Two years of progress: CGC Adeniyi’s reforms drive NCS to new heights
By Omeiza Bilal
Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi assumed leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in June 2023, marking a transformative era with legislative overhauls, revenue surges, and trade efficiencies. Over two years, his reforms have elevated the agency, surpassing revenue targets and earning international acclaim amid Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Leadership appointment and vision
Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, a career customs officer with experience as National Public Relations Officer and Area Controller at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, was appointed acting CGC by President Bola Tinubu on June 14, 2023, with confirmation in October 2023. His tenure, extended by one year in July 2025 to consolidate reforms like the National Single Window and AfCFTA obligations, aligns NCS with President Tinubu’s economic agenda.
Adeniyi’s vision emphasizes trade facilitation, revenue mobilization, societal protection, and stakeholder collaboration, realigning operations with the President’s Policy Advisory Document. “These PPAs have been incorporated… to achieve a tripartite objective: aligning NCS activities with the policy directives of the President,” Adeniyi stated during his first 100 days press conference.
Industry leaders praise his preparation. National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders President Tochukwu Ezeisi noted, “Freight forwarders are happy for the first time in years because our issues are being discussed and decisions are taken immediately.”
Key legislative and operational reforms
Adeniyi’s first milestone was championing the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, signed June 2023, repealing the outdated 1958 Customs and Excise Management Act to modernize governance, streamline operations, and integrate global best practices. The Act establishes NCS as an autonomous entity under the finance minister, enhancing enforcement and innovation.
Operational tools include the World Customs Organization’s Time Release Study (TRS) to cut cargo clearance bottlenecks and the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program for compliant traders, boosting supply chain security. The flagship Customs Trade Modernization Project (TMP), inaugurated June 2023, targets $250 billion in revenue over time via digitization.
In September 2025, NCS launched the One-Stop-Shop (OSS) initiative at major ports like Apapa and Onne, enforcing 48-hour clearances per Executive Order 001 and WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. “This is not just a policy. It is a statement of intent… to build a modern, transparent, and trader-friendly Customs Service,” Adeniyi declared.
Revenue milestones and economic impact
Under Adeniyi, NCS shattered records. From N2.58 trillion in June 2023, revenue hit N4.49 trillion by May 2024 (74% growth), N5.1 trillion in 2024 (exceeding target), N6.11 trillion full-year 2024, and N3.68 trillion in H1 2025 alone (55.93% of annual N6.58 trillion target). Q1 2025 saw N1.3 trillion, doubling Q1 2023’s N600 billion despite lower imports due to forex constraints.
”This is not due to an increase in imports… What has changed is our operational efficiency, transparency, and a reinvigorated approach to enforcement,” Adeniyi explained. Daily peaks reached N58.5 billion on June 13, 2024. Trade value soared 179% to N196.94 trillion in 2024 from N70.50 trillion in 2023, with exports up 234% in mass.
These gains fund national development, with NCS ranking top in PEBEC’s 2024 assessments (100% score, up from 18.53%). The President honored Adeniyi with the NEAPS “Outstanding Revenue Collection” award.
Anti-smuggling and security enhancements
Adeniyi declared emergencies on revenue and security, yielding 3,555 seizures in 2024 with Duty Paid Value doubling to N35.29 billion from N17.56 billion. Interceptions included arms/ammunition (7 occasions), illicit drugs (N6 billion value, 127 seizures), wildlife (N566 million), and nearly 3 million litres of smuggled petrol via “Operation Whirlwind” with ONSA and NMDPRA.
Geospatial tech like satellite feeds bolsters surveillance. Internationally, NCS won “Best National Security Service in West, East, and Central Africa 2023/2024” in Qatar. Collaborations, such as with Ghanaian Customs in November 2025, focus on intelligence sharing against illicit trade.
Adeniyi noted, “Under my leadership, the NCS generated a record-breaking ₦5.1 trillion in revenue… reflecting the efficiency and resilience of the Customs workforce.”
Stakeholder engagement and capacity building
Strategic communication under Adeniyi smoothed the 2023 Act transition and fostered partnerships. Over 6,000 officers trained in H2 2023, 2,400 promoted; salary reviews and retirement packages motivate staff. “We need to motivate our officers… so that they will concentrate on the job,” he said.
Stakeholders applaud. NCMDLCA Deputy President Kazeem Isa Adua stated, “The CGC has done well… we should expect a smooth and optimized clearance process soon.” Advance Ruling System aids pre-import decisions on goods classification.
International recognition and future outlook
NCS’s strides earned global nods, including Adeniyi’s leadership award. The E-Customs Modernization Project ($3.2 billion) will digitize processes nationwide. “Once fully deployed, it will add $250 billion in cumulative revenue over 20 years,” Adeniyi projected.
President Tinubu’s extension signals trust in ongoing reforms. Challenges like litigation on modernization persist, but Adeniyi’s trajectory positions NCS as Africa’s trade gateway. “This national recognition is a challenge… to double our efforts,” he affirmed post-NEAPS.
