General
Customs Targets N6.58trn for 2025 After Generating N6.11trn in 2024
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has set a revenue target of N6.58 trillion for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for 2025, according to the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Mr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, after the agency collected an unprecedented N6.11 trillion in 2024.
The amount generated last year according to the customs chief, surpassed its N5.08 trillion revenue target for the year by N1.03 trillion or 20.2 per cent.
Mr Adeniyi said the remarkable achievement represented 90.4 percent increase compared to N3.21 trillion collected in 2023, describing the revenue growth as historic as it marked the highest year-on-year increase recorded by the service in recent times, surpassing the 52.24 per cent growth recorded in 2022 by 38.18 per cent.
Mr Adeniyi also pointed out that the service achieved another milestone in October 2024 when it recorded N603.17 billion as the highest monthly collection in the history of the NCS, noting that the new revenue target reflected the government’s confidence in customs’ capabilities and the expanding scope of its operations.
Further providing a breakdown of the revenue collection for last year, Mr Adeniyi stated that N3.66 trillion was collected into the Federation Account, consisting of import duty, excise duty, fees, e-auction proceeds, and Common External Tariff (CET) levy.
He pointed out that the collections were achieved despite significant concessions granted to support various sectors of the economy, totaling N1.68 trillion, saying these concessions comprised N723 billion in import duty waivers, N372.65 billion in other levy concessions, and N586.65 billion in import VAT relief.
Mr Adeniyi noted that the strategic concessions were granted to stimulate economic growth, support industrial development, and enhance the overall business environment in line with government policy objectives.
He said the 2024 concession value represented a significant reduction from the N3.95 trillion recorded in 2023, adding that the reduction was a direct result of the service’s enhanced monitoring mechanisms and strategic reforms.
According to the CGC, this was aimed at blocking loopholes and eliminating abuses in the concession granting process, ensuring that only genuine and qualifying enterprises benefitted from these incentives, adding that the service made several commitments towards modernising its operations and enhancing service delivery.
He said despite its impressive revenue performance, the service remained conscious of the need to strike a balance between revenue collection and trade facilitation, adding that this balance was evident in its commitments at the beginning of the year and served as a milestone for gauging performance throughout 2024.
The CGC pointed out that trade data for 2024 reflected significant growth in trade value despite global economic headwinds, stressing that the service processed imports with a Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) value of N60.29 trillion in 2024, representing a remarkable 117.4 per cent increase from N27.74 trillion in 2023.
He said this was achieved through 1,262,988 import transactions, handling a total mass of 15.35 billion kilograms –noting that the higher value recorded despite an 8.2 per cent decrease in transaction volume from the previous year’s 1,376,514 transactions indicated a shift towards higher-value goods in our import trade portfolio.
He said export trade performance was equally impressive, with the total CIF value rising significantly to N136.65 trillion in 2024 from N42.77 trillion in 2023, marking a 219.5 per cent increase.
He said while the number of export transactions remained relatively stable at 38,199 compared to 38,294 in 2023, the country witnessed a substantial increase in export volume, processing 12.35 billion kilograms in 2024 compared to 3.70 billion kilograms in 2023, noting that the 234 per cent increase in export mass, coupled with the higher value, indicated a robust growth in our export trade and suggested increasing competitiveness of Nigerian products in the international market.
According to him, the total trade value handled by the service in the review year amounted to N196.94 trillion, compared to N70.50 trillion in 2023, representing a 179.3 percent increase.
On its anti-smuggling operations, Adeniyi stated that the NCS adapted its strategies to the evolving security challenges resulting in 3,555 seizures in 2024 with a dramatic 100.92 per cent increase in the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of seizures from N17.56 billion in 2023 to N35.29 billion in 2024.
He said the seizures, with CIF value of N28.46 billion and a total duty of N6.83 billion highlighted the scale of attempted economic sabotage prevented by the service, adding that the recorded seizures included traditional and emerging risks to Nigeria’s economic and overall national security.
The customs chief stated that there were seizures of arms and ammunition, including 900 arms and 113,472 rounds of ammunition, and the interception of narcotics and other illicit drugs, resulting in 105 seizures across various forms that were aided by the declaration of a state of emergency at our major entry points.
Mr Adeniyi said the service also intercepted unauthorised pharmaceutical products, with 40 seizures including 175,676 pieces and 6,271 cartons of various medicaments valued at N3.04 billion, protecting public health from potentially dangerous counterfeit drugs.
According to him, the service’s enforcement activities also revealed evolving patterns in environmental and wildlife crimes, with 76 seizures of animal/wildlife products valued at N5.93 billion.
“We also maintained vigilance over trade-sensitive goods, as evidenced by the seizure of 183,527 bags of rice. Additionally, significant seizures were made of other restricted items including 3,785 bales of textiles valued at N945.9 million, and various quantities of footwear, beverages, and other consumer goods, protecting local industries and supporting the government’s economic diversification agenda.
“The service also recorded 397 seizures of vehicles valued at N5.64 billion, as we continue to enforce import regulations and protect government revenue.
“The mounting sophistication of smuggling networks also necessitated a corresponding elevation in our enforcement capabilities, leading to enhanced collaboration with national and international partners and the deployment of advanced detection approaches.
“Worthy of note is the launch of operation Whirlwind with the support of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) under the Nigeria Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited
“This operation resulted in the seizure of significant quantities of petroleum products totaling 1,716,656 litres from saboteurs diverting petroleum products intended for home use to neighbouring countries.
“Most significantly, our enforcement activities have yielded 55 arrests of suspects currently under investigation as we continue to dismantle the criminal networks behind these activities.
Mr Adeniyi stressed that to strengthen customs’ enforcement capabilities further, the service is actively expanding its technological infrastructure by integrating geo-spatial technology and other cutting-edge solutions.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Over 50 skilled technicians drawn from various states across the South-West region of Nigeria converged on Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday for a comprehensive technical and sensitisation training programme for set-top box installers and associated reception equipment technicians.
This training was organised by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in partnership with the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) to guarantee a smooth, efficient, and error-free rollout of Nigeria’s digital broadcasting migration.
Nigeria’s journey toward digital terrestrial television has spanned nearly two decades. The country formally adopted the digital switchover policy in 2008 in line with the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) 2006 global mandate, which set a June 2015 deadline for member states.
Successive missed targets in 2017 and beyond stemmed from funding constraints, policy inconsistencies, infrastructure gaps, and logistical challenges. While pilot projects were implemented in Plateau, Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Kwara, Osun, Kaduna, and the Federal Capital Territory, nationwide coverage remained a distant goal.
After substantial public investment exceeding N60 billion with limited results, the federal government unveiled a bold, renewed strategy in 2025 titled The Big Picture on June 17, 2026, with a firm analogue switch-off date set for December 31, 2028.
The new framework introduces a hybrid broadcasting model that intelligently combines Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite delivery via NIGCOMSAT-1R, and Internet Protocol (IP)-based distribution.
By prioritising satellite technology, Nigeria leverages its sovereign satellite assets to significantly reduce dependence on expensive terrestrial transmission infrastructure. This approach is projected to accelerate digital television rollout by over 65 per cent while delivering near-instantaneous national coverage.
The Head of the Digital Switchover (DSO) unit and Deputy Director of Public Affairs at the NBC, Mrs Clementine Usman-Wamba, noted that the Ibadan session is the first of many planned across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
The Ibadan training directly addresses the technical demands of this hybrid ecosystem. Installers will be equipped with skills in satellite dish alignment for DTH, terrestrial antenna optimisation for DTT signals, and the configuration of hybrid reception devices.
Given the significant departure from analogue systems and earlier pilots, this sensitisation is essential to minimise installation errors, reduce service disruptions, and ensure that even households in rural and underserved communities can enjoy seamless access to superior digital broadcasts.
The FreeTV platform, built on open-standard DVB-S2 technology, will offer up to 100 free-to-air high-definition channels to an estimated 40 million television households across the country.
For terrestrial reception, Nigeria has adopted the advanced DVB-T2 standard with MPEG-4 AVC compression, which supports up to 20 channels per frequency—far more efficient than previous systems.
Consumers can access the service using affordable DVB-S2-compatible set-top boxes (priced between N15,000 and N25,000) or smart TVs with built-in DVB-T2 digital tuners.
Beyond technical excellence, the DSO represents a major national economic transformation project. The reallocation of broadcast spectrum (the “digital dividend”) will unlock new opportunities in telecommunications and broadband services. The advertising market is projected to expand by up to N605.2 billion, while local manufacturing and assembly of reception equipment is expected to generate over 20,000 jobs.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has introduced the Blue Economy Accelerator Programme, a strategic initiative to identify, nurture, and accelerate innovative startups that will contribute to the sustainable growth of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.
The Blue Economy Accelerator Programme is aimed at attracting young, vibrant minds with innovative ideas capable of transforming Nigeria’s maritime ecosystem.
The Director-General of NIMASA, Mr Dayo Mobereola, said that through the initiative, participants will receive structured business development support, industry mentorship, and technical guidance to convert promising concepts into viable ventures that address critical challenges and opportunities within the blue economy.
“The programme reflects NIMASA’s commitment to supporting the implementation of the vision of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in unlocking the immense potential of the blue economy by empowering young innovators, entrepreneurs, and technology-driven enterprises. We at NIMASA want to provide a platform for investors to identify young talents and invest in them,” he said.
The NIMASA DG commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, for codifying the Marine and Blue Economy Policy as a clear roadmap for the sector’s development and also urged young Nigerians to embrace the programme, which has the potential to transform raw talents into big investments in the maritime sector.
Applications are open to startups and innovators developing solutions across several strategic sectors, including marine waste management and the blue circular economy; aquaculture And sustainable fisheries; maritime technology and logistics innovation; ocean energy including wave, tidal, and offshore renewable energy; marine tourism and coastal recreation; marine biotechnology such as, ocean data and analytics; green Shipping, including vessel decarbonization; smart port solutions; autonomous marine vehicles; biofouling prevention technologies; and coastal resilience through nature-based coastal defence solutions.
The first phase of the programme is expected to attract a minimum of 150 high-quality applications from within and outside the country, provided they are Nigerian citizens.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State will declare open the 53rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Congress of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) taking place from July 23–24, 2026, at the Providence Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
The event is expected to bring together leaders from advertising, marketing, media, government and the wider creative economy to examine the forces reshaping the industry.
A statement from the group stated that the programme, themed AdVolution: The End of Advertising as We Know It and How to Win What Comes Next, will have the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Mohammed Idris Malagi; the Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Mr Lekan Fadolapo, and others in attendance.
The conference will feature keynote presentations by the CMO of Fidelity Bank, Mr Meksley Nwagboh, and the chief executive of Big Cabal Media, Tomiwa Aladekomo. They will share insights on the evolving advertising landscape and the opportunities shaping its future.
This year’s congress comes at a time when artificial intelligence, digital platforms, changing consumer behaviour and the creator economy are transforming how brands connect with audiences and deliver value.
The conference will examine some of the industry’s most pressing issues, including the shift from interruption-based advertising to participation-led engagement, the evolution of agencies into technology-driven ecosystems, the rise of the creator economy and the growing need to move beyond traditional commission models towards measurable business impact.
The president of AAAN, Mr Lanre Adisa, described this year’s theme as both timely and necessary.
“This year’s AGM comes at a defining moment for our industry. AdVolution captures the reality we are all facing: a period of big change that is reshaping how we work, create and deliver value. This gathering is an opportunity for industry players to come together, exchange ideas and shape the next chapter of advertising in Nigeria,” he stated.
Activities will commence on July 23 with a members-only Business Session featuring the President’s stewardship address, committee reports and deliberations on the Association’s progress and strategic direction.
The main conference takes place the next day and will conclude with the AAAN Gala and Awards Night, celebrating outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s advertising industry.
