Headlines

IMO scribe to tour NIMASA, Navy facilities in October visit to Nigeria

Funso OLOJO

The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, is scheduled to embark on a three-day working visit to Nigeria from October 2nd to 4th, 2025.

The disclosure was made by the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, during a courtesy visit to the Agency’s headquarters by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Michael Gregory Oamen.

Dr. Mobereola commended the FOC for sustaining the long standing and productive collaboration between the Nigerian Navy and NIMASA, describing it as a model for maritime sector development.

“The visit of the Flag Officer Commanding,Western Naval Command is yet another demonstration of the deep and successful partnership between NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy, which has continued to yield positive outcomes for the maritime sector and the nation at large,” he stated.

The NIMASA DG emphasized that the successes achieved through this partnership, particularly the reduction of piracy and maritime crimes, not only in Nigerian waters but across the Gulf of Guinea, serve as a template that can be replicated by other government agencies and regional partners.

He further disclosed that during his visit, the IMO Secretary-General will tour Nigerian Navy installations as well as NIMASA facilities in Lagos, underscoring the significance of Nigeria’s efforts in enhancing maritime security and promoting international maritime cooperation.

In his remarks, Rear Admiral Oamen commended NIMASA’s current management for its sustained collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, noting that such synergy remains critical to the growth and stability of the maritime sector.

Headlines

Shake- up in NRC as Opeifa reshuffles District Managers, creates three new offices

Gloria Odion

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has approved the appointment, redeployment and retention of some District Managers and senior officers in a move to entrench efficiency and reposition the Corporation.

The disposition exercise, which was conveyed in an internal memo dated August 24, 2025, took effect from September 1st, 2025.

The reforms exercise also led to the creation of three new offices which include Business Process and Efficiency and Due Diligence Desk (BUPED), Customer Service Desk, and Corporation’s Statistician Office.

The move was part of NRC’s ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening operational efficiency, business processes, accountability, and service delivery across its operations.

Among the key movements announced by Dr Opeifa are, Engr. Nneka Angelique Ikwuka, who had served as RDM, Western District in Ibadan, who was redeployed to Headquarters as Coordinator for Freight Services, Lagos–Kano (Narrow Gauge).

Naomi Itajobi, previously Assistant Director of Procurement, has now been appointed as RDM for the Western District, Ibadan.

Similarly, Engr. Suleiman Obafunsho, who was RDM for the North West District, Minna, has been redeployed to Headquarters as Project Coordinator, Lagos–Kano Narrow Gauge Rehabilitation, while Engr. Ilesanmi Ayokunle, Assistant Director of Track, takes over as RDM, Minna.

In the Eastern District, Mr. Victor Adanu has been redeployed from his role as RDM, Enugu, to Headquarters as Assistant Director, Train Monitoring and Control, with Mr. Agwonye Francis Ejike, Chief Accountant, appointed as the new RDM for the district.

At Lagos District, Engr. Augustine Arisa, has been reassigned as Coordinator, Locomotive Services and Maintenance, while Engr. Rasheed Adewale Adedeji, former RDM Northern District, Zaria, has been redeployed to serve as RDM, Lagos District.

Aliyu Mainasara, who had been RDM for the North Eastern District, Bauchi, now takes over as RDM, Northern District, Zaria.

Mr. Wilson Obada retains his position as RDM, North Central District, Bauchi, while Zirra Marcellinus, Assistant Director of Operations, has been appointed as RDM, North Eastern District, Bauchi.

In the Warri–Itakpe corridor, Engr. Abdulganiyu Sani, formerly Coordinator of WITS, has been redeployed as Coordinator, Freight services, Warri-Itakpe corridor, with Wyep Najul, Assistant Director of Operations, appointed as Coordinator, Warri–Itakpe Standard Gauge.

At the Abuja–Kaduna Train Services, Mohammed Ibrahim retains his position as Manager, AKTS.

Other appointments approved by Dr. Opeifa include Oyekunle Oyewole, as Head of the Business Process and Efficiency and Due Diligence Desk (BUPED); Nma Odimkalu, Chief Internal Auditor, who assumes the additional role of Coordinator, Freight SG Lagos–Ibadan; and Dennis Ujah, Chief Human Resource Officer (Protocol and Transport), who now also serves as Coordinator, Lagos Terminus Business District.

Furthermore, Engr. A.T. Quadri, Assistant Director (Mechanical & Electrical), has been assigned as Coordinator, Coach and Wagon, while Rita Onyiagha, Assistant Director (Establishment), becomes Corporate Head of the newly created Customer Services desk in addition to her current duties.

Also, Hamza Abdulradak, Motive Power Officer in the WITS corridor, has taken on the role of Head, Customer Service WITS, and Dauda Akinola, Chief Policy and Planning Officer, has assumed the additional role of Corporation’s Statistician.

Dr. Opeifa emphasized that the shake-up is part of NRC’s ongoing reform to reposition the Corporation for improved service delivery across both standard and narrow-gauge operation.

Customs

Whirlwind of career progression hits Customs.

–appoints four DCGs,12 ACGs, promotes 3,312 senior officers, 202 Junior officers

— collects 3.7 trillion in six months.

Funso OLOJO

In a gale of career advancement, the Board of the Nigeria Customs Service, at its 63rd regular meeting held on September 2nd,2025, has approved the appointment of four Deputy Comptroller- General of Customs(DCGs), 12 Assistant Comptroller- General of Customs(ACGs) while it endorsed the promotion of 3,312 senior officers into various cadres.

According to the statement by the Service, the Customs’ Board, Chaired by the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, endorsed these appointments to fill vacancies created by the recent retirement of some management members.

These appointments were also made in line with the availability of positions across the six geopolitical zones and in strict compliance with the Federal Character Policy of the Government, as provided in Section 14(4) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

The newly appointed DCGs are: AB Mohammed (North-West), GO Omale (North-Central), OC Orbih (South-South), D Nnadi (South-East).

While the new ACGs include: MP Binga (North-East), CA Awo (South-East), AB Shuaibu (North-Central), AT Abe (North-West), K Mohammed (North-West), B Mohammed (North-West), TM Daniyan (North-Central), B Oramalugo (South-East), OP Olaniyan (South-West), B Olomu (South-West), IK Oladeji (South-West), and CC Dim (South-East).

The promotion of 3,312 senior officers cut across various ranks from Comptroller of Customs (CC) to Assistant Superintendent of Customs II (ASC 11).

Additionally, the NCS Management during its 6th Management Meeting held on Friday, 29 August 2025, approved the promotion of 202 junior officers from Assistant Inspector (AIC) to Customs Assistant I (CA1).

Meanwhile, the Service has announced that it collected the sum of N3.7 trillion between January to June, 2025, representing, representing a remarkable performance above expectations.

The collected revenue surpassed the projected revenue for the period by N390,197,847,119.32, equivalent of 11.85%, reflecting the Service’s strengthened capacity in revenue mobilisation.

“In practical terms, this signifies that within six months, the NCS has already achieved 55.93% of its annual revenue target.

“The Board noted that this impressive outcome underscores the effectiveness of ongoing reforms, improved compliance by stakeholders, and enhanced deployment of technology in Customs operations” the statement said.

It was also revealed that the Service has taken delivery of six additional scanners, including an FS6000 model to boost non-intrusive inspection.

Similarly, the NCS has procured Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) equipment, setup of the Centralised Image Analysis System (CIAS) at Customs Headquarters, reinforcement of cybersecurity architecture, operationalisation of a multi-channel help desk, onboarding of additional stakeholders, and delivery of targeted capacity-building programmes.

Customs

Olomu bows out as Apapa Customs boss, sets high revenue records, promoted to ACG

Funso OLOJO

The Area Controller of the Apapa command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Babatunde Olomu, may have bowed out as the Area Controller of the Apapa command following his elevation and decoration today, September 2nd,2025 in Abuja as the Assistant Comptroller- General of Customs (ACG).

He was decorated, along with other promoted senior officers, with his new rank by the Comptroller- General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.

Olomu, who took over the rein of Apapa command from retired Compt. Babajide Jaiyeoba on May 6, 2024, left in his trail a high revenue collection tragectory.

With this decoration, ACG Olomu will exit Apapa Port and expected to hand over to a new Area Controller anytime soon.

During his 16 months as the helmsman of the Apapa Customs, Olomu broke the revenue collection record of the command in multiple times.

He closed the year 2024 with an unprecedented N2.2 trillion revenue.

Before he bowed out, he marshalled his officers to rake in a whooping sum of N215 billion in the month of August, 2025.

In October, 2024, the command, under his watch, recorded an astounding revenue haul of N18.2billion in a single day, a record he broke in March, 14th, 2025 when the command grossed the sum of N18.9 billion in a single day, a revenue feat unprecedented in the history of the command.

During his 16 months stewardship, Olomu led his command to a monthly revenue collection record of N264.455 billion in October 2024, a feat never achieved in a single day in the history of the command.

Similarly ,the command generated the sum N1.875 trillion between January and October 2024.

The N2.2 trillion revenue collected in 2024 represents a 101% increase over the N931.1 billion collected during the same period in 2023.

The command also replicated the astounding feats in revenue collection in its anti- smuggling activities as he made the command a hot haven for smugglers and traders of illicit products as several landmark seizures were made during his 16 months rein at the command.