Herald News

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) In a bold step toward reforming Nigeria’s trade environment.  has launched its One-Stop-Shop (OSS) Initiative. a system designed to cut cargo clearance time from a daunting 21 days to just 48 hours. The announcement came on Thursday, September 23, 2025, at a management meeting in Abuja chaired by Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi. The event brought together Customs Area Controllers to deliberate on modernization, accountability, and how to make Nigerian ports more competitive. Calling the OSS a “transformative shift,” Adeniyi linked the reform to the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business policy and international best practices. The goal is clear: simplify processes, reduce duplication, and restore trust in Customs operations.  “The OSS initiative will not only shorten clearance time from 21 days to 48 hours, but it will also strengthen trader confidence, restore transparency, and make our opera...

Nigeria will join the global maritime community on Thursday, September 25, 2025, to commemorate World Maritime Day 2025 in Lagos. The event, organized by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, will focus on the theme: “ Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity.” World Maritime Day is celebrated annually under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to raise awareness about the critical role of the ocean in global trade, climate regulation, and human survival. This year’s theme:  highlights the collective responsibility of nations and citizens to protect ocean resources while also exploring the vast opportunities of the blue economy. Speaking ahead of the event, the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, stressed the need for stronger collaboration between the government, private sector, and the public to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s maritime industry. He noted that the oceans represent not onl...

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has called for a new era of collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), stressing the need to build a lasting partnership rooted in mutual understanding and shared solutions. Adeniyi made this known on Thursday, September 18, 2025, when MAN’s Director-General, Segun Ajayi-Kadiri, paid him a courtesy visit at the Customs House in Maitama, Abuja. He emphasised that sustainable cooperation can only be achieved when institutions engage with clarity, commitment, and broader stakeholder participation. The CG of Customs commended MAN’s structured internal processes, where issues are debated across its ten sectors and more than sixty sub-sectors before being harmonised into policy positions.  “The only way to appreciate what can bring lasting friendship, collaboration and partnership is when we understand from both sides what the issues are,” Adeniyi said. ...

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Western Marine Command, has recorded seizures worth ₦582.2 million and unveiled new infrastructure to boost its operations between May and September 2025. Addressing journalists in Apapa on Thursday, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi said the achievements reflect Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi’s renewed drive to secure Nigeria’s maritime borders. 1,827 bags of foreign parboiled rice – ₦127.8m 174 sacks of Ammonium Sulphate & 86 sacks of Polypropylene – ₦4.3m 1,312 loaves of Cannabis Sativa (17 sacks) – ₦168.6m 42 kegs of PMS – ₦1.94m (auctioned) Several boat engines and fibre boats Ntadi said the Command had also reclaimed land from hoodlums, constructed a new security post, refurbished patrol vehicles, and improved welfare facilities with a canteen and modern toilets. The cannabis seizures were handed over to the NDLEA, whose Assistant Controller General, Obadiah Buba Wakawa, commended the strong inter-agen...

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday, 17 September 2025, hosted the newly appointed Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) of the Nigeria Police Force, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Benjamin Hundeyin, at its Headquarters in Abuja. The courtesy visit underscored the Service’s commitment to deepening inter-agency collaboration in strategic communications, public engagement, and strengthening institutional trust. Welcoming the Force PRO, the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Assistant Comptroller of Customs (AC) Abdullahi Maiwada, praised CSP Hundeyin’s humility and sense of responsibility. He assured him of the Service’s support while drawing from personal experience to provide guidance on navigating the complexities of public relations in a security environment. “Public relations is a learning curve. You will face stakeholders with different expectations, but teamwork remains the driving force for success. Build a committed team, harness the energ...

The Comptroller, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Mohammed Shuaibu, has charged newly promoted officers of the unit to wear their new ranks with humility and uphold integrity in service. Speaking at the decoration ceremony in Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, Shuaibu congratulated the 186 officers who earned new ranks, describing the event as a celebration of loyalty, dedication, and patriotism. “The promotions being celebrated here today are not just titles conferred; they are a reflection of your commitment to excellence, your patriotism, and your steadfast service to the Nigeria Customs Service and to our great nation,” he said. Urging the officers to lead by example, the Comptroller advised: “Wear your new rank with humility, lead by example, and serve as mentors and role models to your colleagues. True leadership is not about titles or positions, it is about service, empathy, and dedication to a cause greater than oneself.” Shuaibu also e...

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Tin-Can Island Port Command, has achieved a historic milestone, generating ₦159 billion in August 2025,  the highest monthly revenue collection in the command’s history. The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, disclosed this on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, during a ceremony at the command when  decorating newly promoted officers. Onyeka credited the achievement to the successful deployment of the indigenous B’Odogwu trade platform, which he said has enhanced trade facilitation and boosted revenue. “Everybody here is part of this achievement, but to whom much is given, much is expected. I sincerely appreciate the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for recognising the contributions of officers,” Onyeka said. The Area Controller also announced that 87 percent of officers from the command who sat for the recent promotion examinations were successful. Among them was the command’s Public...

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Zone 'A', on Tuesday, 16 September 2025, decorated 239 senior officers recently elevated to higher ranks at a colourful ceremony held at the Customs Training College, Lagos. Zonal Coordinator, Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Mohammed Babandede, described the mass promotion as a reward for diligence, discipline, and integrity, crediting it to the visionary leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi. “Today’s ceremony represents more than just a change in rank. It symbolizes the Service’s confidence in your ability to lead, your proven track record of integrity, and your readiness to shoulder greater responsibilities in the service of our nation,” Babandede said. Those honoured included 18 officers promoted to the rank of Comptroller, 102 to Deputy Comptroller, and 119 elevated to Assistant Comptroller. ACG Babandede stressed that the promotions were earned through merit and performance, noting:...

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has appointed Comptroller Joe Anani as the new Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Ports Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command, following recent deployments approved by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR. Anani took over from Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) Tenny Mankini Daniyan at a brief handover ceremony and pledged to build on the successes achieved by his predecessor, particularly in revenue collection, trade facilitation, and anti-smuggling operations. He commended the rollout of the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), popularly known as B’Odogwu, under Daniyan’s leadership, describing it as a landmark reform that must be further improved. The new CAC highlighted compliance as the backbone of efficient port operations. He noted that PTML currently holds a record of releasing compliant Roll-on/Roll-off consignments within two hours, and hinted at the possibility of achieving e...

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Seme Area Command has officially welcomed a new Customs Area Controller (CAC) as Comptroller Wale Adenuga assumed leadership of the Command on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. The ceremony, held at the ECOWAS Joint Border Post, Seme-Krake, marked a seamless transition of authority witnessed by top security officials, community leaders, stakeholders in trade and transport, and members of the media. In his maiden address, Comptroller Adenuga commended his predecessor, ACG Oramalugo, for his impactful tenure and pledged to build on his legacy. He made it clear that his leadership would place trade facilitation at the core of operations.  “Trade facilitation is my keyword. When stakeholders make proper declarations, their consignments will leave Customs control within the shortest possible time. The more we facilitate trade, the more revenue we generate and the less smuggling we have,” he said. The new Customs chief emphasized synerg...

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has kicked off a major leap in its trade modernization journey with the official launch of the Automated Excise Register System (ERS)  a digital platform designed to transform the way excise duties are managed in Nigeria. The new system has already gone live in three pioneer factories: British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) PLC, Oyo State International Tobacco Company Ltd, Kwara State Leaf Tobacco & Commodities Nigeria Ltd, Kaduna State According to the NCS spokesperson, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, PhD, the ERS will take over all excise-related processes in these factories  from recording production figures to computing duties and generating reports. The goal is to cut down manual paperwork, eliminate errors, and make excise operations more transparent and efficient. For years, excise administration in Nigeria has relied heavily on manual documentation, which often slowed processes, created loopholes, ...

Comptroller Gambo Iyere Aliyu has officially assumed duty as the new Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service, Oyo/Osun Command, succeeding Comptroller Joseph Olugbuyi Adelaja (Rtd). The brief but colourful handover ceremony took place on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. In his farewell remarks, the outgoing Controller, Adelaja, expressed gratitude to God, the Service management, and his officers for their support. He highlighted key achievements during his tenure, which included enhanced revenue generation, intensified anti-smuggling operations, and improved welfare for personnel. Notably, he resolved persistent power supply issues in the barracks and facilitated the installation of solar systems in both the mosque and church within the premises. Taking over the reins, Comptroller Aliyu pledged to build on these successes while charting a new course for the Command. He emphasized three core priorities for his administration: 1. Boosting revenue collection. 2...

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has assured that the implementation of the National Single Window project will transform trade facilitation in Nigeria and reinforce economic stability. Edun made this known while briefing journalists shortly after chairing the 63rd quarterly meeting of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Board on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at the Customs House in Maitama, Abuja. He revealed that the initiative, scheduled for rollout in the first quarter of 2026, would deploy digital automation to streamline import and export processes, eliminate bottlenecks, and cut costs.  “The National Single Window is a legacy project of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It will revolutionise trade by reducing bottlenecks, cutting costs, and speeding up cargo clearance. This combination of digital automation and efficiency will significantly boost our economy,” Edun said. The Minister disclosed that the NCS had alread...

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), In a major security breakthrough has intercepted a large cache of firearms, ammunition, and industrial drones, preventing what could have been a serious threat to Nigeria’s national security. At a press briefing in Lagos, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Salisu Shuaibu, disclosed that his officers, acting on credible intelligence, carried out two separate operations that led to the seizures. First Seizure: Guns Hidden in Spaghetti & Clothes On Thursday, August 7, 2025, at about 2:13 a.m., operatives intercepted a Nissan Almera along the Ilara bush paths near the Ogun border. The driver and a passenger fled upon sighting the officers, abandoning the vehicle. A thorough search uncovered: 14 used JOJEF Magnum semi-automatic firearms (Italy) 1 Mossberg pump-action shotgun (USA) 4,841 rounds of ammunition 2 cartons of Danu Spaghetti (20 pieces each) 2 bales and ...

The Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) has announced major leadership changes with the appointment of 4. Deputy Comptroller-Generals (DCGs) and 12. Assistant Comptroller-Generals (ACGs). The decisions were taken at the Board’s 63rd regular meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.   According to a statement signed by the National Public Relations Officer,Assistant Comptroller of Customs  Abdullahi Maiwada, PhD, mnipr, mniia,  the officers elevated to the rank of DCG include: Those elevated to DCG rank include AB Mohammed (North-West), GO Omale (North-Central), OC Orbih (South-South), and D Nnadi (South-East). Twelve officers were also promoted to ACG positions across the six geopolitical zones. In addition, the Board approved the promotion of 3,312 senior officers, while Customs Management promoted 202 junior officers, making a total of 3,514 personnel ele...