The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, presented the Service’s 2024 budget to the Nigeria Senate Committee on Customs at the National Assembly on Monday, February 5th, 2024.
During the presentation, the CG defended the proposed budget of N706.43 billion for 2024, expressing confidence in surpassing the revenue target of N5.079 trillion set for the year. This target represents a substantial increase of 27.75 percent over the revenue goal for 2023.
To achieve this ambitious target, the Comptroller-General outlined several strategies, including the implementation of the National Single Window initiative spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Finance.
He highlighted plans to streamline and standardize Customs procedures, alleviate port congestion, intensify anti-smuggling efforts, and enhance collaboration with other agencies to improve efficiency and competitiveness.
Emphasizing the importance of supporting local production and ensuring food security, the CG disclosed plans to grant waivers to vehicle owners, allowing them to pay import duties within a specified timeframe to avoid penalties and regularize their vehicle importation by fulfilling duty obligations.
Regarding manpower, the Nigeria Customs Service intends to recruit 1,600 personnel in 2024. The CG clarified that the relatively low number of vacancies reflects the current staffing needs, primarily for junior positions tasked with Customs operations and guard duties.
However, he assured that future recruitment exercises would address additional staffing requirements in subsequent years.