Customs

Customs bans bonded terminals from receiving Pharmaceutical products

— accuses operators of abuse , complicit

— intercepts 25 containers of illicit drugs at Apapa port

Funso OLOJO Gloria Odion

The Nigeria Customs Service has forthwith stopped pharmaceuticals products from being stemmed into bonded terminals.

The decision was taken to stop the abuse of terminal operators who are said to have been found complicit in some of the seizures made of fake and unregistered pharmaceuticals products.

According to Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of Customs, make this declaration on Friday, July 11th, 2025 at the enforcement unit of Apapa port command while handing over 25 containers of seized illicit pharmaceuticals products to the NAFDAC.

Adewale disclosed that to ensure close scrutiny of the import of these regulated products, the Customs initially designated Apapa port, Onne port and the Airport command as the only entry points for these products.

He however said the PTML command has been lately added to the list of entry points.

The CGC warned that no other port is allowed to take reception of pharmaceuticals products due to their sensitivity nature.

He attributed the soaring success of the Customs in the interdictions of illicit phamacitical products in recent times to the collaboration with the NAFDAC which was consummated with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding(MoU).

” This kind of inter-agency collaboration and intelligence sharing have been central to our enforcement strategy”

” The agreement framework, the MOU framework, enables and NAFDAC to conduct coordinated operations and joint investigations systematically tracing illicit pharmaceutical sources and deploy targeted enforcement strategies against the criminal networks behind them”

” Today, we will formally hand over to NAFDAC a total of 25 containers laden with counterfeit medications, unregistered pharmaceutical products and prohibited substances, including preparations that pose imminent danger to public life.

“These seizures, with a combined aggregate duty paid value of 9,235,402,973 Naira, represent a sophisticated network of criminal enterprises that deliberately exploit regulatory gaps to compromise our national security.

“A detailed breakdown of these seizures reveals disturbing patterns of misdeclaration and systematic attempts to circumvent established import protocols.

“The containers comprise 21 40-foot containers and four 20-foot containers containing predominantly unregistered pharmaceutical products, including sexual enhancement drugs such as Rexone and Hydra products, codeine-containing cough syrups, including CSE brands,antibiotic injections like oxytetrazolamine and apnesumate, pain relief medications containing diethyl medicants such as paracetamol, skin-lightening creams marketed as all-purpose, nopollutionist, key-chemicals, hemolysis and breast-enlightenment products.

” These seizures include expired food products such as margarine and chocolate, pain relief medications including albedozol, bonus piglets, anti-malarial drugs like atepam, atequic, and consumer goods such as Sena soups, all of which reflect a sophisticated and diversified contraband portfolio that poses significant threats to public health, consumer safety, and regulatory integrity.

“The strategy we have developed with NAFDAC reflects strategic collaboration at its finest, with the Director-General of NAFDAC providing us critical intelligence, sometimes at midnight, about suspicious importation, intelligence that has proven decisive to our anti smoking operations.

“The coordination we are talking about, which has been facilitated by our MOU, enables swift responses to emerging threats”

” Under the coordination of the Office of the National Security Advisor, our joint operations have resulted in the seizure of over 200 containers, followed by four limited destruction exercises Lagos and Port Hacourt with unregistered pharmaceutical products comprising a whopping 63% of the seizure values.

” This highlights the scale of threats that could have been inflicted on human lives and our social ecosystem if we had permitted them to infiltrate our system”

The CGC however warned the perpetrators of this illicit trade to desist from it as the long arm of the law will catch up with them wherever they may be

” Let me once again use this opportunity to read the RIOT Act to all those of close elements and stakeholders within the international trade environment that the Nigerian Customs Service, in strategic partnership with our sister government agencies, will remain in an uncompromising stance to enforce regulatory compliance, which shall deploy all our full statutory powers of seizure,arrest, investigation and prosecution of suspects without hesitation or compromise”

” And furthermore, wherever it is discovered that other economic operators, like transport companies, haulage operators, bonded terminal owners, or any other facilitators, are found to be complicit in these illegal activities, such persons or companies will face the full wrath of the law.

“Our intelligence network and technological capabilities have been significantly enhanced to detect and intercept prohibited items, regardless of concealment methods or documentation” Adeniyi stated.

Customs

KLT Customs reaffirms commitment to stronger maritime stakeholder engagement

Deputy Comptroller Bolaji Adigun

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter
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‎The Acting Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Deputy Comptroller Bolaji Adigun, has reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to deepening engagement with stakeholders across the maritime industry in line with efforts to promote trade facilitation, transparency, and sustainable economic growth.
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‎Adigun gave the assurance through the Deputy Comptroller in charge of Administration, Comptroller T.A. Jonah, who represented him during a courtesy visit by the newly elected Executive Committee of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) to the Command in Lagos.
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‎The Acting CAC, who was unavoidably absent, underscored the importance of sustained collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and key industry stakeholders, particularly the maritime media, in advancing the Service’s mandate and supporting national economic development.
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‎He described the media as a critical partner in disseminating information on government policies, customs reforms, trade facilitation initiatives, revenue generation, and anti-smuggling operations.
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‎According to him, maritime journalists occupy a strategic position in shaping public understanding and perception of activities within the port and maritime sector, stressing the need for professionalism, accuracy, and balanced reportage in the discharge of their duties.
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‎Adigun further assured the MARAN delegation that the KLT Area Command would continue to operate an open-door policy while fostering cordial and productive relationships with stakeholders within the maritime community.
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‎Earlier in his remarks, the President of MARAN, Mr. Oluyinka Onigbinde, stated that the visit formed part of the association’s ongoing stakeholder engagement initiative following the inauguration of its newly elected executive committee.
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‎Onigbinde explained that the purpose of the visit was to formally introduce the new leadership of the association to the Command and strengthen the longstanding relationship between MARAN and the Nigeria Customs Service.
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‎He commended the KLT Area Command for its contributions to trade facilitation, revenue generation, and enforcement activities, describing the Command as a vital component of Customs operations within Nigeria’s port system.
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‎The MARAN President also reaffirmed the association’s commitment to professional, objective, and development-driven journalism, noting that maritime reporters play a significant role in promoting informed discourse on issues affecting the industry.
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‎He further assured the Command of MARAN’s continued support for initiatives aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency, and competitiveness within Nigeria’s maritime sector through responsible and factual reporting.

Customs

“You are worthy ambassador of Osun State” Oni of Ife eulogies Adeniyi’s leadership of Customs

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi II, has eulogized the sterling qualities of Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller- General of Customs, for his revolutionary leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service.

The first class Yoruba monarch made the commendation on Thursday, 28th May 2026, during the annual Eid-el-Kabir gathering hosted by the Comptroller-General at his residence in Modakeke, Osun State.

The Oni, who cited President Bola Tinubu’s public commendation of Adeniyi as evidence of the confidence reposed in the Customs boss, described him as a good ambassador of Osun State and a source of pride to the ancient Ife Kingdom and the Modakeke community.

Oba Ogunwusi said President Tinubu’s public expression of satisfaction with Adeniyi’s performance reflected confidence in his leadership and the results being achieved by the Service.

“We are very proud of him and the work he is doing. When Mr President publicly expressed satisfaction with his performance, it was not a casual statement.

” It reflects trust in his capacity and the results he is delivering. What he is doing in the Customs Service and in the community shows that he is a unifier.”

Reaffirming the support of the Ife Kingdom for the Comptroller-General, the monarch declared:

“He brings people together, and that is what leadership is about. We will continue to stand by him and pray for him.”

Addressing guests, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adeniyi expressed appreciation to the Ooni of Ife, community leaders, family members, friends, associates, and well-wishers for their continued support.

He described Eid-el-Kabir as a season that reminds humanity of the virtues of sacrifice, gratitude, obedience, and service to others.

According to him, beyond the celebration, the gathering provides an opportunity to reconnect with people, strengthen relationships, and reflect on the collective responsibility of building stronger communities and a better nation.

The CGC noted that the NCS has continued to record significant progress in revenue generation, trade facilitation, anti-smuggling operations, technological innovation, and corporate social responsibility initiatives in line with the economic objectives of the Federal Government.

He said the Service remains focused on supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu through reforms aimed at facilitating legitimate trade, enhancing national security, improving compliance, and creating opportunities for economic growth.

CGC Adeniyi added that Customs has continued to invest in community-focused interventions across the country, including educational support programmes, healthcare initiatives, and other projects designed to improve the lives of Nigerians.

He pledged that the Service would continue to pursue reforms aimed at strengthening its operations and delivering greater value to the nation, while assuring stakeholders of Customs’ commitment to professionalism, transparency, and service excellence.

Adeniyi also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the country and assured Nigerians of the Service’s continued support for government policies geared towards economic prosperity and national development.

Customs

World Bank strengthens Customs capacity in post clearance Audit in two- week capacity building exercise

Gloria Odion, maritime reporter

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced a two-week Technical Assistance Mission on Post Clearance Audit (PCA) in collaboration with the World Bank Group under the Accelerated Revenue Mobilisation Reform (ARMOR) Programme, aimed at strengthening compliance management, revenue assurance, and trade facilitation through modern audit practices.

The workshop, which runs from June 1 to June 12, 2026, is taking place at the Service’s Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.

Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, Assistant Comptroller-General , Babatunde Olomu, described the mission as a significant step in advancing the Service’s modernisation agenda and strengthening its capacity as a technology-driven, intelligence-led, and globally competitive customs administration.

He noted that modern customs administrations increasingly rely on intelligence-led, risk-based, and post-clearance interventions that promote voluntary compliance while supporting legitimate trade and economic growth.

According to him, the mission offers an opportunity to assess existing processes, identify operational gaps, adopt international best practices, and develop practical solutions to strengthen the Post Clearance Audit framework.

Olomu identified risk-based targeting, case management, registry management, quality assurance, standardisation, and integrated audit systems as key areas of focus.

He emphasised that effective Post Clearance Audit enables Customs to move beyond transaction-based controls to a strategic compliance management approach that enhances revenue assurance, facilitates legitimate trade, strengthens transparency, and boosts public confidence.

“This mission presents a valuable opportunity to critically assess our existing processes, identify gaps, learn from international best practices, and develop practical solutions that will strengthen our PCA framework and overall compliance management system.” he stated.

The ACG commended the Comptroller-General for his commitment to modernisation and capacity building and also appreciated the World Bank and other development partners for their sustained support for Customs reforms.

He urged participants to actively engage throughout the programme and ensure that lessons learned are translated into measurable improvements in daily operations.

Speaking at the event, World Bank Task Team Lead, Moses Kajubi, said the mission is designed to strengthen the capacity of Post Clearance Audit officers through modern customs practices, practical audit tools, and internationally recognised methodologies.

He explained that participants would be exposed to global best practices, case management techniques, and compliance management strategies that can be adapted to Nigeria’s operational environment.

Kajubi stressed the importance of leveraging technology, structured case management systems, and data-driven decision-making to improve audit quality, compliance monitoring, and trade facilitation outcomes.

“This engagement will equip participants with practical tools and global best practices that can be applied directly in the field to improve the effectiveness of Post Clearance Audit operations.”He stated.

He expressed confidence that the engagement would strengthen institutional capacity and contribute significantly to the Nigeria Customs Service’s modernisation objectives.

Lead Consultant for the ARMOR-P, Colonel Aloke Dutt, said the mission seeks to enhance trade facilitation, optimise revenue, and improve compliance management through a more structured and unified approach to Post Clearance Audit.

He emphasised the need for standardised audit methodologies, effective monitoring mechanisms, and the integration of data analytics into audit processes to improve accountability and operational efficiency.

Dutt also highlighted the importance of leveraging technology-driven solutions such as the B’Odogwu platform and developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to support a competency-based audit system across the Service.

During a technical session, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Muhammad Jubril, demonstrated the Post Clearance Audit process on the B’Odogwu platform, explaining how officers can initiate audit reviews using Harmonised Commodity codes and other risk indicators.

In his closing remarks, Comptroller Muhammad Shattima encouraged participants to maximise the opportunities provided by the workshop and apply the knowledge gained to achieve the strategic objectives of the NCS.