Nigeria’s Customs Service Board has approved sweeping promotions and fresh appointments across its leadership ranks, while hailing stronger-than-expected revenue collections and ongoing trade reforms.
At its 63rd regular meeting chaired by finance minister Wale Edun on Tuesday, the board named four new deputy comptroller-generals and 12 assistant comptroller-generals, filling vacancies created by retirements and seeking to ensure equitable representation across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
The new deputies are AB Mohammed (North-West), GO Omale (North-Central), OC Orbih (South-South) and D Nnadi (South-East). Among the newly elevated assistant comptroller-generals are MP Binga (North-East), CA Awo (South-East) and OP Olaniyan (South-West).
Beyond the leadership reshuffle, 3,312 senior officers and 202 junior officers also secured promotions following separate management approvals. Officials said the process reflected merit-based advancement and recognition of performance.
The board also reviewed Customs’ role in delivering the National Single Window project, a flagship presidential directive designed to streamline border trade. Nigeria has deployed World Customs Organisation–accredited staff, backed business process design, and advanced technology procurement in collaboration with the Trade Modernisation Project Limited.
On revenue, Customs reported collections of ₦3.68tn between January and June—an overshoot of almost ₦390bn, or 11.85% above projections. That performance means more than half of the annual target has already been achieved in the first half of the year, officials said, attributing the gains to compliance reforms and wider use of technology.
Further updates included progress on the Unified Customs Management System, wider deployment of cargo scanners, electronic tracking tools, new cybersecurity safeguards and capacity-building for staff.
Disciplinary measures were also addressed, with two officers demoted and two reinstated following case reviews.
Comptroller-general Bashir Adewale Adeniyi congratulated those promoted and urged them to meet the “higher standards of innovation, inclusivity, transparency and excellence” now expected of the service.
