Nigeria Customs Service is a paramilitary organization. The scope of it's work covers mobile patrol the border, enforcement of import and export prohibition orders, excise control over locally manufactured goods and general security duties. In order to carry out these aforementioned assignment, officers of the service are continually trained and retrained in football drills, weaponry, investigation and detective programs and computer appreciation. The goals of the service are:

1. Collection of maximum duties due on all durable imports, selected exports and all excusable items. They also collect fines and penalties.
2. Enforcement of import and export prohibition orders by way of patrols, detection, investigation and prosecution.