Customs Earns Oyedele’s Praise, Charged To Set Global Trade Facilitation Standards

By Suleiman Aremu | Solaremnews | Sunday, 6 September 2026

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has received commendation from the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, for its impressive revenue performance, strategic investments in technology and ongoing reforms aimed at facilitating trade.

Oyedele gave the commendation on 2 September 2026 during his inaugural board meeting and facility tour at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja, where he praised the leadership and personnel of the Service for the progress recorded in modernising its operations and strengthening revenue generation.

The Minister said the NCS had demonstrated unprecedented operational strength in 2026, generating ₦4.03 trillion in revenue during the first half of the year and an additional ₦1.38 trillion in July and August.

According to him, the figures indicate that the Service remains firmly on course to achieve its ambitious ₦11 trillion annual revenue target, with the performance attributed to increased automation, intelligence-led reforms and improved cargo processing strategies being implemented under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.

Oyedele, who expressed satisfaction with the modern intelligence tools and technological infrastructure deployed by the NCS, said the Service’s achievements provided a strong foundation for Nigeria to assume a leading position in regional and global trade.

He urged the NCS to build on its recent successes by setting world-class benchmarks in trade facilitation, particularly in port efficiency, transparency, cargo clearance timelines and revenue integrity.

“Results are precisely what should propel us to do more,” the Minister stated, stressing that Nigeria’s progress in trade and economic development must be driven by measurable performance rather than rhetoric.

He said the Customs Service was now strategically positioned to pioneer international standards in the management of ports and cross-border trade, adding that improvements in operational efficiency would strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness and contribute to broader economic growth.

The Minister further reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the Service with the necessary tools and policies to sustain its transformation.

Oyedele assured the NCS that President Bola Tinubu’s administration would continue to provide backing for the acquisition and deployment of cutting-edge technology, modern operational equipment and appropriate policy support.

He said the continued empowerment of the Service was essential to consolidating its position as one of Africa’s leading trade facilitation agencies.

The Minister’s commendation comes as the NCS intensifies its digitalisation and institutional reform efforts aimed at improving revenue collection, reducing cargo clearance delays, strengthening compliance and creating a more transparent trading environment.

Under CGC Adeniyi, the Service has continued to place technology, intelligence-led operations and stakeholder engagement at the centre of its reform agenda, with the latest revenue performance providing further impetus for the Federal Government’s broader economic objectives.

Oyedele’s charge therefore places greater responsibility on the NCS to translate its revenue gains and technological advancement into sustained improvements in trade facilitation, efficiency and transparency, while positioning Nigeria as a competitive hub for regional and international commerce.