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Customs

Ember months: Cargothrouput slumps by 40 percent at Nigerian ports

—- Customs laments

—-Importers stop importation
The Eyewitness News investigation
The high frequency of importation and goods clearance activities which characterise port operations during the festive period of December has virtually disappeared from the Lagos ports.
Extensive investigations conducted by our reporter confirmed the general apathy among Nigerian importers to ship goods into the country during this year’s yuletide period.
Long rows of vessels on anchorage waiting to discharge their cargo which is a common sight at this period of time at the ports are absent.
The international liners which normally made two to three visits to the Lagos ports in months could hardly get cargo, thus reducing their voyage to the ports to avoid wastage.
Sources close to these shipping companies such as Maersline, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), China Cosco, CMA CGM Group, Hapag – Lloyd, Ocean Network Express (ONE), Evergreen Marine Corporation claimed that each of these liners has lost between 10 percent to 20 percent cargo due to non-patronage.
Sources close to the Customs, who confirmed this development, attributed the lull to a number of factors.
According to sources, the Ukraine/ Russian war, the ravaging COVID-19 in China, unfavorable Customs policies, Naira depreciation, High exchange rate and the recent naira redesigning have all combined to castrate the financial power of most Nigerian importers.
A highly placed source in the Customs explained how each of these factors imparted goods importation to Nigeria.
According to him, the Ukraine-Russian war has affected ship voyages as no shipping company would want its vessels caught in the ongoing crossfire between the two European countries.
Also, the Black sea shipping route, which is within the war zone, accounts for the sea route that about 90 percent of vessels take to reach their destinations in the world, including Nigeria.
This, the source said, has reduced the number of vessels calling at the Port during this period.
Also, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the maritime industry has seen an increase in global demand and the cost of shipping.
Most countries, including Nigeria, have come to rely on some of the goods from Ukraine and Russia such as grains, iron, and steel etc.
This has placed Maritime transport infrastructure and services under pressure due to the need for alternative trade routes for Ukrainian goods.

The tone of the global trading and shipping environment has been characterised by uncertainty as a result.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) acknowledged the disruption of regional logistics, halted port operations in Ukraine, the destruction of infrastructure, trade restrictions, increased insurance costs and higher fuel prices as causes of issues within the Black Sea region.

Jan Hoffmann , Head of Trade Logistics branch at UNCTAD, says: “The war in Ukraine impressively shows again how globalised the shipping business is: Shifts in demand in one corner of the world lead to changes in prices and fleet deployment in many other corners of the world.

“What I find most interesting of our findings is that almost half of the increase in global food prices is due to the higher shipping costs.

“And these are higher  because goods have to travel longer distances, i.e. we have more ton-miles, but also  each ton-mile is now more expansive, because of a shortage of global shipping capacity.”

In 2020, grain prices and shipping costs were already increasing and the Ukraine conflict has accelerated this trend.

According to UNCTAD, between February and May 2022, the price of dry bulk goods transportation had risen by around 60%.

Around 36 countries import over 50% of their wheat from the Russian Federation and Ukraine and global sea exports of grain are expected to decline by 3.8% this year while global shipments of fertiliser decline by 7%.

“Black Sea ports normally account for over 90% of Ukrainian overseas grain shipments, weekly port calls have dropped from 60 to almost zero in Ukraine due to the conflict”

In addition, the high dollar exchange rates to the Naira as well as the high Customs exchange rate for goods clearance have all impacted the purchasing powers of Nigerian importers.

It could be recalled that for yet another time in September, the Customs exchange rate was jerked up from $409 to $422.3, an increment of $13.3.

” Also the recent naira redesigning policy of the government and the coming elections in the country have all created an atmosphere of uncertainty among importers who prefer to stop importation until after the elections when there would be some sort of clarity, and stability in government economic policies,” a source said.

This lull has therefore put pressure on the men and officers of the Nigeria Customs Service to meet their revenue targets amidst sluggish importation.

”We are under pressure to rake in more revenue for the government despite low imports.

“This is because the revenue from the Customer has become a financial mainstay for the government which now relies on Customs to fund some of its recurrent expenditure, especially payment of salaries for workers” a highly placed source declared.

“To cushion the effects which the lull in importation may have on our revenue generation, we have to tighten the noose by plugging all the revenue loopholes to generate maximum revenue”

” Some of the areas where we hitherto overlook by giving the importers and their agents a breathing space to operate have now been tightened up for maximum revenue collection” a customs source declared.

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Customs

Apapa Customs records major breakthrough in anti- smuggling operations.

– intercepts 13 containers of harmful pharmaceuticals, other contraband goods worth N6.38billion
Funso OLOJO, Editor 
The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a huge success in its relentless war against traders of illicit products when its officers intercepted 13 containers of harmful pharmaceuticals and other contraband goods.
Unveiling the contraband goods at the APM Terminals,Apapa port on Tuesday, March 10th, 2026, the Comptroller- General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed that the intercepted consignments are worth over N6.38 billion.
Adeniyi, while speaking with Journalists, revealed that the interception and seizures were made possible through intelligence-driven operations supported by cargo scanning technology and targeted physical examination.
He explained that officers detected irregular cargo profiles during routine scanning procedures, prompting detailed physical inspections that uncovered several prohibited and falsely declared consignments.
According to him, among the seizures was a 40-foot container loaded with expired pharmaceutical products, including Mixagrip Cold Caplets, Ladinax tablets, Chloroquine injections and Diclofenac tablets.
Customs officers also intercepted two 40-foot containers filled with unregistered pharmaceutical products, including Hyegra 200 and Sildenafil Citrate.
In another discovery, a 20-foot container carrying 800 cartons of codeine was found carefully concealed inside toilet flushing cisterns and sanitary ware.
Other pharmaceutical seizures included cartons of Artesunate injections, while a separate container was discovered to contain restricted security equipment such as bulletproof vests, helmets, walkie-talkies and tactical torches imported without the required End User Certificates.
The Service also uncovered multiple containers loaded with expired food items, including muffin cookies, 36,000 cans of expired energy drinks, and large quantities of expired tomato paste brands.
In addition, officers seized a 40-foot container containing 1,700 cartons of codeine cough syrup concealed among luxury food flasks.
Another container was found carrying 1,575 cartons of CSMIX with codeine hidden with electric kettles, alongside additional cartons of Co-codamol tablets.
Customs further intercepted 13 jumbo bags of Cannabis Sativa weighing 347.57 kilograms, which were concealed inside a Toyota Sienna vehicle.
Adeniyi described the seizures as a major breakthrough in the Service’s ongoing crackdown on illicit trade and smuggling through Nigeria’s seaports.
He warned that the importation of expired drugs and controlled substances poses serious risks to public health, while the smuggling of codeine-based products contributes to the growing problem of substance abuse.
The Comptroller-General emphasized that under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the seized goods are liable to outright forfeiture, adding that investigations are ongoing and all persons connected to the shipments will face prosecution.
He also stressed that the Service is expanding the use of Non-Intrusive Inspection (cargo scanning) to improve cargo clearance efficiency while strengthening enforcement against high-risk consignments.
According to him, Apapa Port processes thousands of containers daily, making it one of the most strategic trade gateways in West Africa.
“Apapa Port is no longer a playground for smugglers or criminal syndicates hiding behind legitimate trade documentation,” Adeniyi stated.
He assured compliant traders that Customs enforcement is not aimed at legitimate business but at protecting Nigeria’s economy and citizens from dangerous and illegal imports.
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Customs

Dera Nnadi bows out of Customs in a blaze of glory 

Geraldine Samuel, Reporter 
Dera Nnadi, a Deputy Comptroller- General of Customs(rtd), has dropped anchor of service in the Nigeria Customs and graceful bowed out of the agency in a blaze of glory.
In a commemorative retirement ceremony conducted by his appreciative colleagues at the Customs’ Headquarters, Abuja on March 3rd, 2026, Nnadi was pulled out of the Service he has diligently served amidst glowing tributes.
Incidentally, his pull- out ceremony coincided with his 60th birthday.
Leading the management staff, men and officers of the service in paying moving tributes to the retiring Nnadi was the Comptroller- General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who described DCG(rtd) Nnadi as an exemplary officer whose professionalism, discipline, and commitment to duty significantly strengthened the values and operational effectiveness of the NCS.
According to the CGC, the retirement ceremony provided an opportunity not only to celebrate a successful career but also to appreciate the sacrifices and dedication of officers who devote their lives to safeguarding the nation’s economic and border security interests.
 He noted that Nnadi’s career reflects the core ideals of the Nigeria Customs Service, particularly in leadership, revenue generation and trade facilitation.
“Today is a moment of celebration and reflection. It is also an opportunity for us to thank Almighty God for the grace that has sustained our colleague throughout his years of service,” the CGC said.
The CGC also highlighted the personal and professional bond he shares with the retiree, noting that their relationship extends beyond official duties to family ties.
 He expressed confidence that DCG Nnadi still possesses the energy and experience to continue contributing meaningfully to national development through academic and other professional engagements.
Members of the Service’s management team also paid glowing tributes to the retired DCG, commending his leadership qualities, integrity and mentorship.
 Officers who served under him described him as a dependable leader who provided guidance and encouragement to younger personnel while strengthening the Service’s institutional capacity.
Responding to the honour, DCG Dera Nnadi (Rtd) expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, the management team, officers and Men of the Service for their support and cooperation throughout his career.
He described his years in the NCS as a fulfilling journey of growth, learning and service to the nation.
The ceremony featured the presentation of awards, gift items and commemorative photographs in honour of the distinguished officer.
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Customs

Customs takes charge of implementation of National Single Window project 

– rallies stakeholders for successful take-off 
Funso OLOJO, Editor 
As the preparations for the official launch of National Single Window(NSW) project on March 27th, 2026 gather momentum, the Nigeria Customs service may have been designated as the lead agency to drive the modernisation project.
This much was confirmed by the Director of the Project, Tola Fakolade who  acknowledged the pivotal leadership of the NCS in the implementation process.
At one of the stakeholders sensitisation programmes in Abuja on March 3rd, 2026, Fakolade declared “Our number one stakeholder is the NCS,”
“We have maintained a strong and constructive working relationship.
Customs’ participation and institutional experience are critical to the success of this project.” the project coordinator confirmed.
Confirming the lead role of the NCS, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT and Modernisation, DCG Oluyomi Adebakin, described the NSW as a major milestone in the Service’s ongoing modernisation drive.
She revealed that the NCS has been actively engaged in preparatory work for months to ensure that the framework being developed reflects operational realities and supports seamless implementation.
“This is a national project, but Customs is at the centre of its execution,” DCG Adebakin said.
 “The success of the Single Window depends on collective understanding and cooperation. We must all appreciate its value because we cannot effectively promote what we do not fully understand.”
She reassured officers and stakeholders that the initiative is designed to strengthen institutional capacity rather than replace human resources, explaining that technology will enhance efficiency, transparency, and speed in cargo clearance and trade documentation processes.
Reaffirming the critical role of the service in the implementation of the NSW project, the Comptroller- General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the Abuja stakeholders engagement with airlines and shipping companies held on March 4th, 2026, emphasised the importance of collaboration in ensuring the successful rollout of the initiative.
He noted that the support of critical stakeholders has played a significant role in the achievements recorded in the Service’s modernisation journey so far.
Adeniyi disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated the Service to take a bold step forward towards a successful launch of the National Single Window, a move aimed at positioning Nigeria as a major player in global trade.
 He added that airline and shipping line operators remain vital partners in ensuring a seamless transition to the new system.
He further assured stakeholders that adequate support structures are being put in place to ease the migration process.
“A help desk with well-trained personnel will be available to address any operational challenges that may arise during the rollout”, the Comptroller-General stated.
The NCS described  the National Single Window as a strategic reform that aligns with Customs’ mandate of trade facilitation, revenue generation, and inter-agency coordination.
With the NCS spearheading coordination and stakeholder engagement, the NSW project is expected to transform Nigeria’s trade environment, enhance revenue generation, and strengthen the country’s position in the global trading community.
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