The House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise has sought the support of customs officers for the ongoing amendment of the Nigeria Customs Act 2023.
Chairman of the Committee Leke Abejide confirmed this on Thursday during an oversight visit to the Murtala Muhammed Command of the Nigeria Customs Service.
He clarified that the media misquoted the committee, claiming they proposed a four-year tenure for the Comptroller-General of Customs. He said that was untrue.
Abejide explained that during the 9th Assembly, they proposed that the President appoint a career officer, not below Assistant Comptroller-General, for four years.
He said customs officials modified the proposal, stating it contradicted civil service rules, which led to its exclusion from the final version.
He added that the Police Service retained their amendment, which the President eventually signed into law without issue.
Abejide confirmed that the committee would revisit and reintroduce the provision into the current amendment of the act.
He noted that appointing an Assistant Comptroller as Comptroller-General could force senior officers to retire, creating unnecessary exits from the service.
He stressed the need for amendment, saying an officer appointed today but retiring tomorrow would still serve a full four-year term.
He called for customs officers’ support to help the committee meet its objectives and align customs practices with other paramilitary agencies.
Abejide stated the ongoing review was constitutional, adding that Section 18, Subsection 89, empowers the House to verify customs records.
He said Mr Michael Awe’s tenure was extended by the President for one year, based on performance and nomination from the South-West.
In his remarks, Awe, who is the Area Controller of the Murtala Muhammed Command, said the command generated N181 billion in 2024, up from N90.3 billion in 2023.
He reported a revenue of N45.7 billion in Q1 2025, slightly higher than N45.2 billion generated in the same period of 2024.
Awe highlighted major anti-smuggling achievements in 2024, including several significant seizures across multiple categories.
Seized items included Tramadol Hydrochloride (250mg & 225mg), 50 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, and various military gear and equipment.
Other items included drone packages, Canadian Cannabis sativa, dried sea cucumber, and dried donkey genitals.
Awe described the 2024 seizure of 55 Jojef Tomahawk Semi-Automatic shotguns as the year’s most notable.