Economy
Customs Revenue Collection Jumps 21.4% to N3.2trn in 2023
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Customs Service (NC), has recorded N3.2 trillion in revenue collected in 2023, a 21.4 per cent increase over the preceding year’s revenue of N2.6 trillion despite facing significant operational hurdles.
The Customs Comptroller-General, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, made this announcement this week in Abuja at a news conference on the NCS activities in 2023.
Mr Adeniyi said that the 2023 performance was remarkable given the fact that the NCS recorded a revenue shortfall of N532 billion in the first half of 2023.
He said the year was marked by operational challenges including lower transaction volumes, compliance issues, inadequate infrastructure, and capacity gaps compounded by delays in policy implementation and socio-political factors.
He added that the anxiety associated with a major election year, and the prolonged cash crunch linked with the Naira redesign programme of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, which temporarily impacted purchasing power and economic activities, further hampered revenue performance last year.
Also, the transition of power to the President Bola Tinubu-led administration brought about a new policy direction, including the removal of fuel subsidies, the floating of the exchange rate, and the closure of the country’s Northern borders with Niger Republic, further added to the complexity of the operating environment for the service.
Mr Adeniyi said these challenges led to a revenue shortfall of N532 billion compared to the N1.84 trillion target in the first half of 2023 but following his appointment as CGC in July last year, as well as merit-based reconstitution of the customs management team, there was a significant shift that enabled the service to exceed monthly revenue targets by 6.71 per cent for the first time in 2023.
He specifically attributed the positive change to strategic measures, including the immediate establishment of a Revenue Review Recovery Team and the dissolution of existing Strike Force Teams, streamlining enforcement under the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), and extensive stakeholder engagement.
Mr Adeniyi also expressed NCS commitment to end petroleum products smuggling in 2024 adding that the service would block all attempts to smuggle weapons and other contraband into the country.
“Our zero approach towards smuggling, especially petroleum products, rice, arms, and ammunition, out of the country would be rigorously enforced. We remain resolute on addressing border management challenges, balancing security concerns with trade facilitation,” he said.
Mr Adeniyi added that the NCS had conducted a vigorous campaign against smuggling and illicit trade in 2023, which resulted in 3,806 seizures of illicit items, including artefacts, antiquities, drugs, food products, and endangered species of flora and fauna, among others.
“Remarkably, we also achieved during this period a total of 52 convictions, 11 of them specifically linked to illicit trade in animal wildlife. This is also a record performance through diligent prosecution of our cases and the successful conviction of some of those criminals who were apprehended.
“Noteworthy is the international acknowledgement garnered for the Service’s efforts in combating this illicit trade in animal/wildlife. This steadfast commitment underscores the NCS’s dedication to protecting Nigerian society, maintaining a resolute stance against smugglers, and diligently dismantling their operations,” he said.
Going forward, he highlighted that numerous strategic initiatives are poised to positively impact the Service’s performance in the coming months.
These initiatives he enumerated include the introduction of the Advanced Ruling system, aligning NCS operations with global best practices, and meeting the recommendations of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).
He said the NCS is set to inaugurate an electronic auction, e-auction, platform strategically designed to enhance transparency in the auction process.
The CGC said the service remained committed to facilitating the achievement of the newly set revenue target of N5.079 trillion which is aligned with the government’s economic objectives for 2024.
“This target signifies the government’s confidence in the NCS’s capabilities and underscores the service’s important role in contributing to the nation’s fiscal wellbeing.
“The strategic initiatives detailed above, alongside other operational reforms, are anticipated to play a crucial role in achieving this revenue goal.
“As the NCS addresses the challenges and opportunities in 2024, the service is steadfast in its commitment to implementing these strategies and exploring practical approaches to meet the heightened revenue target. This commitment aligns with the NCS’s ongoing dedication to efficiency, excellence, and positive contributions to Nigeria’s economic landscape.”
Mr Adeniyi emphasised that the NCS will maintain a zero-tolerance stance towards indiscipline and non-compliance in the year 2024, and urged all officers and stakeholders to adhere strictly to established procedures and regulations as maximum cooperation is expected from every stakeholder in the customs operations.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, has stressed that Nigeria was now consolidating its macroeconomic reforms to sustain economic stability in an increasingly volatile global environment.
The Minister spoke at a high-level panel on Fiscal Policy in a Shock – Prone World at the ongoing Al Ula conference for Emerging Market Economies in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“Nigeria’s macroeconomic and fiscal reforms are working. Momentum must be maintained, and the benefits channelled towards long-term growth and resilience,” he stated.
He said the government is also leveraging digital tools to improve revenue assurance, while deepening fiscal and monetary coordination and promoting realistic budgeting practices to ensure durable fiscal discipline.
He noted that despite accounting for a significant share of global growth, population and natural resources, emerging economies remain under-represented in global financial decision-making.
Mr Edun also highlighted the growing strategic importance of Gulf nations in the evolving global economic landscape.
He said countries in the Gulf are increasingly shaping global trade routes, investment flows and sources of capital, making them critical partners for emerging economies such as Nigeria.
The finance minister stressed Nigeria’s commitment to building stronger partnerships that promote a more inclusive and equitable global financial system.
He said Nigeria was positioning itself to engage constructively with global partners to support reforms that unlock growth, stability and shared prosperity.
Mr Edun’s call comes amid mounting global economic pressures. Many emerging economies are grappling with high debt levels, elevated inflation, volatile capital flows and tightening global financial conditions.
Rising interest rates in advanced economies have increased debt-servicing costs, while currency volatility has strained fiscal and external balances across Africa and other developing regions.
Global trade is also facing increased fragmentation due to geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions and protectionist tendencies.
These trends have disproportionately affected emerging markets that depend heavily on trade, foreign investment and access to international finance.
For Nigeria, the push for a global economic reset aligns with ongoing domestic reforms aimed at stabilising the macroeconomic environment.
The country has embarked on exchange rate reforms, fiscal consolidation and efforts to attract long-term investment to support growth and job creation.
Mr Edun has repeatedly argued that without reforms to the global financial system, domestic policy efforts in emerging economies risk being undermined by external shocks.
At the Al Ula conference, he reiterated that a more balanced global system would enhance resilience, improve access to finance and support sustainable development.
He said Nigeria would continue to engage in global policy conversations to ensure that emerging economies are not only rule-takers but active shapers of the new global economic order.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The N230 billion 10-year bond issued to investors by the Lagos State government has been listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
It was the Series 4 of the state government’s N1 trillion Debt and Hybrid Instruments Issuance Programme, which was sold at a coupon rate of 16.25 per cent.
It was offered for sale to bondholders in November 2025, with Chapel Hill Denham Advisory Limited as the leading issuing house and bookrunner.
The joint issuing houses and bookrunners were Asset & Resources Management Limited, Capital Bancorp Plc, Cardinal Stone Partners Limited, Cedrus Capital Limited, Comercio Partners Capital Limited, Cordros Advisory Services Limited, Coronation Merchant Bank Limited, Dynamic Portfolio Limited, FCMB Capital Markets Limited, FCSL Asset Management Company Limited, FirstCap Limited, G.A. Capital Limited, LeadCapital Plc, Light House Capital Limited, Phoenix Global Capital Markets Limited, Quantum Zenith Capital and Investments Limited, Radix Capital Partners Limited, SFS Financial Services Limited, Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited, United Capital Plc, and, Vetiva Advisory Services Limited.
The debt instruments are callable at par after 60 months, on any coupon payment date, subject to the issuer having obtained prior regulatory approvals and upon issuance of the requisite notice to bondholders.
Business Post reports that the bond was sold at a unit price of N1,000, with the interest to be paid to investors on every May 20 and November 20 until maturity.
According to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, proceeds from the exercise would be used for critical infrastructure in transportation, housing, the environment, healthcare, education, urban renewal, and the provision of other sustainable infrastructure that would serve the future needs of the state.
The listing of the debt instrument on the stock exchange today, Monday, February 9, 2026, allows investors to trade the bond at the secondary market.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced plans to hold its 304th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on Monday, February 23 and Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
This information was disclosed in a circular published on the apex bank’s official website on Monday. This will be the first meeting of 2026.
The gathering comes amid sustained efforts by the CBN to rein in inflation, stabilise the foreign exchange market, and strengthen macroeconomic conditions.
At its last MPC meeting in November 2025, the central bank retained the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 27 per cent, maintaining its restrictive posture in a bid to curb inflationary pressures and stabilise the foreign exchange (FX) market.
The MPC is one of the bank’s highest policy-making bodies, responsible for formulating monetary and credit policies aimed at ensuring price stability.
Through key instruments such as the MPR, Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), and Liquidity Ratio (LR), the committee guides interest rate conditions and overall monetary direction in the economy.
Comprising the CBN Governor, Deputy Governors, Board members, and appointed external members, the committee meets periodically to review critical economic indicators, including inflation, gross domestic product, and exchange rate developments, before taking policy decisions.
The apex bank outlined the timetable and venue in its official notice.
“The 304th meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is scheduled to hold as follows,” the CBN said.
“Day 1: Monday, February 23, 2026 – Time: 10.00 a.m.”
“Day 2: Tuesday, February 24, 2026 – Time: 8.00 a.m.”
According to the circular, the meeting will take place at the MPC Meeting Room on the 11th floor of the CBN Head Office in Abuja.
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