By Steve Agbota
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said the service is seeking presidential approval to review the cost of its N73 billion Customs Village project, citing changing realities since the initiative was conceived.
It was reported that President Bola Tinubu had on Saturday, 4th March, 2026, commissioned the Customs Village designed as a comprehensive operational hub, housing key formations such as the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), a training school, barracks, warehouses, and other critical facilities, at Iperu, Ogun State.
According to the Customs CG, the project, initially estimated at N73 billion, has been impacted by developments over time, necessitating a variation of the original approval.
“This was conceived to be in the region of N73 billion. But, of course, between inception and now, a number of things have happened,” he said.
He disclosed that only about 45 per cent of the project has been completed, with significant work still outstanding.
“We are now in the process of seeking Mr President’s understanding that we might need to vary what was originally approved. We are only 45 per cent in the execution of the project that we have done here, and so we still have a fairly long way to go,” he added.
The Customs boss expressed optimism that, with the necessary approval, the project could be completed within the tenure of President Bola Tinubu.
“It would be in our interest, it would give us delight if Mr President would give us the enablement to finish this during his tenure,” he said.
The development, he noted, was driven by the need to balance the core mandates of the service, revenue generation, trade facilitation, and enforcement, with improved staff welfare and a better working environment.
He said existing facilities in Ikeja, Lagos, had become overstretched due to the expansion of Customs operations over the years.
“When we joined the service over 30 years ago, this was a very big place, but over the years, the operations of the service, the size of the service, and the scope of our mandates have really expanded. We needed a bigger and more conducive space,” he said.
He commended Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, for providing the land for the project, noting that over 50 hectares had been secured for the development.
The CG also paid tribute to his predecessor for initiating the project and ensuring the acquisition of the land.
He revealed that the newly commissioned Federal Operations Unit facility at the site is ready for occupation, with furnishing and installation of operational equipment already completed, including a modern armoury.
In addition, a warehouse opposite the facility will complement existing storage infrastructure, including those near the aviation corridor.
On the role of Customs at the newly commissioned cargo airport in Ogun State, the CG said officers are already deployed and actively carrying out their duties.
“Our officers are already there both in the terminal building and in cargo operations. We were part of the process when the first cargo was handled,” he said.
He added that the state government had engaged extensively with the Customs Service to meet operational requirements, expressing confidence that the airport has adequate space for full Customs operations as cargo and international flights commence.
The Customs Village project is expected to significantly enhance operational efficiency, improve logistics, and support Nigeria’s growing trade and aviation sectors once completed.
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