greenback by N1.46 or 0.11 per cent to sell for N1,419.72/$1, in contrast to Tuesday’s closing price of N1,418.26/$1.
However, the local currency further appreciated against the Pound Sterling in the same market segment by N5.28 to close at N1,908.38/£1 versus the preceding session’s N1,913.66/£1, but lost 14 Kobo against the Euro to finish at N1,657.66/€1 compared with the midweek session’s closing price of N1,657.52/€1.
In the same vein, the Naira weakened against its American counterpart in the parallel market by N15 during the session to quote at N1,485/$1 compared with the previous day’s N1,470/$1 and declined by N3 at the GTBank forex desk to trade at N1,428/$1 versus the previous value of N1,425/$1.
The domestic currency has remained relatively stable in the spot market in tandem with projections by analysts, including PwC, which expects the Naira to remain broadly stable through 2026, underpinned by ongoing reforms by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and improved portfolio inflows
However, policymakers have been told to wary of weak oil prices or production disruptions reducing FX inflows, deepening FX liquidity crisis, and forced currency devaluation, which could return prices to weaker levels.
According to CardinalStone, pre-election worries, an unanticipated slump in exports, especially non-oil, and the ongoing global trend of tightening border controls may reduce Nigerian exports, and have a ripple effect on the Naira’s strength.
As for the cryptocurrency market, it was bullish as traders await the US Supreme Court ruling on President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
The market is pricing in to see if the US Supreme Court explicitly upholds Trump’s use of emergency powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs. Depending on the outcome, this could potentially push long-term US yields higher and tighten global liquidity, a mix that has historically pressured crypto, which is sensitive to quick changes in both.
Solana (SOL) appreciated by 4.2 per cent to $140.49, Binance Coin (BNB) gained 1.8 per cent to sell for $895.46, Cardano (ADA) increased by 1.8 per cent to $0.3989, and Ripple (XRP) soared by 1.6 per cent to $2.14.
Further, Bitcoin (BTC) and Litecoin (LTC) appreciated by 1.3 per cent each to $91,017.24 and $81.73 apiece, Ethereum (ETH) grew by 0.4 per cent to $3,119.22, and Dogecoin (DOGE) expanded by 0.2 per cent to $0.1429, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) finished flat at $1.00 each.
By Dipo Olowookere
It was another trading session for the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited in the green territory as it further improved by 0.13 per cent at the close of business.
The bourse managed to stay up despite profit-taking in the financial services and the energy sectors yesterday.
According to data, the insurance counter depreciated by 3.07 per cent, the banking industry went down by 0.40 per cent, and the energy space shrank by 0.11 per cent.
However, the commodity index increased by 0.65 per cent, the consumer goods landscape went up by 0.55 per cent, and the industrial goods sector closed higher by 0.11 per cent.
Consequently, the All-Share Index (ASI) soared by 214.80 points to 160,806.56 points from 160,591.76 points and the market capitalisation advanced by N137 billion to N102.822 trillion from N102.685 trillion.
Investor sentiment was weak on Thursday as Customs Street ended with 32 price gainers and 41 price losers, indicating a negative market breadth index.
Neimeth chalked up 10.00 per cent to trade at N7.70, May and Baker increased by 9.85 per cent to N26.20, eTranzact gained 9.64 per cent to finish at N13.65, Multiverse jumped by 9.51 per cent to N21.30, and Mecure Industries grew by 9.42 per cent to N74.95.
On the flip side, International Energy Insurance decreased by 9.90 per cent to N2.73, ABC Transport tumbled by 9.88 per cent to N4.47, Austin Laz crashed by 9.84 per cent to N4.58, Conoil stumbled by 9.72 per cent to N169.00, and Veritas Kapital dropped 9.69 per cent to N1.77.
The busiest stock was Chams with 60.5 million units worth N236.8 million, Linkage Assurance traded 54.1 million units valued at N97.6 million, Tantalizers transacted 45.0 million units for N129.7 million, Access Holdings sold 35.5 million units worth N815.4 million, and Champion Breweries exchanged 31.2 million units valued at N519.1 million.
When the closing gong was struck, market participants traded 645.1 million units for N16.5 billion in 44,410 deals compared with the 1.4 billion units valued at N20.7 billion transacted in 49,286 deals a day earlier, showing a fall in the trading volume, value, and number of deals by 53.92 per cent, 20.29 per cent, and 9.89 per cent apiece.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Crude oil went up by over 3 per cent on Thursday as investors assessed developments in Venezuela and worried about supplies from Russia, Iraq and Iran.
Brent futures rose by $2.03 or 3.4 per cent to $61.99 per barrel, and the United States West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures gained $1.77 or 3.2 per cent to trade at $57.76 per barrel.
The market is bracing for outcome of visits to Venezuela next week that will include representatives of the US and European oil companies, following the announcement of a $2 billion oil deal and the supply of goods to the South American country by the United States.
America seized two Venezuela-linked oil tankers in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday, with one sailing under Russia’s flag, as part of President Donald Trump’s aggressive push to dictate oil flows in the Americas.
After capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a military raid a few days ago, the US has been escalating its blockade of vessels that are under sanctions and traveling to and from the South American country, a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Meanwhile, the risk of a major supply shock related to Iran, another OPEC member, is climbing as protests swept the country, leading to a nationwide internet blackout.
President Trump’s earlier threat to come to the rescue of any peaceful protesters killed by the Iranian regime adds to concerns in oil markets that these protests could result in direct action by the US in Iran.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian warned domestic suppliers against hoarding or overpricing goods, as the country rolled out high-stakes subsidy reforms during nationwide protests against economic hardship.
Developments in Iraq, a member of OPEC, added to the broader geopolitical support for crude, as the cabinet approved plans to nationalize operations at the giant West Qurna 2 oilfield to avert potential disruptions linked to U.S. sanctions on Russian stakeholder Lukoil.
Iraq and Iran are among the biggest oil producers in OPEC behind Saudi Arabia.
A Russia-bound oil tanker was attacked by a drone in the Black Sea, prompting a request for Turkish Coast Guard assistance and a course diversion. While no party has claimed responsibility for the attack, it does highlight further instability in the region and a broader threat to oil flows.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday the text of a bilateral security guarantee between Ukraine and the US was ready to be finalised with Mr Trump.
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