By Joy Odor
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has presented its 2025 budget proposal to the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff with a directive to generate ₦10 trillion in revenue.
During the budget presentation, the NCS team led by Deputy Comptroller General, Jibo Bello informed that the NCS seeked approval for a revenue target of ₦6.584 trillion and expenditure of ₦1.132 trillion.
According to the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Isah Jibrin (APC, Kogi East) in his address, revenue generation alone is not enough, this is as NCS exceeded its 2024 revenue target of ₦5.079 trillion,
The Senate Committee therefore directed NCS to aim for a revenue target of ₦10 trillion in 2025, exceeding the initial proposal.
The Committee unanimously approved the proposal, which will be presented to the Senate at plenary.
The Committee stressed the need for NCS to enhance its surveillance and security measures to combat illicit drug trafficking and smuggling
They encouraged NCS to support local production by curbing the importation of goods that can be produced domestically, conserving foreign exchange earnings and generating employment opportunities.
Senator Jibrin charged NCS to intensify efforts to combat smuggling and the influx of illicit drugs, warning that these challenges pose serious threats to national security.
The senator decried the continued importation of goods that can be produced locally, urging NCS to be more vigilant and supportive of federal efforts to promote local production.
Senator Jibrin stressed that protecting local industries would help reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign exchange, ease pressure on the naira, and stimulate job creation.
He emphasized that supporting domestic production would boost the economy, create employment, and encourage the use of local raw materials.
The Lawmaker affirmed that the final figures for the 2025 budget proposal will be presented to the full Senate when plenary resumes on Tuesday, June 24, following the Sallah break.
