A cross section of participants at the event.
Story by Dili Utomi.
The revived and revamped Comptroller General of Customs Conference opened on Wednesday at the Nicon Hilton Hotel, Abuja with all the glitz and glamour of a show business styled activity as well as the seriousness of a military type event.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi led his men in the event which has the theme: “Nigeria
Customs Service: Engaging Traditional And New Partners With Purpose” and in his opening speech, he outlined certain acheivements made, the aspirations that the Service projects to meet and he also outlined the challenges that they need to overcome.
He noted certain achievable goals set at the 2023 edition of the event saying “Our pledge was comprehensive and ambitious: modernising our processes through a one-stop solution for cargo alerts, revolutionizing our ICT infrastructure, streamlining examination procedures, and embracing automation for enhanced efficiency. We committed to reimagining our free trade zone operations, elevating cargo integrity standards, and expanding our scanning capabilities. Above all, we promised to usher in a new era of customs operations- one built on transparency, efficiency, and genuine collaboration with our
partners”.
The CGC’s words “In pursuing these objectives, we expanded the frontiers of our engagement both within and beyond Nigeria’s borders. This past year has seen us not only consolidating existing partnerships but also forging new alliances crucial to our mission. We have deliberately repositioned the Nigeria Customs Service brand, emphasising our commitment to trade facilitation and demonstrating a more nuanced application of our authority in executing our statutory responsibilities. Through extensive stakeholder enlightenment programmes, we have opened windows into our operations, fostering better understanding of our procedures and requirements. This renewed approach to partnership has led to the strengthening of existing agreements and the establishment of new ones, all aimed at creating a more collaborative and efficient trading environment”.
He added that “These strategic engagements and collaborative approaches have yielded remarkable results across our core statutory responsibilities. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to announce that yesterday 12 November 2024, at exactly 13:10 Hrs, the Nigeria Customs Service hit its 2024 revenue target of NGN 5.07 trillion, collecting NGN 5,079,455,088,194.38 with more than a month remaining in the fiscal year. This exceptional performance – projected to exceed
our target by 10% – validates our partnership-driven approach to revenue
collection and trade facilitation. The achievement is not merely about numbers;
it demonstrates how enhanced stakeholder collaboration, improved processes,
and modernized systems can deliver tangible results for our nation’s economy”.
Among the various achievements made over the past one year is the fact that the Service has leapt 33 places upward in the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) rankings, placing them among the top five agencies in trade facilitation too. The AfCFTA Secretariat has also recognised the Service’s innovative approaches which led to an invitation to share Nigeria’s experience at the prestigious Biashara Afrika forum in Kigali last month. The recognition culminated in a historic milestone – Nigeria’s first shipment under the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement, marking the country’s practical commitment to continental trade integration.
Some other achievements made over the period also include the fact that the
Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) scheme now has six beneficiaries in its
pilot phase, carefully selected based on stringent compliance criteria. The Advanced Ruling system has processed 31 requests, with 12 rulings issued -notably, 75% of these were completed in October following our stakeholder sensitisation efforts. Additionally, the introduction of 24-hour cargo clearance at major ports has significantly reduced dwell time; the completion of Nigeria’s first Time Release Study now provides the Service with empirical data to measure and improve efficiency; the enhanced risk management systems are streamlining operations; and the deployment of non-intrusive inspection equipment is accelerating cargo examination while maintaining robust, all-round controls.
More goals have also been achieved as noted by the CGC, the declaration of state of emergency in major Ports has led to the seizure of 41 containers of illicit medicaments and the discovery of different types of endangered wild life parts and which ultimately lead to the protection of the national economy.
Comptroller-General Adeniyi though also used the opportunity to highlight some core areas were the Service have certain challenges, these include the misconception of their role amid monetary policy changes where some stakeholders view their actions
as trade-restrictive rather than recognising their enhanced commitment to trade facilitation.
Adewale Adeniyi, the CG, Customs.
He also mentioned that they continue to grapple with widespread noncompliance among the larger population of traders who, though numerous, contribute relatively smaller portions to the trade volumes, values, and revenue.
Another challenge posed to the Service is that the unprecedented rate of leadership transitions within the Service as there will be up to 40% transition this year alone, a staggering percentage that can create huge administrative and operational gaps. The CG though added that certain solutions to this particular challenge are being sought which “Includes accelerated career progression opportunities for deserving officers, ensuring that talent and dedication are appropriately rewarded. Most significantly, we are making a historic investment in human capital infrastructure through the establishment of a Customs University – a testament to our commitment to building a knowledge driven service. These initiatives, aligned with the World Customs Organisation’s focus on youth leadership development, complement our comprehensive talent management programme that identifies and prepares promising officers for leadership roles, ensuring the Service’s continued stability and effectiveness”.
While rounding up his presentation, CG Adeniyi noted that “As we reflect on our successes and challenges, we are increasingly convinced that no single agency can effectively meet today’s customs challenges alone. The intricate nature of international trade, coupled with our internal transformation, demands innovative partnerships and collaborative approaches”.
He commended every person that has in one way or the other been instrumental to the successes achieved by the Service as he quipped that “And speaking of success, I am pleased to announce that Friday evening will be dedicated to celebrating excellence at our Awards Night. Despite our challenging operating environment, or perhaps because of it, it is crucial that we recognise and reward outstanding performance. We have curated an evening that promises to be both significant and entertaining”.
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