Customs

KLT Customs laments low volume of trade at the command

— seeks assistance of ANLCA to market the underutilized facility

Funso OLOJO

The Area Controller of Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command of the Nigeria customs service, Comptroller Joy Edelduok has made a passionate appeal to the leadership of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) to assist in reviving the struggling command by marketing the terminal to importers for patronage.

This appeal follows the lamentation of Comptroller Edelduok that importers have abandoned the terminal which has resulted to low activities and miserly revenue.

The Customs’ chief was addressing the leadership of ANLCA, led by its National President, who was in her office to introduce the newly elected KLT chapter executives of the association led by Ahmed Olajide.

Comptroller Edelduok told his guests that out of 13 bonded warehouses under the control of the KLT customs command, few are functional as the rest are moribund, struggling for survival.

This, the Customs Controller said ,was responsible for the megre sum of N38 billion revenue collected in the first quarter of 2025, an amount collected by Apapa customs command in two days.

She therefore begged for the intervention of the ANLCA leadership to talk to their Importers for patronage.

According to her, without the active participation of ANLCA and other stakeholders, the Customs would not be able to achieve its target.

“I want to say that without the active participation of our stakeholders, the agents, the associations, i’m not sure we’ll be able to achieve our revenue goals.

“So, i want to say thank you for the cooperation we’ve had thus far.

“And coming today, i want to make an appeal for continued cooperation, continued collaboration, which is one of the main policy thrusts of our CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi”

Comptroller Edelduok acknowledged the importance of the role ANLCA plays at the command, even as she pledged a better working relationship with the new Executives of KLT Chapter led by its Chairman, Ahmed Olajide Bello.

On trade facilitation, Compt Edelduok appealed to the ANLCA team to canvass their importers to make use of KLT command as Port of destination, assuring of 24 -hour cargo delivery.

She also urged the agents and importers to make genuine and honest declarations at all times, in order to ensure faster cargo clearance.

“I want to make an appeal, we know that you are the ones that interface with your importers, we don’t know your importers, you are the ones that we know, so you are the ones that will take the word back to them to bring their consignment to KLT” she said.

Also speaking, ANLCA President, Emenike Nwokeoji, introduced his KLT executives to the Customs Comptroller, saying that the association has returned to take its pride of place after suffering a five years internal crisis in 2018.

“We are here to introduce to you our new executives of the chapter, we have gone through some issues in ANLCA for some years since 2018, through the intervention of the CGC, we are now one big united family.

” The ANLCA you used to know is back, and we have taken black our rightful place” he said

Emenike assured the customs boss that the association would embark on a Crusade and champion the movement of cargoes to KLT Command, even as he commended the leadership style of the Comptroller.

“Our duty is to market commands, you cannot talk to the importers, no matter what you tell them, the importer would listen to us more than you.

“We have been on the issue of transire for a very long time, it is unfortunate that it is an internal issue between the officers of Customs.

“If you as next door neighbour to the ports are complaining, you can imagine what the inland terminals are going through on this transire.

“The importer has rights to dictate where his cargo should go to, you cannot impose it on him.

“For an importer or agent to choose a particular port, there must be something they are getting there. In this our business, speed of clearance is important, whoever enters the market first would determine price before others.

” Please keep up the good work you are doing at the command”

“Trade facilitation is important, everything should not be about revenue.

” If infraction is something you can overlook, please overlook it and caution the agent.

“The officers should please take it easy with an average agent, we are going through a whole lot” he appealed

On the aspect of making honest declarations, the ANLCA President pledged to continue sensitising agents and importers across board on the need to ensure honest declarations.

“The speed of the Cargo clearance cannot be what it ought to be if the declaration is not right, we are sensitising our importers and members on the need to always make honest declarations” he said

Speaking in the same vein, the Vice National President of ANLCA, Prince Segun Oduntan,assured the KLT Customs boss that the association would now put efforts in ensuring that containers are stemmed to the command.

“On the stemming of containers to this command, we are going to put our own effort into it.

“As per the issue of delays in transires, since you have assured us, I can now tell my importer to use KLT, let us try them out, even if it is with ten containers.

“After this, we would continue to tell others.

“The atmosphere here is very good, when you have women in management positions, we believe things go better. As we step out of here today, we would do more to assist you” he said

Speaking when the visitation train moved to the KLT Chapter Secretariat, the chapter Chairman, Ahmed Olajide Bello, appreciated the ANLCA President for his unwavering support and leadership, adding that “Your presence here today underscores the importance of this chapter to the broader ANLCA vision.

“To our esteemed stakeholders and our members, we appreciate your collaboration and we look forward to strengthen our participation for smoother trade facilitation at KLT Chapter

“To our terminal operators and government agencies, your role in port operations is indispensable and we are committed to fostering an harmonious working relationship with you all.

“This new executive is aware of the responsibilities before us, our mission is to clear, promote trade efficiency, compliances, and stakeholder collaboration at KLT terminal.

“With your support, we are confident of achieving remarkable progress” Olajide stated.

Addressing members at the Secretariat, the ANLCA National President, Emenike Nwokeoji also urged the members to work together in peace and support the new Executives, adding that no leader can function beyond the support given to him by members.

“I have no doubt that Ahmed Olajide Bello and his team would leave a mark at this chapter, and at the end of their tenure, you would even plead with them to stay longer.

“Please, count on our support, one of the support we would give you, is to get a Secretariat that is befitting of a 71- year old association that ANLCA is”

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.

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.

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.