NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Economy/Business

Nigeria Customs to deploy E-currency declaration form to curb money laundering

223 total views today

By Martha Agas

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it will deploy an Electronic-Currency (E-Currency) declaration form as part of its anti-money laundering measures for travellers carrying cash into and out of Nigeria.

The service spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada announced this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

Maiwada said that the form was designed to help travellers declare any currency exceeding the legal threshold before arrival or departure.

NAN reports that the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the NCS Act 2023 mandate that travellers carrying over $10,000 (about N15. 4 million) ( or its equivalent in negotiable instruments) must declare it to the NCS.

Maiwada explained that the electronic system would improve monitoring by allowing the NCS to share information with relevant authorities.

“We have developed a system where, even before leaving your point of origin, you can scan a QR code, access the form, fill it out, and we will be able to see it from here.

“The NCS is set to deploy this very soon,” he said.

According to Maiwada, the NCS is working with airline operators to include announcements about the declaration requirement for sums exceeding the stipulated amount.

Maiwada emphasised that the NCS was enhancing awareness on money laundering regulations and reinstating airport signage in English and French.

He noted that recent currency seizures at airports and borders were a result of increased vigilance by the NCS.

“We have reinforced searches at all airports, entry, and exit points identified as high-risk areas for currency movement.

“It is not illegal to move any amount of currency, but when carrying more than $10,000 or its equivalent, travellers must declare it. If you conceal it, the law will take its course.

“In Kano Airport, a lady arriving from Saudi Arabia was caught with undeclared cash. Another case at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, involved $193,000 concealed in a yogurt carton.

“We have also intercepted undeclared CFA currency at Idiroko border,” he said.

Maiwada further disclosed that the reinforcement of cargo scanning points had been instrumental in detecting smuggled cash.

“Density variations in scanned images serve as red flags, prompting further physical examination,” he explained.

NAN reports NCS recently intercepted undeclared 1.1 million U.S. dollars and 135,900 Saudi Riyals at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.

With these measures, NCS aims to strengthen Nigeria’s financial integrity and support efforts to remove the country from international financial grey lists. (NAN)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa

Economy/Business

Nigeria Customs to partner with entrepreneurs in recycling used tyres

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By Martha Agas

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it is partnering with indigenous entrepreneurs focused on recycling used tyres as part of its contribution to promoting environmental sustainability.

The Comptroller-General of NCS, Adewale Adeniyi, stated this at the official inauguration of the NCS’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Unit, Customs Cares, at the Government Secondary School (GSS) Wuse, Zone 3 Abuja, on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NCS recently established its CSR Unit, Customs Cares, to spearhead programmes aimed at supporting the eight presidential priority areas and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Adeniyi said that environmental sustainability forms the fourth pillar of its CSR initiative and remains a cornerstone of the approach.

“As you might know, used tyres form the majority of our seizures in different areas of operations. Under this initiative, we will transform potentially harmful waste materials into useful items such as sandals, school bags and ties.

“I am happy to announce that some of the products from these disciplined efforts are those we will be presenting to our school children today.

“These recycled products will be strategically redistributed under our educational support programmes.

“It will be utilised in our rehabilitation works, creating a circular economy that addresses environmental challenges while supporting both our educational and infrastructure development goals,” he said.

The initiative, he said, would drive tree-planting activities designed to create a greener and safer environment for the present and future generations.

He explained that the CSR was focusing on six key pillars comprising education, healthcare, social investments, environmental sustainability, food security and the creative economy.

The C-G said that under the healthcare module, the initiative plans to conduct medical outreaches, deploy mobile clinics, and implement anti-malaria campaigns to improve community health standards, particularly in underserved areas of its operations.

Adeniyi said custom social investment would initiate water borehole projects, support electricity infrastructure development, and facilitate skills acquisition programmes to enhance community livelihoods and promote economic self-sufficiency in its areas of operation.

“We will leverage the facility already established by the Customs Officers` Wives Association (COWA).

“This is the skill acquisition centre in Karu, to take care of members of our community in FCT and Nasarawa to come and learn some basic skills to keep them going,” he said.

He said that the initiative in driving food security would support agricultural extension services, coordinate food donations during emergencies, and improve market access for farmers to enhance the agricultural value chain across its operational areas.

According to him, the initiative will invest in the creative economy through targeted capacity building, equipment support, and talent development initiatives aimed at nurturing the vibrant creative sector.

He said the initiative’s first pillar, education, was demonstrated at its official inauguration at GSS Wuse Zone 3, symbolising the NCS’s commitment to investing in the nation’s future through educational support and infrastructure development.

“Our educational support programme includes adopting schools in areas of our operation following thorough selection criteria, conducting comprehensive needs assessments to identify gaps, and jointly prioritising interventions in collaboration with relevant authorities.

“We provide learning materials, rehabilitate critical infrastructure, and offer scholarships to promote academic excellence and ensure no deserving student is left behind due to financial constraints,” he said.

NAN reports that during the inauguration, learning aids, including books, school bags, and writing materials, were distributed to 1,300 students in the school.

NAN also reports that CCTV cameras and solar-powered streetlights were installed to enhance safety on the premises. (NAN)

Edited by Peter Amine

Economy/Business

Stakeholders urge Customs to support border communities

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By Martha Agas

Some stakeholders have called on the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to ensure that its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Unit implements projects that positively impact its operational areas, particularly border communities.

The stakeholders made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

NAN reports that the NCS recently established its CSR Unit, Customs Cares, to spearhead programmes aimed at supporting the presidential priority areas and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The initiatives would focus on school renovations, mobile clinic activations, food and medical aid, agricultural support, skills acquisition programmes, and youth empowerment.

A customs and tax expert, Okey Ibeke, described the introduction of the initiative as timely and an efficient tool for bringing stakeholders and host communities together to advance Nigeria`s economy.

Ibeke, the Principal Partner at International Trade Advisory Services Ltd, stated that the projects should impact border communities, as they were often neglected and lack basic amenities and infrastructure.

“Border communities are often neglected by government, because of where they are, they lack social infrastructure, road, schools, water and all these things. They need projects that will touch their day to lives.

“This is because customs rely on them to get information about the movement of smugglers, so getting close to them and doing things to improve their well-being will make them stop seeing customs as enemies.

“That is why, at times, they attack them, but through this CSR, they will start seeing customs as friends, as partners to the economic development of Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, the NCS had already begun its CSR initiatives before the recent formal unveiling and advised them to invest more in projects within the locations of their commands.

He said that the initiative would help secure greater support, especially for their anti-smuggling efforts.

The expert also urged them to invest in key stakeholders at the port, such as training clearing agents, given their critical role in issuing licenses to customs agents.

He alleged that most import duty fraud at the ports was perpetrated by them and explained that demonstrating genuine care for them could help reduce fraudulent activities to the barest minimum.

“The training should educate them on the dangers of committing fraud and highlight its impact on the NCS’s operations, their communities, and future generations, “ he said

Similarly, the Secretary of the Customs Consultative Committee (CCC), Dr Eugene Nweke, noted that the CSR Unit has the potential to make a significant positive impact on Nigerian communities, particularly those in border and riverine areas.

Nweke expressed confidence that, over time, the initiative would encourage communities to either resist smuggling or provide useful information to help customs effectively curb smuggling.

He urged the NCS to undertake projects that empower youths and women involved in farming and mining to enhance their capacity for importation.

“Since customs revenue comes from taxes imposed on trades and related activities, as such it is not out of place if the NCS`s CSR is structured and channel towards empowering young men and women.

“The empowerment should be for those who engage or are involved in farming and mining exportation activities, to boost their consolidation base.

“By so doing, within a few period the CSR will strengthen the exports capacity of the nation, “ he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Peter Amine

Economy/Business

Customs hand over seized contraband pharmaceuticals to NAFDAC

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By Peter Okolie

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit Zone C, Owerri has handed over assorted contraband pharmaceuticals worth millions of Naira to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Comptroller Michael Ugbuagu, in-charge of NCS Zone C, Owerri, handed over the confiscated contrabands to the Coordinator of NAFDAC in Imo, Mrs Mercy Ndukwe on Friday in Owerri.

Ugbuagu, who showcased the contraband medicaments, said they were intercepted by officers of FOU Zone C between January and February, 2025, during routine patrol operations.

He said the 35 assorted seized items were unregistered, expired and controlled pharmaceuticals including Cadolin, Tutolin, and Tramed.

Ugbuagu said some of them were concealed in sacks with other non-contraband goods instead of cartons.

“Most of the items were seized in Onitsha head bridge and some at Ewu on their way to other parts of the country.

“Most times, the items are conveyed through waybills, making it difficult to make arrests,” he stated.

Ugbuagu said the handover of the confiscated items were in line with the policy Trust of Collaboration and fostering inter-agency relationship of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi.

Responding, the NAPTIP coordinator, Ndukwe, lauded the collaboration between the two agencies, noting that it had helped to control sale and consumption of unregistered and controlled substances in the country. (NAN)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

Economy/Business

Tax Reform Bills: Customs duties beyond revenue collection– expert

265 total views today

By Martha Agas

A customs and tax expert, Mr Okey Ibeke, says the duties of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is not only limited to revenue collection but involves highly technical operations.

Ibeke stated this on Thursday in Abuja, following a public hearing on tax reform bills organised by the Special Committee on Tax Reform Bills on Wednesday.

He described the NCS as a specialised agency requiring advanced skills to effectively carry out its functions, adding that the proposed tax reforms could undermine its other specialised and critical operations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the proposed reform bills include the Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.

The Comptroller-General (C-G) of the NCS, Adewale Adeniyi, had stated that the proposed tax reforms aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to an efficient tax system for the country.

Ibeke, however, said that the reform if passed in situ could jeopardise the customs service’s ability to perform its core functions.

He expressed concern that designated revenue agencies may lack the technical expertise, specialised workforce and training to handle the assigned operation of the NCS.

According to him, these agencies might struggle to detect undervalued or misclassified goods, potentially leading to the acceptance of inaccurate importer declarations.

“Customs involves classifying cargo, understanding tariff classifications, and conducting customs valuations.

“Without the expertise to classify cargo and determine the applicable duty rates, there will be significant challenges. Only well-trained customs personnel can effectively perform these functions,” he explained.

He added that NCS operations require applying Rules of Origin (RoO), which is essential for determining a product’s original source.

RoO, he said, is critical for assessing the value of imports, calculating appropriate revenue, and identifying fraudulent practices.

He said that these are tasks that general tax administration systems could be ill-equipped to handle.

Ibeke warned that passing the bills without necessary adjustments could render the NCS redundant and negatively impact revenue generation.

“Is the Federal Government planning to dismantle the customs service? Will they employ customs officers to work in the new agency? Will they create offices for them within the agency?

“ This could lead to confusion. Ultimately, the government, which aims to maximise revenue, stands to lose the most,” he said.

Ibeke pointed out that the NCS has already made significant strides in modernising its operations through its Trade Modernisation Project.

“The deployment of the ‘B Odogwu’ software, for instance, has contributed to increased revenue collection and positioned the service to surpass its 2025 revenue target,“ he said.

He urged the Federal Government to increase funding for the NCS to address revenue collection challenges rather than repealing the 2023 NCS Act, which took over eight years to pass into law.

“The NCS has established infrastructure and is leveraging technology to facilitate trade. Repealing the Act now will undermine these efforts and hinder progress,” he said.

NAN reports that during the public hearing, the C-G emphasised the importance of ensuring that the final bills do not contradict the Act, thereby preserving the agency’s core functions and operational efficiency.

Ibeke called for a balanced approach that would strengthen Nigeria’s tax system without compromising the critical functions of the existing critical revenue agencies. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Economy/Business

Nigeria Customs explains 4% FOB levy suspension

348 total views today

By Muhammad Nur Tijani

The Kano/Jigawa Customs Area Command held a stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday to explain the four per cent Free On Board (FOB) collection and its suspension.

 

Customs Area Comptroller, Dalhatu Abubakar, said that the new revenue law benefits all stakeholders, including exporters, importers, and customs agents.

 

He explained that the FOB collection had been temporarily suspended due to the termination of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) contract with service providers.

 

Abubakar assured that the NCS would resume direct collection of the four per cent FOB once the suspension is lifted.

 

“The FOB collection suspension is due to the termination of our contract with service providers.

 

“We are engaging stakeholders during this period to raise awareness about the levy’s importance,” Abubakar said.

 

The Comptroller noted that the suspension aligns with the NCS’s efforts to transition to direct levy collection by the service.

 

He added that the suspension period would enable the NCS to educate stakeholders on the necessity of the four per cent FOB, legally backed by Section 18 (1) of the NCS Act (2023).

 

“Our aim today is to discuss the ongoing FOB suspension.

 

“This engagement is ongoing, and we will invite you again in the coming weeks to further explain the levy’s purpose and significance,” Abubakar stated.

 

The Comptroller explained that the four per cent FOB, also known as the Financial Customs Service Operation (FCSO), is essential for NCS operations and stakeholder interactions.

 

According to Abubakar, the levy is legally mandated and vital for smooth customs operations.

 

Stakeholders at the meeting were educated on the benefits and legal basis of the FOB, while some expressed concerns about the additional financial burden. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

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