By: Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has declared that Nigeria’s ambition to build a $1 trillion economy is achievable, pledging the full support of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) towards realising the target.
Adeniyi stated this on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, while delivering a keynote address at the New Nigeria Festival held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Conference Hall, Abuja.
The Customs boss said the realisation of the ambitious economic target would depend largely on effective implementation of the plans and strategies already developed by the government and relevant institutions.
According to him, the country must move beyond policy formulation and rhetoric to concrete and measurable action capable of delivering tangible economic results.
“Execution is nothing if it is not concrete. We have to move from ideas to action and ensure that whatever we plan translates into results. That is how we can begin to see the kind of transformation we are talking about,” he said.
Adeniyi said the NCS had already begun taking practical steps to support the country’s economic ambition through its ongoing modernisation reforms.
He cited the deployment of B’Odogwu, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, and the Advance Ruling mechanism as key initiatives aimed at facilitating legitimate trade, improving predictability in the business environment and strengthening revenue generation.
The CGC stressed that achieving a $1 trillion economy could not be the responsibility of government agencies alone, but required the collective commitment and participation of institutions, businesses and citizens.
He noted that the NCS, given its statutory responsibilities for revenue collection, trade facilitation and border management, was strategically positioned to contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economic transformation.
Adeniyi therefore called for greater ownership and accountability across the country, urging institutions and citizens to translate national aspirations into practical and measurable actions.
He maintained that the $1 trillion economic ambition would become attainable when stakeholders moved from planning to effective implementation and delivered results that could drive sustainable economic growth.
