Customs exceed targeted revenue in Edo, Delta in 2025

The Nigeria Customs Service, Edo/Delta Area Command overshot its annual revenue target in 2025 by 18.48per cent, the Customs Area Controller for the Command, Comptroller Judith Kanu, has disclosed.

Addressing journalists in Warri on Tuesday at a press conference showcasing the achievements of the Command between January and November 2025, the Customs Area Controller stated that even though “for the 2025 fiscal year, the Edo/Delta Area Command was assigned a revenue target of N102,009,494,547.36”, the Command, as at November 2025, overshot the target and generated N125,132,128,108.28.

Kanu declared, “I am delighted to announce that as of November 2025, the Command has not only met but overshot its annual revenue target, recording a total collection of N125,132,128,108.28 between January and November 2925, representing an increase of 18.48% compared to the corresponding period in 2024.

“The breakdown is as follows: Import is N34,119,760,998.93;  Excise – N14,713,083,480.15; VAT – N34,540,312,641.07;  Wheat Grain Levy – N21,546,848,516.62;  FCS – N10,720,756,588.27; Others – N9,491,365,883.51.”

According to the Edo/Delta Customs Area Controller, this exceptional achievement reflects improved compliance by importers and agents; enhanced application of risk management and post-clearance audit; deployment of technology-driven clearance procedures; and strong internal discipline and professionalism among officers.

She also noted that the Edo/Delta Area Command, in line with the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business policy, and the Comptroller General of Customs’ reform agenda, “strengthened trade facilitation measures by ensuring faster cargo clearance through compliant procedures, reduced human interface via automation and process streamlining, and maintained open communication channels with licensed customs agents, terminal operators, and importers”.

“These measures have helped to build trust, reduce delays, and encourage voluntary compliance, which in turn positively impacted revenue generation,” she said.

Also, the Customs Area Controller disclosed that the Command had continued to prioritise stakeholders’ engagement “through regular consultative meetings, sensitisation forums, dispute-resolution mechanisms, and courtesy visits to traditional rulers such as the Olu of Warri, Orodje of Okpe and Asagba of Asaba.”

While noting that sister agencies were not left out during the courtesy visits, she affirmed that the engagements had strengthened collaboration and minimised operational conflicts.

The Customs Area Controller, however, listed some challenges bedevilling the optimal performance of the Command.  These, according to her, included inadequate junior officers, inadequate operational vehicles for effective patrol, as well as office computers, printers and photocopy machines, among others.

culled from punch.