The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun has said that the contribution of the Nigeria Customs Service is crucial in actualising Nigeria’s proposed N48tn 2025 budget.

Edun also revealed that the Federal Government has approved the recruitment of 3,927 Customs officers.

In a statement on Sunday by the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, Edun stated this during the 61st quarterly board meeting of the service recently held in Abuja.

He also commended the service’s pivotal role in boosting Nigeria’s economic recovery.

Maiwada stressed that the meeting followed President Bola Tinubu’s presentation of the 2025 budget to the National Assembly, tagged “A Budget of Restoration.”

Speaking further, Edun said, “The budget projects N35tn in revenue, with the NCS expected to play a critical role.”

Speaking further on the NCS’s performance, Edun disclosed that the agency had generated over N5tn by November 2024 linking the success to reforms introduced by President Tinubu.

“The NCS and other revenue bodies have performed remarkably well,” he said.

The minister further revealed that the government plans to secure concessionary loans, grants, and development support to fund the remaining N13tn.

Edun also noted that the board reviewed the NCS’s 2024 achievements, approving the recruitment of 3,927 officers and granting special promotions to top-performing personnel to bridge gaps and enhance trade facilitation.

“The NCS has excelled in suppressing smuggling and fostering trade, which is crucial for growth and job creation,” he added.

He urged the officers to remain committed to national goals, emphasising the agency’s role in poverty reduction and economic growth.