Customs CG may get Four-Year Tenure as Reps propose CEMA amendment – Abejide

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise, Rep. Leke Abejide, has hinted at a possible amendment to the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) to establish a fixed four-year tenure for the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service.

Abejide, who led committee members on an oversight visit to Zone A, Federal Operations Unit, disclosed that the proposed amendment would allow for stability and effective implementation of reforms within the Customs Service.

He pointed out that while the current CEMA 2023 allows the President to appoint a CGC from officers not below the rank of Assistant Comptroller General, it does not specify a tenure. The Kogi lawmaker, who originally sponsored the bill, explained that the idea of a four-year tenure was previously included but was removed by the Customs Legal Department on the basis that it conflicted with civil service rules.

“We wanted to include a four-year term for the CGC, but the Legal Department said it would contradict the civil service rules. Yet it works in the police,” Abejide said. “If a CGC only serves one or two years before retirement, there’s little room to implement lasting reforms. We will revisit the law and work with Customs management to restore that provision.”

He emphasized that the proposed amendment is not aimed at extending the tenure of any individual, but at ensuring that future appointees have enough time to deliver results.

Abejide also updated officers on ongoing construction work for a new zonal headquarters, promising that it would be completed within 18 months to provide more functional office space.

During the visit, the Comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit, Kola Oladeji, briefed the lawmakers on the unit’s achievements. He disclosed the seizure of over 4,000 bags of smuggled rice valued at N294 million in a single operation, and the interception of 6,160 and 4,410 pieces of donkey skin worth N6.709 billion and N5.420 billion respectively.

Oladeji also revealed a discreet operation that led to the seizure of five automatic shotguns and 993 live cartridges hidden in a luxury bus in Lagos. The arms were handed over to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons.

In the fight against drug trafficking, the unit also intercepted 3,643kg of cannabis sativa and Canadian loud, valued at N1.720 billion, now in custody of the NDLEA.

In the first quarter of 2025 alone, the unit recorded 307 seizures worth N9.921 billion and generated N121.797 million in revenue.

At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command, Area Comptroller Harrison Effiong announced a revenue generation of N16.920 billion in Q1 2025. The command also seized 142 parcels of cannabis worth over N290 million, alongside $648,000 and €182,760, which have been handed over to the EFCC.

The lawmakers commended the efforts of Customs officers and assured them of continued legislative support to boost operational efficiency.