Revenue Monitoring Group Commends Customs Over Reforms
By Admin, Lagos
The Revenue Monitoring Group of Nigeria (RMGN) has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for what it described as a major transformation in trade facilitation, border security and technology adoption under the leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, the group said the reforms had repositioned the Customs Service beyond its traditional revenue-collection role, making it an increasingly important institution in trade development, national security and economic growth.
The statement was signed by the President of RMGN, Dr Ifeanyi Duruaku, and the Secretary-General, Comrade Tor Lumun.
According to the group, the NCS has moved away from longstanding manual processes towards digital and intelligence-led operations designed to improve efficiency, transparency and accountability.
“The CGC has redefined NCS processes through automation, transparency, and trust with compliant traders. This has fired up operational capacity and unleashed efficiency across the Service,”RMGN said.
Customs automation and cargo clearance
The organisation particularly praised the deployment of the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS) and the B’Odogwu platform, saying the digital initiatives had helped reduce human interference, minimise revenue leakages and accelerate cargo clearance.
RMGN said the increasing use of technology within the Customs Service had also strengthened operational efficiency and improved the experience of compliant traders.
Beyond trade facilitation, the group highlighted the NCS’s collaboration with security and financial intelligence agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Department of State Services (DSS), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
It said the partnerships had enhanced efforts to tackle smuggling, illicit financial flows and wildlife trafficking.
RMGN highlights Adeniyi’s global recognition
The group also congratulated Adeniyi on his recognition at the international level, following his unanimous re-election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council during its 147th/148th sessions in Brussels on July 3, 2026.
RMGN said the recognition was also an indication of Nigeria’s growing influence in global Customs administration.
Quoting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the group stated that Adeniyi’s re-election was “not only a personal honour, but also a recognition of Nigeria’s growing influence in global Customs administration.”
The President was further quoted as saying that Adeniyi’s leadership had been characterised by initiatives that improved revenue generation, strengthened border security, facilitated legitimate trade and modernised Customs operations through locally developed innovations.
RMGN described the presidential endorsement as “a glowing testament” to the Customs CGC’s achievements.”
Group cites ₦194.94tn trade figure reviewing developments in the Customs Service over the past three years, the group said the reforms had produced measurable results.
It cited Nigeria’s ₦194.94 trillion trade figure for 2025, with exports reportedly rising by 219.5 per cent to ₦136.65 trillion.
According to RMGN, the growth reflected improvements in trade processes and operational efficiency rather than an increase in duty rates.
The group described the development as evidence of the impact of the current Customs administration.
“In what amounts to a referendum on the current leadership, it is clear that under Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Nigeria Customs Service has been significantly transformed,”
RMGN said.
The organisation added that the Service was now delivering across several areas, including revenue generation, trade facilitation, anti-smuggling operations and environmental protection.
It concluded that the reforms had positioned the NCS as a more technology-driven and results-oriented institution capable of supporting Nigeria’s broader economic and security objectives.