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Customs

Adeniyi tutors new customs Comptrollers on effective use of collaboration to achieve efficient service delivery

The Eyewitness Reporter 
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has tasked the newly promoted Comptrollers of Customs to embrace collaboration as a tool to deliver efficient service and build resilient service.
Declaring open a special retreat for this category of customs officers on Tuesday, 30 January 2024, at the Ahmad Makarfi Conference Hall of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC) Gwagwalada, Abuja, the CGC harped on the importance of collaboration with relevant stakeholders to build trust and robust relationships.
Adeniyi, whose three major agendas to improve the performance of NCS remain collaboration, consolidation, and innovation, described establishing strong mutual relationships with stakeholders as ‘important for NCS’, urging that they be carried along.
He expressed optimism that the Service can achieve great milestones by forming new collaborations, adding, “The service needs to work with other agencies of government to see the amazing revolution that we are seeing in the world.”
Speaking on the positive aspects of technology, CGC Adeniyi re-emphasized his standpoint on enhancing the Service’s standards technologically, adding, “There is so much going on in technology these days.
” If you compare the days when you joined the Service,  you will see that technology has changed many things.”
He said embracing a technological approach that relates to artificial intelligence and machine learning data analytics will enable the Customs Administration to explore areas that look extremely remote and advanced.
 Adeniyi reiterated the idea of leveraging technology in the Service’s plans to curb smuggling across Nigeria, stating that “with the established restriction on the importation of rice, it means we have a very critical responsibility to ensure that we do not allow the act because that speaks to the issue of food security.’’
The CGC, who earlier declared the retreat open for the newly promoted Comptrollers, harped on the Service’s commitment to introduce initiatives that promote trade facilitation by conducting valid scientific studies on the business environment.
He said the initiative will significantly contribute to the realization of objectives and the commitment to advancing regional cooperation and integration.
He emphasized that the initiative will positively impact fostering economic prosperity across the African continent as the Service sets to implement the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.
“As we refine procedures, strengthen compliance mechanisms, propose transparency, and outline a strategic consolidation policy without revision, evaluating entry by small and medium enterprises becomes a cornerstone of our economy” he declared.
The Commander Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), DCG Sa’idu Galadima, applauded the Comptroller-General of Customs for gracing the opening ceremony of the retreat.
DCG Galadima described the retreat as another chance to bring together officers of like minds with the aim of refreshing memories on Customs procedures, management, and contemporary issues.
He said, “We are here to share knowledge amongst ourselves to build a better Nigeria Customs Service. Therefore, the efforts that the CGC is exerting towards equipping officers and men of the service with the technical know-how on the work is highly commendable.’’
DCG Galadima, however, took the initiative to engage Comptrollers in a brainstorming session on the major agenda set by the Comptroller-General of Customs.
He expressed optimism that, by the end of the day, a comprehensive blueprint would emerge, showcasing the participants’ commitment to the CGC’s innovative agenda.
Earlier, the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, CSC Abdullahi Maiwada, presented a paper on Stakeholders Management, Media Community, and Employee Relationship.
PRO Maiwada took the newly promoted Comptrollers through various strategies on how Commands and Formations of the Nigeria Customs Service across the Federation can relate to media and members of the public.
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Customs

Seme Customs in revenue windfall as it collects N3.5 billion in February.

Funso OLOJO,Editor 
The Seme command of the Nigeria Customs Service has continued to sustain its revenue momentious
trajectory under the leadership of its Area Controller, Comptroller Wale Adenuga.
According to revenue statistics made available to our reporter by the command, it has garnered a princely sum of N3,480,970,924.67 in revenue for the month of February 2026, with the month still ongoing.
Comptroller Adenuga made this disclosure during an interactive session at a stakeholders’ engagement meeting with cross-border traders ,farmers and stakeholders organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Agricultural Trade Programme and GIZ International.
The event, held in Badagry on Wednesday, February 25th, 2026, was themed “Empowering Cross-Border Traders through Trade Information Desk for Agricultural Traders”.
Comptroller Adenuga noted the revenue figure represents a remarkable improvement over the N743,698,652.16 recorded in February 2025 which he attributed to the seamless trade facilitation process adopted at the Command.
 “For this February that has not yet ended, we have already generated N3,480,970,924.67 as against N743,698,652.16 revenue generated in February 2025″ Adenuga told the stakeholders.
He said the feat was a reflection of
the flow of trade which he believed was getting better as people are building greater confidence in the Seme–Krake corridor.
Comptroller Adenuga assured traders and stakeholders that the significant reduction in checkpoints along the Seme–Gbaji axis is the direct result of strong collaborative efforts with other security agencies operating within the corridor.
 He disclosed that only Agbara and Gbaji remain the officially Customs approved and sanctioned checkpoints along this Lagos-Abidjan corridor.
The Customs Chief further attributed the noticeable decline in crime rates along the Seme-Gbaji axis to the positive outcomes of monthly joint border security meetings involving all agencies at the border post.
These regular inter-agency engagements, according to him, have strengthened better cooperation, improved intelligence sharing and more effective responses to security challenges, thereby creating a safer and more enabling environment for cross-border trade.
Adenuga declared that while revenue generation and trade facilitation remain key priorities, the Command’s mandate extends firmly to combating illicit activities.
The CAC highlighted recent enforcement successes, including the interception of a Toyota Highlander vehicle conveying 22 packages of cocaine with an estimated street value exceeding N1 billion, a feat he claimed was made possible based on very  credible information shared by the CGC.
In addition, during February 2026 alone, the Command has seized 1,000 bags of 50kg parboiled rice, underscoring its unwavering commitment to suppressing smuggling and protecting Nigeria’s economic borders.
Comptroller Adenuga reiterated the vigilance and commitment of the operatives of the Command in working closely with stakeholders, traders, farmers, sister security agencies and regional partners to improve the momentum of trade and security along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.
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Customs

Apapa Customs, Navy deepen partnership for seamless cargo movement along Apapa port corridor 

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter 
The Customs Area Controller (CAC),
Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, has solicited sustained support of the Western Naval Command to ensure seamless cargo movement along the Apapa port corridor.
Comptroller Oshoba made the call on  Wednesday, February 25th, 2026, while on a courtesy visit to Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command.
The visit was meant to deepen operational collaboration in line with the three policy thrusts of Consolidation, Collaboration and Innovation of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
Speaking during the visit, the CAC stated: “The CGC has three key policy thrusts.
” The first is consolidation. On assuming duty, I resolved to consolidate on the gains already achieved and improve the existing relationship between Apapa Command and the Nigerian Navy within this axis.”
On collaboration, he noted that modern border management requires agencies to work in tandem, adding: “While Customs is known for trade facilitation and revenue generation, we also perform critical security functions.
“To achieve this mandate, we must collaborate with the military, the mother of security.”
On innovation, he added: “Innovation is doing things differently to achieve better results and strengthening inter-agency cooperation is part of that approach.”
He appreciated the Navy for securing Nigeria’s waters, stating: “No vessel can come into the country without safe waters.
” We commend you for keeping the maritime environment secure.”
In his response, Rear Admiral Mustapha acknowledged the longstanding partnership between both agencies, emphasizing: “Port security is about inter-agency and coordination. Without security, there is no development.”
He commended the Service under CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi for its performance, noting: “The Customs has done exceptionally well in blocking revenue leakages and surpassing national revenue targets.
“Continue what you are doing; with more revenue, there will be more infrastructure and social safety network for the country.”
The FOC assured the Command of improved and seamless cooperation in securing the maritime domain and supporting national economic growth.
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Customs

Customs automates acquisition, renewal of licenses, permits to enhance efficiency, revenue boost.

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
In order to consolidate the automation of its operations, the Nigeria Customs Service, has concluded preparations to automate the process of Licenses, Permits acquisition and renewal.
To achieve this landmark initiative, the Service has trained  its bond officers of various area commands who will drive the process.
While unveiling the automation process to stakeholders in Lagos on Monday, February 23rd, 2026, the Comptroller – General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi said the initiative was driven by the desire of the Customs management to make licenses and permits acquisition and renewal less cumbersome, promote ease of doing business and boost revenue generation.
CGC Adeniyi, who was represented by Comptroller NJ Anozie, further expanded the benefits of the automation process.
“Automation will save importers, clearing and forwarding agents the stress of acquiring or renewing their Licenses and Permits as they would be sitting in the comfort of their offices/homes to initiate and complete the process.
“Officers and  men of License and Permit Unit, the bond seat unit of various Commands will also be saved some stress, as all their responsibilities would just be ‘clicks’ on the systems in front of their desks, as opposed to carrying loads of files from one table to another and from one office to the other.
“Automation will cut the cost of doing business and minimize movement risks for our stakeholders.
“They would no longer be jumping on buses or flights to and fro Customs Headquarters-Abuja, paying hotel bills plus feeding for days, to obtain or renew their licenses and permits.
“Automation will minimize, if not eradicate fraudulent practices in the system, as every single document that is uploaded in the course of this process will be automatically rejected by default, if it is fake and accepted if it is genuine.
 “L&P can now view assessments through the B’Odogwu to be sure that any company applying for fresh or renewal of licences or permits is not having unpaid assessments hanging on it”
The Customs boss said he was poised to sanitize the system and urged the Licences and Permits unit of the Service to be passionate in driving this initiative.
He further disclosed that the automation process will save the importers and their agents time and money which they normally expended in manual process.
Adeniyi urged the stakeholders to take advantage of this new initiative, assuring them that they would adequately be guided on how to key into the system by the bond officers who have already been trained.
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