The Nigeria Customs Service, Oyo/Osun Area Command, said it collected N82.1bn in revenue in 2024.

In a statement on Friday, the Customs Area Controller in charge of the command Dr Ben Oramalaugo, stated this while addressing journalists at the command.

He described the revenue collection by the command for 2024 as exceptional and respectable.

“In 2024, the command successfully generated N82.1bn,” Oramalaugo said.

Oramalaugo explained that despite the severe economic obstacles encountered, the total revenue received in 2024 was the largest since the inception of the command.

He said the achievement represents the hard work and dedication of the officers and men under his leadership, “as well as our strong collaboration with stakeholders in the business community, in-depth strategic enforcement, and improved compliance.”

Meanwhile, the CAC also announced that in January alone, the command collected the sum of N7.8bn as revenue.

He mentioned that the sum collected signifies a 10.1 per cent and 14.3 per cent increase in revenue when compared to the sums of N7bn the command collected in the same period in 2023 and 2024 respectively.

Oramalaugo pointed out that the revenue milestone was achieved with the successful implementation of many strategic initiatives aimed at increasing compliance and streamlining our procedures.

He added that through these initiatives, the command was able to reduce delays, boost efficiency, and facilitate trade while collecting proper duties by “utilising technology such as the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System and taking a proactive approach in addressing legitimate traders’ problems.”

The Oyo/Osun Customs boss maintained that another important area of attention for the command is the ongoing endeavor to combat smuggling within the country.

He reiterated that through sustained efforts, the command has achieved tremendous progress in countering unlawful activities that endanger the country’s security and impede the growth of local industry.

Oramalaugo averred that due to the interceptions and seizures of uncustomed commodities valued at N5.3bn, the command scorecard for anti-smuggling efforts in 2024 is improved

“In comparison to the duty paid value of N451m intercepted and confiscated in 2023, the duty paid value for 2024 represents a 1,091 per cent increase.

He said that between December 20th, 2024, and January 31st, 2025, the command intercepted and seized smuggled goods worth N202m.

Oramalaugo said that items included “170 bags of foreign parboiled rice, worth N14.9m, 1667 pieces of used tyres valued at N160m, 32 bakes of used clothes valued at N23m, 40kegs of Premium Motor Spirit valued at N792,000, among others.”

The CAC stressed that as the command carried out these anti-smuggling operations, they also remained focused on protecting the interests of the local manufacturers and industries.

“Our efforts ensured that cheaper, substandard, and harmful goods were kept out of our markets, thereby allowing local producers to thrive and ensuring the health and safety of our citizens,” he concluded.