The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Enugu/Anambra/Ebonyi Command achieved a historic milestone in 2024 by collecting an unprecedented revenue of N50,847,625,597.08. This represents a 50% increase from the N27.9 billion collected in 2023, making it the highest revenue collection in the Command’s history.
According to the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Comfort Ukpanah, the achievement was made possible through strategic alignment with the Comptroller General’s policy guidelines: Consultation, Innovation, and Consolidation. She emphasized the importance of collaboration with stakeholders and a meticulous monitoring system to ensure compliance and close operational gaps.
“This outstanding breakthrough was achieved through our deliberate and concerted efforts at alignment with the three policy guidelines of the Comptroller General of Customs, viz: Consultation, Innovation, and Consolidation. In this regard, the command worked assiduously to create an all-inclusive methodology in our modus operandi with our stakeholders,” Comptroller Ukpanah explained.
Strategies That Led to Success
The Command introduced a compliance monitoring template for stakeholders and officers to prevent revenue leakages. Special attention was given to excise factories and parcel post operations. Through intelligence sharing and collaboration, the Command identified and brought under control excise factories that had previously evaded Customs oversight.
Comptroller Ukpanah highlighted the Command’s commitment to vigilance:
“The Command ensured round-the-clock surveillance on activities of such factories, in addition to the existing ones, to ensure that appropriate excise duties were collected.”
Despite challenges posed by the global economic recession, the Command’s resilience and dedication ensured that all collectible revenues were accounted for.
Future Outlook for 2025
As Nigeria faces a national budget projection of N49.74 trillion for 2025, the Command is gearing up to meet and surpass its expected revenue targets. Comptroller Ukpanah assured Nigerians of their readiness:
“We will surely take steps to reposition ourselves and create fresh operational strategies to ensure that we meet and even surpass the revenue target that will be given to the Command in this new year. We have the competence and capacity to achieve that.”
Strengthened Collaboration with Stakeholders and Agencies
The Command also strengthened its relationship with security and regulatory agencies, as well as traditional institutions. These collaborations, particularly in intelligence sharing, contributed significantly to the year’s achievements.
A major highlight of 2024 was the visit of the National Chairperson of the Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA), Mrs. Kikelomo Adewale Adeniyi, who inspected and commissioned completed projects, including an ultra-modern clinic serving both Customs officers and the local community.
Recognition and Appreciation
Comptroller Ukpanah praised the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his leadership and support, which she credited as key to the Command’s success.
“May I assure the CGC that the Command will remain a strong link in the value chain in assisting him to realize the huge expectations of Nigerians and Mr. President,” she stated.
She also acknowledged the role of the media, calling them reliable partners in national development:
“This statement will not be complete without specially recognizing the role which our media friends have been playing in supporting the Nigeria Customs Service. You have proven to be reliable and dependable allies.”
Call for Compliance
In her closing remarks, Comptroller Ukpanah advised traders to adhere to trade guidelines to avoid sanctions. She also commended her officers for their hard work and encouraged greater efforts in 2025.
“The officers and men of Enugu/Anambra/Ebonyi Command also deserve special mention for their untiring effort during the period. I believe they will do even better in this new year,” she concluded.
