Nigeria Customs tariff immorality and national embarrassment. By Lai Gidado
Nigeria Customs tariff immorality and national embarrassment.
By Lai Gidado
Every organisation and government agency operates under rules that guide its responsibilities. The Nigeria Customs Service plays a crucial role in the nation’s maritime and blue economy.
The agency is responsible for collecting revenue on goods entering the country through land borders, seaports and airports.
In carrying out its lawful duties, the Service under Bashir Adeniyi has recorded impressive results, far exceeding expectations.
In 2025, the Service generated a record ₦7.28 trillion in revenue, surpassing its ₦6.58 trillion target by ₦697 billion and representing a 19 per cent increase over 2024 collections. This growth amounted to a ₦1.18 trillion rise year-on-year, driven by improved compliance, digital tools and enhanced enforcement.
The anti-smuggling drive also yielded significant results, with over 2,500 seizures of illegal goods valued at more than ₦59 billion.
Notably, the Apapa Command alone generated ₦2.93 trillion. According to the Comptroller-General, this performance reflects a dual mission to protect the economy through intelligence-led, technology-driven enforcement.
However, despite these achievements, troubling reports persist about the conduct of some officers stationed along Nigeria’s highways.
Numerous traders complain that their lorry loads of rice and other goods, already cleared at the ports, are seized along the Abuja highway, Benin–Ore Expressway and the Akure–Ilesha route.
The recurring question remains: if goods have been duly inspected and cleared at the ports by competent officers, why are they being seized again on the way to the market, causing hardship and financial loss to traders?
Even more troubling are allegations that some traders regain their seized goods only after paying unreceipted sums to “the right oga at the top”, costs that ultimately translate into higher prices for ordinary Nigerians.
Activities of some Customs officers on highways have also reportedly led to serious accidents on several occasions.
Drivers of newly imported vehicles, in attempts to avoid being stopped, often speed away. In some instances, officers reportedly pursue these vehicles, leading to head-on collisions involving other road users and resulting in multiple accidents.
One particularly tragic incident reportedly occurred in 2022 at a checkpoint in Igbara-Oke, involving Ondo State civil servants returning from a social engagement in Osun State.
These alleged illegal operations, particularly along the Ogun State axis, are deeply embarrassing. Even with complete vehicle documentation from Tin Can Island Port or Apapa Wharf, motorists reportedly cannot avoid paying unreceipted fees along Sagamu, Ore and Benin expressways. Similar checkpoints are said to exist along Sagamu–Ibadan and Akure–Benin routes.
In 2025, car dealers in Ondo, Ekiti and Osun states staged peaceful protests against the alleged extortion of vehicles properly cleared at the ports along the Lagos–Ibadan–Akure–Okene–Kaba–Abuja corridor.
One recent case illustrates the problem. A vehicle cleared at Tin Can Island Port and heading to Abuja was stopped shortly after the Sagamu Interchange.
After inspection of the documents, the driver was told the “correct fees” had not been paid and was detained until he paid ₦60,000 without receipt.
He was stopped again at the old toll gate and forced to pay another sum. Within Ogun State alone, the driver reportedly paid ₦20,000 at five different points, leaving him stranded without fuel money until his employer sent additional funds.
When contacted, an officer at Tin Can Island Port confirmed that vehicles cannot leave the port without paying necessary dues.
Yet the question remains: why do officers continue to demand additional payments on the highways under the claim that proper fees were not paid?.
What is the management under Bashir Adeniyi doing to rescue Nigerians from these alleged extortions? As one observer asked, is it now easier to route vehicles through the Benin Republic and simply budget for unofficial payments on the way home?.
The current leadership must act urgently to curb these alleged highway extortions, particularly within the Ogun State Command.
Suggested Solutions
All illegal Customs checkpoints on highways should be dismantled immediately.
Payment of all duties and tariffs must be completed before any vehicle leaves the port.
Clearing agents should be issued a verifiable clearance ticket confirming full payment before vehicle release.
God bless Nigeria.
God bless the Nigeria Customs Service.
Lai Gidado an author, publisher and public affairs commentator writes from Abuja Nigeria
12th April 2025
