By George Ozalla
The Senate Committee on Customs and Excise has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its impressive revenue performance and contribution to national economic development, particularly through the Kano/Jigawa Area Command. The praise came during an oversight visit to the Command on May 16, 2025, led by the Committee’s Chairman, Senator Isah Jibrin.
The Committee noted that the NCS has played a vital role in driving Nigeria’s economic growth, with the Kano/Jigawa Command generating over ₦31.4 billion in the first quarter. A significant portion of this revenue came from the Kano Free Trade Zone, which saw a substantial increase from ₦459.45 million in 2024 to ₦6 billion.
The Command’s anti-smuggling efforts have also yielded significant results, with seizures including 491,100 tablets of Tramadol worth ₦522.47 million and over $1 million in undeclared foreign currencies at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport. Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar, Area Controller of the Kano/Jigawa Command, attributed these achievements to intensified public sensitisation and capacity-building initiatives for both officers and stakeholders.
During a stakeholder engagement session, participants raised concerns over network downtime and poor road infrastructure hampering trade. The Senate Committee pledged to engage relevant authorities to address these challenges.
The Committee praised Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi for spearheading reforms that have strengthened the Service, particularly in revenue mobilisation, trade facilitation, and border security. The Senate’s commendation underscores the NCS’s critical role in driving Nigeria’s economic growth and development.
