Manny Ita –
The House of Representatives has commenced a series of oversight sessions with key revenue-generating agencies of the federal government, scrutinising their performance and the implementation of fiscal policies considered critical to national income.
On Tuesday, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) appeared before the House Committee on Finance to defend their revenue records and address discrepancies in projections and data management.
The committee, chaired by James Faleke (APC, Lagos), said the exercise is part of efforts to strengthen accountability, enhance internal controls, and ensure that all revenues due to the federal government are properly remitted.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, told lawmakers that certain revenue lines captured in the budget had not been implemented, resulting in gaps between projected and actual collections. He disclosed that about ₦3 trillion expected from excise duties on selected products, including reusable plastics (PSP), soft drinks, and telecommunications products such as recharge cards, remains uncollected.
According to Mr Adeniyi, the measures were suspended shortly after introduction following public complaints. “There is still a hanging issue regarding the Finance Act,” he said. “Collection on PSP, excise on soft drinks and similar products, and telecom duties have not been done yet. If fiscal policy remains the same, we cannot project revenue from items whose collection is suspended.”
When asked whether the matter had been escalated to the president, Mr Adeniyi responded, “We do not make a case to the president. If policies are hanging, it is for us to implement them.”
Lawmakers advised the Customs chief to formally write to the finance committee chairman and the NCS leadership on the pending revenue items to clarify the agency’s position.
Earlier, the committee suspended the defence of the CAC after its Registrar-General, Hussaini Magaji, failed to provide data on the total number of registered companies in the country. Members expressed concern over the inability of the agency’s head to present accurate figures from its database.
A member of the committee, Stanley Adedeji (PDP, Oyo), described the presentation as unsatisfactory and moved a motion to adjourn proceedings until comprehensive records are made available. “This man is not competent to handle this agency,” Mr Adedeji said. “You should not stand before us without factual records. If you cannot speak accurately, we should step you down and summon you on another day.”
The motion was unanimously adopted, and the Registrar-General was directed to reappear next Tuesday with detailed and verifiable information on company registrations and the commission’s revenue profile. During his initial presentation, Mr Magaji had outlined revenue streams from company incorporations, business name registrations, annual returns, certified true copies, compliance enforcement, and accreditation fees, but inconsistencies in the figures raised further doubts among lawmakers.
Also appearing before the committee, FAAN Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Olubunmi Kuku, outlined the authority’s plan to enforce electronic payment systems across all airports as part of efforts to curb revenue leakages.
Ms Kuku said the initiative aligns with the federal government’s fiscal reform agenda aimed at improving internally generated revenue and enhancing transparency. “This initiative is about accountability and sustainability,” she said. “We are ensuring that every kobo due to the federal government is collected while improving operational efficiency.”
She explained that the transition to a cashless regime began with sensitisation campaigns, advertisements, and stakeholder engagement in mid-2025. Although she acknowledged initial congestion at some airport toll gates, she described the situation as temporary as users adjust to electronic payment options.
According to her, FAAN currently provides four payment options at airport tolls: annual e-tags for frequent users, VIP stickers, personal bank ATM cards including contactless or NFC-enabled cards, and FAAN-issued cashless cards obtainable at airports or partner banks. She added that widely used domestic cards, including Verve, are compatible with the system.
Ms Kuku maintained that improved revenue capture would enhance service delivery, support infrastructure maintenance, and accelerate airport modernisation projects nationwide.
