The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Area 1 Command in Port Harcourt has announced a groundbreaking achievement in its revenue collection for 2024, surpassing the N200 billion mark for the first time. The Command has pledged to double its efforts in 2025 to sustain this remarkable growth and further increase national revenue.
For the year 2024, the NCS Area 1 Command collected a total of N200,585,362,796. This achievement represents a monumental 72.41% growth from the N116.29 billion collected in 2023. The revenue surge was driven by several strategic initiatives aimed at improving operational efficiency, enforcing customs regulations, and curbing smuggling.
Speaking about the success, Comptroller Mustapha Hashim, the Customs Area Controller for Area 1 Command, expressed his pride in the accomplishments while setting a high bar for the future. “This is a significant milestone for the Command, and it’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our officers. We are committed to surpassing this figure in 2025 and ensuring that our revenue collection continues to rise,” Hashim said.
The year-on-year increase of N84,295,872,220 was largely attributed to a blend of strategic enforcement operations, improved monitoring systems, and better coordination with other enforcement agencies. These factors have collectively bolstered the Command’s capacity to manage its revenue more effectively while addressing irregularities like smuggling and non-compliance with customs duties.
“We have stepped up our efforts in monitoring and enforcing compliance. With increased patrols, enhanced collaboration with sister agencies, and more effective surveillance, we have made significant strides in curbing smuggling activities. This has had a direct positive impact on our revenue generation,” Hashim emphasized.
Revenue Breakdown and Challenges
The year’s earnings were not without their challenges, however. While the Command exceeded its target in most areas, a key factor that affected the overall revenue was the Presidential directive on food import waivers. This policy, which was introduced in July 2024 and ended in December, provided waivers on imports of critical foodstuffs like wheat, maize, and grain. These food items, which form a significant portion of imports at the Port Harcourt Command, caused a 13.04% shortfall in the Command’s total revenue for the year.
Despite this, the Command remained optimistic, stressing that the overall growth in revenue reflected their continued progress in achieving customs objectives. Hashim noted, “While the food import waiver did present challenges, the policy was necessary to address the country’s food security issues. We anticipate that revenue will improve now that the waiver period has ended.”
Another area where the Command saw considerable growth was in export activities, which are crucial to Nigeria’s economic diversification strategy. Exports from the Port Harcourt Command soared to 17,352,817 metric tons in 2024, valued at $1,452,393,438. The revenue from these exports alone contributed significantly to the total revenue for the year, with the Naira equivalent of N2,900,883,557 paid in export duties.
“We are proud to have contributed to Nigeria’s non-oil export revenue. Agricultural exports are a key area of focus for us, and we are committed to facilitating trade and ensuring that exports are processed efficiently,” Hashim stated.
Impact of Bulk Cargo and Partnerships
In addition to exports, the Command managed substantial imports, including bulk cargoes such as wheat, frozen fish, gypsum, and oil well equipment. These imports were responsible for a significant share of the N200 billion collected in duties. In total, 289 ships called at the Area 1 Command’s ports in 2024, delivering over 4 million metric tons of cargo. The total duty collection from these shipments played a crucial role in meeting the revenue goals set by the Command.
“Revenue from bulk cargoes, along with excise duties from factory imports, has been a key driver of our financial success. We will continue to strengthen our collaborations with shipping companies and port stakeholders to ensure that our revenue targets are met in 2025,” Hashim added.
The role of effective collaboration was further highlighted in the Command’s relationship with other agencies. Hashim was quick to thank the Comptroller-General of Customs, BA Adeniyi, and the Zonal Coordinator, SK Dangaladima, for their continued support, which, he said, made these achievements possible. Additionally, the Command expressed its gratitude to various stakeholders in the shipping, logistics, and port sectors for their partnership and cooperation.
“We couldn’t have achieved this without the support and collaboration of key stakeholders. The partnership between Customs, shipping companies, and port authorities is crucial to our success. Together, we have ensured that the process of clearing goods and collecting duties is smoother than ever before,” Hashim acknowledged.
Looking Forward to 2025
With an eye on 2025, the Command is already laying plans to ensure that the momentum is sustained. Hashim noted that efforts will focus on further improving trade facilitation, anti-smuggling measures, and customs duty compliance.
“We will continue to improve our operations in 2025 by deploying advanced technology to monitor goods, enhance border security, and streamline clearance processes. We are committed to delivering higher revenue and facilitating faster, smoother trade,” Hashim concluded.
As Nigeria moves into the new year, the Port Harcourt Customs Area 1 Command is poised to remain at the forefront of customs operations, with an ambitious target to exceed its 2024 performance. The Command’s success not only contributes to national revenue but also supports the broader goals of economic stability and trade facilitation for the country.
