The Nigeria Customs Service has announced that it generated N1.3tn revenue for the first quarter of 2024.

The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, explained that over 572 seizures were made with a duty-paid value of N10bn.

Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, he said, “In the first quarter of 2024, the NCS demonstrated remarkable performance in revenue collection. Total revenue collected during this period amounted to NGN 1,347,675,608,972.75. The collection for the first quarter represents a substantial increase of 122.35% compared to the same period last year, where NGN 606,119,935,146.67.

“When compared to the Federal Government’s annual revenue target of NGN 5.07 trillion for the NCS to collect in 2024, the target translates to a monthly revenue target of NGN 423 billion.”

Adeniyi also said that N1.6bn was generated through its electronic auction platform inaugurated in the first quarter of the year.

The Customs boss, however, said that the Service encountered a major challenge in the fluctuations of the exchange rate regime, which he said has distrupted its activities.

He said, “In the last quarter, a total of 28 rates were directed by the CBN, ranging from NGN 951.94 per USD 1 in January 2024 to a peak of NGN 1,662.35 per USD 1 in February 2024. While a singular exchange rate of NGN951.94 per USD 1 was maintained in January, February witnessed 15 different spot rates ranging from NGN 951.94 per USD 1 to NGN 1,662.35 per USD 1.

“March saw a total of 13 different spot rates applied, ranging from NGN 1,303.84 to NGN 1,630.16. These fluctuations resulted in an average applied exchange rate of NGN 1,314.03 per USD 1 in the clearance of customs goods during the quarter.

“The repercussions of these fluctuating rates have sent concerning signals to our stakeholders, affecting and disrupting activities.”

Adeniyi, however, expressed delight in the relative stability in the past days, adding that the Service, with the support of the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, has initiated periodic consultations with the apex bank to mitigate the potential impact of exchange rate fluctuations on import activities.”