General
Customs Records N1.75trn Revenue in Q1 2025
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recorded N1.75 trillion in revenue, intercepted N7.7 billion worth of contraband, and processed N36.3 trillion worth of trade in the first quarter of 2025.
The Comptroller-General, Mr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, announced the record-breaking revenue collection, saying the N1.75 trillion revenue for the first quarter of 2025—surpassing its quarterly target by N106.5 billion and marks a 29.96 per cent increase over the same period in 2024.
According to him, the performance reflects the impact of reforms initiated under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and the leadership of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun.
“Against our quarterly benchmark of N1.645 trillion, we recorded N1.75 trillion—representing 106.47 per cent of the target. This performance speaks to the strategic measures we’ve implemented to plug revenue leakages and promote compliant trade.
“January alone saw the service rake in N647.88 billion—an 18.12 per cent rise above its monthly target and a 65.77 per cent increase compared to January 2024. February and March followed the upward trend with collections of N540.11 billion and N563.52 billion, respectively,” the customs chief stated.
Beyond revenue, the NCS made 298 seizures during the quarter with a total Duty Paid Value of N7.7 billion, a 78.41 per cent increase from Q4 2024. The seizures included 135,474 bags of rice, 65,819 litres of petroleum products, narcotics worth N730.7 million, and wildlife products valued at N5.65 billion.
“These figures show the vigilance and effectiveness of our officers across Nigeria’s borders. We’re not just chasing revenue; we’re also securing our economy and environment from illicit trade,” Mr Adeniyi stated.
He added that the service’s enhanced focus on high-risk commodities like drugs and wildlife was yielding tangible results through intensified intelligence and technology-driven operations.
“In trade facilitation, the NCS processed 327,928 import declarations representing over 4.9 billion kilograms of goods valued at N14.8 trillion—an increase in both volume and value over Q1 2024. Though export declarations dropped by 24 per cent, the volume of export cargo surged by 348 per cent to over 5 billion kilograms, indicating Nigeria’s shift towards bulk commodity exports.
“The total trade value handled in Q1 2025 stood at N36.3 trillion. That’s proof that despite global economic headwinds, Nigeria remains active and growing in international commerce,” the Customs boss said.
Highlighting modernization efforts, Adeniyi cited the expansion of the indigenous B’Odogwu platform to more commands, the launch of the Authorized Economic Operators programme for trusted traders, and the “Customs Cares” corporate social responsibility initiative, which has already benefited over 2,000 students and 1,000 residents with educational and medical support.
“Results speak louder than plans. Faster clearances through B’Odogwu, trusted traders through AEO, and measurable food price relief from our exemptions—we’re scaling what works.”
Mr Adeniyi noted that the service supported national food security by waiving duties on essential food imports like maize, rice, and sorghum. These exemptions, he said, have contributed to a 12–18 per cent drop in food prices nationwide.
However, he acknowledged persistent challenges including exchange rate volatility—recording 62 rate changes in the quarter—and evolving smuggling tactics.
“From a minimum of N1,477 to a high of N1,569 per USD, the unstable exchange rates affected customs valuations and trade predictability. We’re working closely with the Central Bank and the Finance Ministry to stabilize this,” he said.
On outlook, Mr Adeniyi pledged to deepen modernization and improve service delivery through expanded tech deployment and stakeholder engagement.
“We’re building a smarter, faster, and more transparent Customs Service—one that works for the Nigerian people, protects our economy, and enhances national development,” he concluded.
The Comptroller-General also extended gratitude to Customs personnel, federal authorities, and trade partners, calling for continued cooperation to advance Nigeria’s economic and security interests.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Ebonyi State Police Command has insisted on conducting a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death of Miss Mary Habila, a physiotherapist who died at the residence of the Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The demise of the deceased, which occurred in late June, recently became public and has sparked calls for a probe from many quarters.
Meanwhile, the family of the deceased has approached the court to stop the autopsy, but experts tell Business Post that the family has no authority to file an affidavit, as this is a case of suspected murder against the state and not the family.
Mr Umahi has also called for a probe.
The Ebonyi Police Command said the autopsy was necessary to establish the cause of death and support its ongoing investigation, despite objections from the deceased’s family.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, stating that the police had commenced a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Habila’s death.
Mr Ukandu said preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased and a colleague were members of the medical team attached to the Minister of Works and had accompanied him to his hometown in Uburu, where she later died in a room within the compound of his residence.
According to him, detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) have visited the scene, documented relevant evidence and obtained statements from persons connected to the incident.
He added that the command had concluded arrangements to engage a qualified pathologist to carry out a post-mortem examination, which it considers crucial to determining the actual cause of death.
Mr Ukandu explained that the police became involved in the matter after receiving a distress call on June 27, 2026, from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ohaozara Division, informing the command of a medical emergency involving Habila and requesting his presence at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu.
“On arrival, the DPO was informed by hospital authorities that Miss Mary Habila had been brought in dead.
He immediately briefed the Commissioner of Police, who directed that the matter be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for thorough investigation,” the statement read.
The police spokesperson disclosed that while the family of the deceased had opposed the conduct of an autopsy, the command considered the procedure necessary in view of the circumstances surrounding the death.
“The Command therefore awaits the attendance of the family or their duly appointed representative, as their presence is essential to the conduct of the post-mortem examination,” Mr Ukandu said, assuring the public that the investigation would be conducted professionally, transparently and without bias, stressing that every necessary step would be taken to uncover the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death.
Mr Ukandu further assured that the command would continue to provide updates as the investigation progresses.
Family Seeks to Stop Autopsy
The family of the deceased, who is a staff member of the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences and was seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works, formally requested the withdrawal of further investigation into her death and declined an autopsy.
In an affidavit titled Affidavit of Withdrawal of Case filed before the High Court of Justice of Ebonyi State, her father, Tanko Habila Wisdom, said the family was not alleging any foul play in her death and wished to proceed with her burial.
According to the affidavit, Mary Habila died on June 27, 2026, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The deponent stated that before her death, Habila was a staff member of the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences and had been seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works in Mabushi, Abuja, where she served in the Office of the Minister of Works for about three years.
By Adedapo Adesanya
A Federal High Court in Apo, Abuja, has ordered the final forfeiture of billions of Naira worth of assets linked to businesswoman and socialite, Ms Aisha Achimugu, to the federal government.
Justice Jude Onwugbuzie granted the order following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), directing the permanent forfeiture of jewellery valued at N4.645 billion, 11 exotic vehicles worth N4.293 billion, $50,000 and N30 million in cash.
The ruling followed the EFCC’s request for the final forfeiture of the assets, which the commission said were linked to Ms Achimugu.
The forfeited assets include: Jewellery valued at N4,645,170,294.90; 11 exotic vehicles worth N4,293,000,000; $50,000 in cash; and N30,000,000 in cash.
The court’s judgment vests ownership of the assets in the federal government, bringing the forfeiture proceedings to a close.
In March, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja affirmed the final forfeiture of $13 million linked to the Lagos socialite. However, in an interview in April, she denied that $13 million was discovered by the EFCC in her residence, describing the claim as inaccurate and misleading.
Justice Nwite had, on August 22, 2025, granted the anti-graft agency’s motion ex parte for an interim order forfeiting the sum of $13 million linked to Oceangate Ltd to the federal government over allegations that the fund was proceeds of unlawful activity.
The judge had then directed the commission to publish the order in a national daily for interested people to show cause within 14 days why the fund should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government.
In 2024, the businesswoman gained significant media attention for a seven-day birthday celebration in Grenada, which was attended by high-profile guests, reportedly including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The socialite also defended her widely publicised birthday celebration, noting that it had been “planned for 10 years” and was not funded with any money under investigation.
By Adedapo Adesanya
To boost fertiliser production, strengthen food security and advance Nigeria’s domestic gas utilisation agenda, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited has signed a 16-year Gas Sale Agreement (GSA) with Indorama Fertiliser FZE for the supply of up to 60 million standard cubic feet of natural gas per day from the Assa North Ohaji South (ANOH) Gas Processing Facility.
The agreement was signed by the chief executive of Renaissance, Mr Tony Attah, and Indorama’s counterpart, Mr Manish Mundra, with both executives describing the deal as a significant milestone in advancing Nigeria’s domestic gas utilisation agenda, industrial development, and agricultural growth aspirations.
“This agreement reflects our commitment to unlocking the value of Nigeria’s abundant gas resources through partnerships that create real and lasting impact,” Mr Attah said, adding: “By supplying natural gas to a major fertiliser producer such as Indorama, we are supporting a value chain that is critical to food security, agricultural productivity, industrial growth, and economic development.”
The agreement will provide Indorama Fertiliser with a secure and reliable source of natural gas to support uninterrupted production and enable the company to meet growing domestic and regional demand for fertiliser products.
The resulting increase in fertiliser availability is expected to contribute to improved crop yields, enhanced agricultural productivity, and strengthened food security across Nigeria and Africa.
Commenting on the agreement, Mr Mundra said the deal was an important milestone for the company in its ambition of supporting Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda.
“Reliable access to natural gas is fundamental to fertiliser production, and this long-term arrangement provides a strong foundation for sustainable operations and future growth,” Mr Mundra said. “We appreciate the partnership with Renaissance and look forward to leveraging this collaboration.”
The transaction aligns closely with Nigeria’s Decade of Gas initiative and further demonstrates the strategic role of natural gas in driving industrialisation, supporting manufacturing, enhancing energy security, and enabling economic diversification.
