Rejoinder: That Piece on Nigeria Customs’ Mess at the Border
By Abdulsalam Mahmud
Even without having an acquaintance with him, I know that Mr. Yemi Adebowale is a patriotic Nigerian, who wishes that all systems of governance in Nigeria work, and efficiently too. He surely means well for Nigeria, and that is why he regularly contributes well-researched, edifying and thought-provoking articles on critical national issues for THISDAY newspaper, in his Saturday columns.
His latest essay, titled: “The Mess By Customs at the Border,” was an interesting read, as usual, for Yours Truly. Like the previous ones he authored, Adebowale articulated and marshaled out his arguments, in a manner that can only be regarded as lucid and convincing.
He apparently did not fail to enlighten his readers and Nigerians, in extension, about the decades-long rot in the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS – which they knew, already. However, Adebowale failed somewhat to acknowledge the assiduous effort Acting Comptroller General of Customs, Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, is making to cleanse the Augean stable.
There is no denying the fact that the Nigeria Customs is still battling with systemic administrative issues, manifesting in the way and manner some of its personnel unprofessionally and recklessly discharge their responsibilities.
It is no brainer that Customs officers and men have, in recent years, failed to guarantee effective border security, which is fuelling the menace of rice and oil smuggling, together with the importation of all sorts of contrabands, like Mr. Adebowale rightly mentioned, in his piece. Everyone also knows that not all Customs’ officers are incorruptible. In the NCS, some bag eggs often engaged in fraudulent dealings, causing the agency to be described as a cesspool of corruption.
It is worrisome, to add that the Nigeria Customs, have always struggled to clear the air on the allegation of it not remitting proceeds of seized and auctioned goods, to government’s purse. The aforementioned and other failures of the Customs is not what can be addressed within a blaze. They will take some time, and perhaps, through the instrumentality of a visionary Comptroller in the saddle.
At the time the Acting CG was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Customs’ helmsman, the image of the NCS had terribly been battered. It will be the height of mischief to say that the Customs was not almost consumed by the corruption and inefficiency claims of Mr. Adebowale, and other objective citizens.
However, the Acting Comptroller, in hitting the ground running after assuming office, embarked on robust stakeholder engagement parleys, not only with other security and law enforcement outfits in the country, but also foreign nations and State Governments, together with Heads of other government agencies and traditional institutions.
Suffice to say that Adewale Adeniyi has embarked on a pleasurable expedition of enhancing Customs’ efficiency through international collaborations, cutting-edge technologies such as AI-driven solutions, and innovative projects, all aimed at shaping the future of customs practices in the country.
Without gainsaying, and in line with his policy thrust of Collaboration, Consultation and Innovation, the Acting NCS Comptroller’s partnership with professionals and global experts is geared towards making informed decisions that will not only promote trade facilitation, but boost the operational effectiveness of Customs’ personnel.
Adeniyi, towards ensuring that a breath of fresh air pervades the Nigerian Customs ecosystem, has sleeplessly been toiling day and night to reposition the NCS, and restore its past glories. Recently, the Service made collaborative engagements to operationalise the use of Geospatial Intelligence, GEOINT, to enhance the efficiency of NCS enforcement operations and contribute to overall efficiency.
The Acting CG has also engaged in strategic discussions with partners such as the World Customs Organisation, WCO, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Japan Customs Administration. The discussions aim to garner support for establishing a customs Laboratory, which is a significant milestone in enhancing customs operations and trade facilitation across Nigeria.
The NCS Laboratory, for emphasis, will provide comprehensive solutions to address challenges such as counterfeit goods, smuggling, and non-compliant imports, thereby bolstering revenue generation and ensuring the protection of public health and safety.
With its advanced analytical capabilities, the laboratory is expected to deliver precise identification, verification, and classification of goods, enabling efficient enforcement measures and informed decision-making, while fostering an environment of trust and credibility within Nigeria’s trade ecosystem, marking a transformative step towards achieving seamless customs operations, trade competitiveness, and national economic growth in line with the vision of the President Tinubu Led Administration.
Similarly, Adeniyi’s engagements extended to fruitful discussions with relevant experts and donors, focusing on crucial areas such as conducting a Time Release Study (TRS), implementing the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program, leadership, and management development.
These discussions, no doubt, underscore the CG’s commitment to comprehensive improvements and his inclination to adopt innovative solutions across various customs domains, ultimately enhancing operations.
About a month ago, the Acting Customs boss, further expressed his commitment to synergize with the Benin Republic to enhance trans-border security and regulate trade between the two countries. This was at a time when he also affirmed partnership with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN—Habitat, to combat smuggling.
In furtherance, the Nigeria Customs has also reinvigorated its collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Transport and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to decongest Ports and enhance border security.
Still in the spirit of collaboration, Adeniyi, on 21st July 2023, during an official visit to Seme and Badagry, urged local communities to support law enforcement agencies in enhancing border surveillance. Considering the fact that Lagos controls 70 to 75 percent of NCS’ total revenue collection, the Customs Chief also paid a courtesy visit to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and pledged partnership with the state government.
In what seems like one of the most productive collaborations towards enhancing national security and curbing revenue loss, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Nigeria Customs have commenced an intensive vehicle database integration at the two government agencies.
Meanwhile, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi in early August visited the Acting Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, for inter-agencies’ cooperation and collaboration to fast-track sustainable working relationships between the Customs and the Nigeria Police, to ensure adequate security of lives and properties in the country.
Immediately after the Niger Republic coup and the decision by President Tinubu to shut down Nigeria’s borders, the Customs helmsman visited Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina, requesting the cooperation of the State’s border communities.
Additionally, Adeniyi has also expressed the readiness of the Customs’ management to collaborate with the National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) in the fight against trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons.
As part of reviewing the anti-smuggling operations of the Customs, the CG disbanded the agency’s Strikeforce Team on the 17th of July, 2023, with a view to foster accountability, reduce multiple checkpoints and strengthen the Federal Operations Unit arm of the Service nationwide.
The acting CG of Customs, over the last 100 days in office, has held strategic alliances and talks with development partners to promote good relationships and service efficiency. These collaborations, without equivocation, have been vital to the Service’s gradual adoption of technology to enhance revenue generation.
Talking about revenue generation, there has been a remarkable boost in the monthly revenue collection of the Customs since Adeniyi came on board. The average monthly collection of N202 billion by the NCS in the first half of the year surged to N343 billion between July and August – about 70.13% increase in revenue collection. So far and under Adeniyi, the Nigeria Customs has been exceeding its monthly target collection of N307 billion.
In its ongoing war against smuggling, the NCS has achieved impressive results over the past eight months. With a total of 1,763 seizures, valuing a substantial N11.9 billion in Duty Paid Value, the Nigerian Customs successfully intercepted various contraband items, including arms, ammunition, illicit drugs, substandard pharmaceuticals, and other prohibited goods that pose grave risks to citizens.
It is necessary to also point out that the NCS has suffered series of attacks on its allant operatives ranging from blocking access roads, mob actions, and altercation from smugglers and their sympathisers, often resulting in permanent disability and loss of lives.
There are also several instance where customs operatives acting on credible intelligence, intercepted truckloads, and other occasions, thousands Jerrycans of smuggled petrol products.
The PRNigeria reported how the service intercepted trucks of smuggled petroleum products at the border. The customs boss himself, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi recently confirmed that contrabands intercepted by the Federal Operations Unit (FOU Zone A) included 35,100 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 1,100 litres of diesel with arrests of suspects.
These seizures, accompanied by the apprehension of scores of suspects clearly underscore Adeniyi’s commitment to ending the menace of smuggling in the country. For sure, the Nigeria Customs still has a long way to go, if it must become the model revenue-generating and anti-smuggling fighting body Mr. Yemi Adebowale and other progressive Nigerians envisioned.
Yet, that vision is not unattainable – in the long run – judging by the transformational leadership Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi is already offering as the Acting Comptroller General of the Service. The objective criticisms of Mr. Adebowale and other patriotic Nigerians cannot dampen his zeal and spirit to work, but rather bolster it.
*Mahmud is the Deputy Editor of PRNigeria, and wrote in via: [email protected].*
