Nigerian Customs backs intelligence-led anti-smuggling efforts ahead of 2027
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Punch
Nigeria’s customs chief, Adewale Adeniyi, says intelligence, data analysis and joint patrols with neighbouring countries are more effective against smuggling than border closures. Speaking at the University of Ibadan, he recalled that the 2019–2020 border closure had led smuggling networks to reorganise, according to Punch.
Nigeria’s Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, on Tuesday backed the use of intelligence, data and joint patrols with neighbouring countries to fight smuggling instead of closing borders. He was speaking at a conference at the University of Ibadan, according to Punch.
Adeniyi recalled that the closure of land borders from August 2019 to December 2020 had curbed some operations but failed to dismantle smuggling networks. A field study published this year found that the networks had reorganised, he said.
The official also highlighted the importance of customs revenue in funding public services. In 2023, the average tax-to-GDP ratio was 16.1% in Africa, compared with 33.9% in OECD countries, he said. He argued that imports were easier to monitor than income in economies with large informal sectors.
Import concessions amounted to about 1.68 trillion naira in 2024, Adeniyi added, calling for these exemptions to be carefully reviewed. Nigerian Customs has recently highlighted its security cooperation, following its security cooperation.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
