Having surpassed its 2025 revenue target by N674 billion, the Nigeria Customs Service says it is on course for an even bigger haul in 2026 despite global economic uncertainties…..
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has set an ambitious revenue target of N11.074 trillion for the 2026 fiscal year, nearly doubling its 2025 projection after posting a record-breaking performance that exceeded expectations.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, unveiled the target during the agency’s 2026 budget defence before the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Customs, where lawmakers also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for extending his tenure by six months.
According to Adeniyi, the Service had already realised N4.43 trillion of the projected revenue as of May 31, 2026, reflecting what he described as strong momentum toward achieving the year’s target.
He disclosed that the NCS is proposing a total expenditure of N1.235 trillion for the 2026 fiscal year. The breakdown includes N421 billion for personnel costs, N307 billion for overheads, and N565 billion earmarked for capital projects.
Highlighting the agency’s performance in 2025, the Customs boss said the Service outperformed its revenue target of N6.584 trillion, generating N7.277 trillion instead. The figure represents an increase of N674 billion, translating to a 10.24 per cent positive variance above the approved target.
Adeniyi, however, noted that the revenue could have been significantly higher if not for the impact of certain government policies, particularly tariff concessions on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric vehicles, as well as the delayed implementation of the proposed Green Tax.
He maintained that despite external challenges, including the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, the Service remains confident of delivering on its ambitious revenue projection.
“Despite the major elephant in the room, which is the crisis in the Middle East, the Nigeria Customs Service is determined to achieve its revenue target of N11.074 trillion in 2026 and even surpass it,” Adeniyi told lawmakers.
The presentation drew praise from members of the National Assembly, with Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs, Senator Jibrin Isah (Kogi East), congratulating the Comptroller-General on the recent extension of his tenure.
Isah credited the Customs leadership with driving major reforms that have strengthened revenue generation, intensified anti-smuggling operations, improved trade facilitation and enhanced infrastructure to support the ease of doing business across the country.
“Customs under your leadership has been transformed through a series of revenue-generating reforms, improved anti-smuggling measures, enhanced trade facilitation and the provision of critical infrastructure that has improved the ease of doing business,” the senator said.
He urged the Customs leadership to sustain the momentum and ensure the agency delivers on its ambitious 2026 revenue target.
Following the budget presentation, members of the Senate Committee unanimously approved the Nigeria Customs Service’s 2026 budget proposal through a voice vote, expressing confidence in the agency’s ability to meet its projections.
