Customs

High revenue yield at Apapa customs command excites Adeniyi

— charges Olomu to sustain momentum

Funso OLOJO

The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, has expressed undisguised excitement at the high revenue collection at the Apapa command of the Nigeria Customs Service in 2024.

Adeniyi therefore commended the Area controller of the command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu and charged him to sustain the tempo in the coming year without compromising trade facilitation and compliance of traders.

The CGC ,who said this in Apapa on Friday December 13, 2024 at the command’s end of the year party and award ceremony, also harped on the need for compliance and synergies as necessary strategies to greater productivity at the port.

It could be recalled that Apapa command, in an unprecedented manner, garnered over N2.2 trillion revenue before the close of 2024.

Adeniyi however advised the command not to compromise on enforcement of compliance of trading public with the customs guidelines on goods clearance.

Represented by Deputy Comptroller General Caroline Niagwan, DCG Tariff and Trade, Adeniyi congratulated the Customs Area Controller and all the officers and men of Apapa Area Command for the milestone achieved in revenue collection which has earned the command multiple accolades

“It is with immense pleasure that I stand before you today to celebrate a shared commitment to compliance and excellence in trade.

*This award ceremony is a testament to your dedication to ethical business practices, adherence to regulations, and unwavering support for the principles that drive Nigeria’s economic growth.

“Compliance is not merely a requirement; it is a competitive advantage. It fosters transparency, reduces operational risks, and strengthens the trust between businesses and regulatory authorities.

“It also positions compliant stakeholders to enjoy streamlined processes, faster clearance times, and access to the numerous benefits that come with being recognized as trusted trade partners.

“As a Service, we understand that sustaining compliance can sometimes require capacity building, especially as global trade evolves.

“To this end, the Service is committed to providing the necessary training, technical assistance, and partnerships that will empower you with the knowledge and tools to maintain this high standard.

“Our goal is to ensure that every stakeholder remains competitive,innovative, and aligned with global best practices.

“By working together, we can unlock even greater opportunities for growth.

*Compliant stakeholders not only contribute to national revenue but also drive economic development, attract foreign investments, and enhance Nigeria’s position in international trade” Adeniyi said

In his welcome speech, Comptroller Olomu expressed appreciation to the CGC and the customs management team for always providing the direction and inspiration to the command in its drive to meet government’s expectations .

He described the end of year party as many things rolled up in one as it strengthens the stakeholders bond as a community of government and private sector collaborators working together for the betterment of Nigeria;

It is also to celebrate together as the year 2024 ends and honour those whose outstanding performances contributed in shaping the command’s achievements in 2024.

Comptroller Olomu said despite the challenges of low trade volume, the command is able to achieve it’s target which is a reflection of officers commitment and dedication to duty

He added that in line with the policy thrust of the CGC, the command utilised it’s relationship with stakeholders to achieve it’s goal this year.

According to him, improving on stakeholder engagement has become an operational template the Comptroller General of Customs has impressed on the officers and expressed joy to announce that it has proven to be a masterstroke towards enhanced compliance.

Comptroller Olomu said “Compliance is no doubt the bedrock of all customs achievements in areas of revenue collection, anti smuggling and legitimate trade facilitation.

“Our approach to regularly engage our sister government agencies has raised our degree of intelligence sharing towards a common national interest.

“Let me use this period to thank the NPA, DSS, NDLEA, NAQS,Port Health, Police, Immigration and other sister government agencies for their consistent collaboration in 2024.

“They are indeed an integral part of the command’s success story in 2024. I urge them to stay on board, let’s do it again in 2025.

“With our port users, we maintained regularly enlightenment meetings, faster trade dispute resolution mechanism and consistent appraisal of feedbacks to keep improving on our responsibilities.

“There have been positive fallouts of our regular interface with our stakeholders.

“This is evident in our collection of N2..2tr revenue and still counting, zeroing in on the minority that attempt smuggling by curbing their activities with seizures.

“We are fostering inclusivity and this will continue in 2025

“We have ensured no container , import or export consignment, goes through our control without due diligence of proper examination.

“This has been the foundation of our impeccable enforcement drive.

“We are honouring some of our officers and stakeholders for their outstanding performances in the year 2024 .

“I want to urge the awardees to see this as a call for more commitment to surpass their best outputs. There is no end to improvement

“This should also be a challenge to those who didn’t make the award list this time, I urge them to keep improving with a promise that their inputs shall not go unnoticed for due recognition” he concluded

Among those recognised with various awards are APM Terminals, Sifax Group, ENL Consortium, Dangote, Talod Ocean Airfreight and Princess Chi Ezeh the CEO of Munah Sylva Nigeria Limited

The command also recognised serving and retired officers for their contributions to it’s overall successes in 2024

Customs

Adeniyi reaffirms commitment to deepen officers’ knowledge in new global customs administration

Gloria Odion

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the Service’s strategic commitment to continuous capacity building.

This was made known during the graduation ceremony of the Senior Executive Course in Complex Customs Operations, held on Friday, 11 July 2025, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos.

Speaking at the event, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) described the training as “a different level” of professional development to equip senior officers to confront new global trade, security, and customs administration challenges.

“We have structures for basic training, refresher courses, and command and staff college programmes, but this is a different level.

“With trainings like this, we expose our officers to global best practices, the dynamics in international trade, and how it affects their job on a day-to-day basis”, he stated.

He noted that the programme would undergo a thorough review before launching a second batch, emphasising curriculum evaluation and operational feedback.

“We will do some evaluation. We will assess what worked, what didn’t work during the course, and what components we can add or subtract.

“So that will determine, actually, when we can do the second batch.”

“As for participants, the first graduates, these are accomplished customs officers.

“They are the future of the service. I expect they will be ambassadors of positive changes in the service,” he added.

The Director-General of the NIIA, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, commended the Service for investing in its human capital and highlighted the initiative’s broader implications for national development.

“This is not just for the participants; it’s for the Service. The CGC has just been elected as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), acknowledging what the Service stands for.

“So this is part of the process of strengthening the capacity of the NCS for better delivery, especially in the light of the more complex and increasingly more challenging circumstances under which they have to operate”, he said.

Participants expressed gratitude to the NCS leadership for the opportunity to broaden their expertise.

Customs

Shippers’ Council partners Customs to facilitate cross- border trade

Gloria Odion

In its continued efforts to promote efficient cross-border trade and foster inter-agency collaboration, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) recently paid a working visit to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Command at Idiroko Border, Ogun State.

The visit was led by Ms. Adaora Nwonu, Deputy Director, Trade Services, who represented the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Council, Pius Akutah .

She was received by Comptroller G. Otunla, Area Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service at the Idiroko Command.

The engagement focused on strengthening operational ties, identifying joint strategies to address barriers to trade, and reinforcing ethical practices along the corridor.

Discussions also explored the role of both agencies in streamlining border processes and supporting the Federal Government’s goal of boosting regional commerce.

Ms. Nwonu reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to enhancing collaboration with the Customs Service to advance cross-border trade facilitation and promote economic development.

“The Nigerian Shippers’ Council remains committed to supporting Customs and other border agencies in creating a seamless trade environment.

” We are here to deepen this relationship and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic growth,” she stated.

Comptroller Otunla appreciated the Council’s active role in promoting trade facilitation across Nigeria.

He noted that Customs remains open to collaboration with the NSC and other stakeholders to ensure the smooth movement of goods, curb smuggling, and foster transparency at border points.

As part of the visit, the Comptroller led the NSC delegation on a facility tour, including an inspection of the office space allocated to the Council for its proposed Border Information Centre—a strategic initiative aimed at improving information flow, transparency, and compliance at the border.

The visit reinforces the NSC’s ongoing drive to engage with key actors in the trade and logistics chain and contribute to the development of a more efficient and accountable port and border ecosystem.

Aviation

Customs collaborates with FAAN to strengthen anti- money laundering at Nigeria’s Airports

Gloria Odion

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has expressed satisfaction with the collaborative efforts between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to strengthen Anti-money laundering (AML) mechanisms and enhance operational efficiency at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of a sports tournament organised by the Murtala Muhammed Area Command (MMAC) on Thursday, 10 July 2025, the CGC described his visit as both operational and productive.

“It’s meant to be an operational visit. We had very useful engagements with the management of the Federal Airport Authority, and the engagements were very concrete.

” Beneficial outcomes came out of it. We came to explore and assess the strategies that will be put in place to ensure that Nigeria is taken off the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force.”

He noted that several improvements were already implemented to reinforce compliance, particularly regarding passengers’ currency declaration obligations.

“I’m satisfied with the measures by FAAN and the Nigeria Customs Service. I’m also satisfied with the processes that we saw firsthand.

” Signages have been put in place, announcements are running regularly, and passengers are being reminded of their obligations to declare currency,” he stated.

Speaking on the sports tournament, the CGC commended MMAC for combining operational excellence with recreational activities.

“And what better way to end it with what we have seen here, an afternoon and evening of fun and entertainment”, he added.

Earlier, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Michael Awe, appreciated the CGC’s presence and highlighted the essence of the tournament.

“I can see all our sister agencies here, which is the unity we always discuss. For one to have mental alertness, there is a need for physical exercise to carry out one’s assignment.”

Comptroller Awe noted that the tournament, which began over two months ago, featured various games and created a platform for collaboration among Customs officers, sister agencies, and stakeholders.

The event united personnel from various agencies in a show of unity, reinforcing the role of physical fitness and inter-agency cooperation in enhancing national security and quality service delivery.