The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has been lauded for its critical role in supporting Nigeria’s economic recovery and contributing to the Federal Government’s ambitious ₦48 trillion expenditure target for 2025.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Olawale Edun, highlighted the NCS’s significance during the 61st quarterly board meeting held on Wednesday, December 18, at the Customs House, Maitama, Abuja. The meeting followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presentation of the 2025 budget, tagged “A Budget of Restoration,” to the National Assembly.

With ₦35 trillion in projected revenue for the 2025 fiscal year, the NCS is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving this target. Speaking at the event, Mr. Edun disclosed that the Customs Service had already generated over ₦5 trillion as of November 2024, attributing this achievement to reforms introduced by President Tinubu’s administration.

“The NCS and other revenue bodies have performed remarkably well,” Mr. Edun stated. He further explained that the government plans to secure concessionary loans, grants, and development support to address the ₦13 trillion funding gap in the budget.

During the meeting, the board reviewed the NCS’s 2024 achievements, which included the approval of recruitment for 3,927 new officers and the granting of special promotions to outstanding personnel. These measures, Mr. Edun noted, aim to bridge operational gaps and enhance trade facilitation efforts.

“The NCS has excelled in suppressing smuggling and fostering trade, which are critical for economic growth and job creation,” he added.

Mr. Edun urged Customs officers to remain steadfast in their commitment to national objectives, emphasizing the agency’s role in poverty reduction and economic development.

The Federal Government’s ₦48 trillion budget underscores the importance of robust revenue generation and economic reforms, with the NCS positioned as a key player in driving the nation’s fiscal sustainability and growth.