By Rabiu Musa, Abuja
The Senate Committee on Customs and Excise has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its strong revenue performance and contribution to national economic development, particularly through the Kano/Jigawa Area Command.
This information was disclosed by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs, Isah Jibrin, during an oversight visit to the Command on Friday, 16 May 2025. The Committee applauded the efforts of Customs officers in enhancing revenue generation and combating smuggling.
Compt. Isah Jibrin, asserted, “What we’ve seen in Kano is commendable. It’s clear the NCS is playing a vital role in driving Nigeria’s economic growth. It remains one of the country’s top revenue-generating agencies. ”
He urged the Service to intensify efforts to plug revenue leakages and strengthen anti-smuggling operations to safeguard the economy.
In his welcome remarks, the Zonal Coordinator for Zone B, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Adekunle Oloyede, thanked the lawmakers for their oversight and reaffirmed the Service’s openness to constructive feedback. He also paid tribute to two officers recently killed in a bandit attack in Kebbi Command, highlighting the risks Customs personnel face.
In his remarks, the Customs Area Controller, CAC, Kano/Jigawa Command, Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar, who took office in February 2025, presented a performance report showing the Command generated over ₦31.4 billion in the first quarter. Of this, ₦6 billion was from the Kano Free Trade Zone—a significant rise from ₦459.45 million during the same period in 2024.
On anti-smuggling operations, Compt Abubakar, said, “The Command seized 13 items, including 491,100 tablets of Tramadol, with a Duty-Paid Value of ₦522.47 million. It also intercepted undeclared foreign currencies exceeding $1 million at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport—the highest such seizure in recent years, in line with anti-money laundering regulations.”
Comptroller Abubakar attributed these achievements to intensified public sensitisation and capacity-building initiatives for both officers and stakeholders.
Participants acknowledged improvements in Customs operations during a stakeholder engagement session but raised concerns over persistent network downtime and poor road infrastructure hampering trade. The Senate Committee pledged to engage relevant authorities to address these challenges.
The visit also included tours of the Kano Free Trade Zone and Inland Containers Nigeria Limited, where officials showcased ongoing efforts to promote trade and investment. NYSC members serving at the Command added a creative touch to the event with a performance titled “The Impact of the Senate Committee on Customs.”
The Committee also lauded Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi for spearheading reforms that have strengthened the Service—particularly in revenue mobilisation, trade facilitation, and border security. They noted that his leadership has laid the foundation for the Kano/Jigawa Command’s recent successes.
