The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Oyo/Osun Area Command has announced a significant recovery of N25,777,379,328.17 in revenue between March and May 2025. This impressive figure, derived primarily from seized goods and enhanced trade facilitation, represents a substantial 36.67% increase compared to the N18,168,204,255.04 collected during the same period in 2024.

Comptroller Joseph Adelaja, the Controller of Customs for the Oyo/Osun Command, disclosed these achievements during a recent press briefing held at the command’s headquarters in Ibadan. He attributed the remarkable success to the unwavering dedication of his officers, the effective enforcement of customs laws, and the implementation of improved trade facilitation measures.

“Our implementation of modern trade facilitation tools has enhanced compliance among excise stakeholders, significantly reducing revenue leakages,” Comptroller Adelaja stated. He emphasized that these efforts have not only boosted revenue but also strengthened the command’s anti-smuggling operations, particularly as the festive season approaches.

Among the prohibited items intercepted by the command in May 2025 alone, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N335,648,500.00, were foreign parboiled rice, premium motor spirit (PMS), used clothing, and counterfeit pharmaceuticals. Adelaja highlighted the severe risks associated with these illicit goods, stating, “These activities endanger public health, harm local industries, and deprive the government of essential revenue needed for infrastructure development.”

The Comptroller reaffirmed the command’s unwavering commitment to upholding the law and protecting national interests. He further noted that all seizures were made in strict adherence to Section 245 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which provides the legal framework for the seizure and condemnation of prohibited goods.

This revenue surge underscores the Nigeria Customs Service’s intensified efforts to curb smuggling, boost government revenue, and protect the national economy from illicit trade practices across various commands. The Oyo/Osun Command’s performance indicates a positive trend in customs operations, signaling a more stringent approach to compliance and enforcement within the region.