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How Comptroller Adenuga is raising revenue profile of Seme command, facilitating regional trade.

Funso OLOJO 
The assumption of duties by Comptroller Wale Adenuga as the Area controller of Seme  command of the Nigeria Customs service has begun to have positive impact on the revenue profile of the border station.
Comptroller Adenuga, who was behind the phenomenal revenue runs of the Apapa Customs when he was the Deputy Comptroller, Revenue, was promoted to full Comptroller and was tapped on the back by the Comptroller- General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, to go and raise the revenue standard of the border station.
Barely two months into his assumption of duties,  Seme border has started to feel the positive impact of the revenue wizardry of Adenuga.
In an exclusive interview with our Reporter in his modest office at Seme border, Adenuga said he met the monthly revenue taking of the border at N500 million when he assumed office in September 9th, 2025.
But deploying ingenious methods of trade facilitation, staff welfare and inter- agency collaboration, the revenue profile of the border has climbed to about  N3 billion as at the last week of November, 2025.
Sharing the secret of his instant success at the border station while conducting our Reporter on a guided tour of the facilities at the command, Comptroller Adenuga said he deployed the tools of trade facilitation, staff welfare through creation of conducive working environment, stakeholders engagement and strong inter- agency collaboration for effective service delivery.
Trade Facilitation: 
The first thing Comptroller Adenuga did was to energise the dormant bonded terminal at the border called God is Wise bonded terminal to handle transire goods from Nigeria to Cotonou, Benin Republic and vice- versa.
This has led to the boom in regional trade across the borders as transactions of legitimate businesses take between six to eight hours in a seamless process.
“The Only God is Wise bonded terminal at Seme border is licensed by the Nigeria customs service.
” It has been approved before I assumed office here but was not functional.
” When I came, I looked at the volume of trade and in order to facilitate regional trade, I  decided to make the terminal functional.
” With the help of the Headquarters, we deployed full ICT infrastructures to the terminal, we posted required officers there such as releasing officers, gate officers and exit officers.
” The bonded terminal has full complement of customs operations.
” People can send their transire goods from Lagos Cotonou, e route the bonded terminal.
” Similarly, you can do a transire from Cotonou to Nigeria e route the bonded terminal.
” Just put Only God is Wise bonded terminal and the goods will come into the terminal where the container would be unstuffed and loaded into a truck for its  journey to its final destination after all the necessary customs documentation and payment are made”
Adenuga said this procedure has boosted regional trade and enhanced the revenue profile of the border station.
“A lot of people see goods at the border as  smuggled goods.
” That is not true. There are legitimate goods at the border.
” So with this  bonded terminal, it shows that legitimate business can be done at the border and they pay duties into the federal government coffers.
“You know, if you go to the port, you’ll see container number so-so-so. But from here, it’s truck number. So this is  to serve as accountability and to avert fraud.
“So every Kobo collected goes into the federation account.
Staff Welfare: 
Comptroller Adenuga said on his assumption of duties, one of his priorities was to enhance staff welfare for optimum productivity.
Consequent upon this, he said his management renovated the staff quarters which has been in shambles over the years.
He said the place is well- lit at night with other recreational amenities such as functional officers mess which make the working environment conducive.
“The Officers are high in spirit and are putting in their maximum efforts into the job.
” We work till around 7 to 8  pm to ensure there is no backlog of untreated entries.
” This could be achieved because the officers are happy and their morale is boosted by the humane environment in which they are working” Onanuga declared.
In addition, the Comptroller said he has renovated the examination bay at the border which is well- lit at night.
” We achieved all these to boost the morale of our men and officers to put in their best.
” And this has paid off with their high productivity rate” the Comptroller declared.
Stakeholders collaboration:
Comptroller Adenuga said he conducts regular stakeholders meetings, especially with the Obas, Chiefs, Baales of the border communities to engender good rapport and cordial relationship with the border communities which he believed is necessary for uninterrupted customs operations in the area.
He also said that he has a good working relationship with his Beninuou counterpart for seamless cross – border operations.
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Comptroller Adenuga also takes synergy between his command and other sister agencies at the border such as NDLEA, Immigration, Police and NAFDAC,very seriously.
” We do hold regular meetings where we have frank discussions with one another on the need to ensure seamless cross – border trade and work towards achieving same purpose of realizing government vision of enthroning friendly business environment at the border.
” We talk as brothers, we talk as friends, we talk with one voice” the Customs chief declared.
Adenuga said such collaboration has led to drastic reduction of check points along Seme border to Agbara, in Ogun state.
According to him , when he assumed duties in September, he met between 20 to 30 customs checkpoints along the corridor but said the numbers have reduced drastically.
” We have been able to collapse some of these checkpoints to reduce their numbers.
“We have two approved Customs checkpoints between Seme and Agbara and they are at Agbara and Gbaji.
“However,  we have about three to four roving checkpoints which are interventionist in nature.
” They are not stationary but roving as interventionists” the Comptroller said.
” All the security agencies know there is need to reduce checkpoints on the road because the development is shameful to us as a nation”
Comptroller Adenuga has recorded these achievements within the two months he assumed duties at the border station.
His impact has however reverberated across the border so much so that a Non- Governmental Organization(NGO)of ECOWAS called The Corridor, has commended him for his action.
“To God be the glory, we have an NGO, we call it The Corridor.
“The Corridor is an NGO of ECOWAS that monitors all the ECOWAS borders.
“And they came here to look at what is happening in Seme right now and they gave us a kudo because one, we facilitate a lot of trade. You know, this is cross-border trade.
“So there have been a lot of improvements in the cross-border trade between Nigeria and other West African countries” Comptroller Adenuga declared.
Challenges:
Adenuga disclosed that his main challenge at the border station is lack of scanning machine.
According to him, the one donated by the ECOWAS is spoilt.
He said he would have loved to have a functional scanner that will further enhance trade facilitation.
But he took solace in the fact that the CGC Adeniyi has taken up the matter with the President of the ECOWAS.
“Yeah, we have challenges. For example, the scanners. Yeah, the issue of scanners.
“I would have loved to do scanning because this will reduce time of examination.
” Yeah, we are still on 100 percent examination because there is no scanner on ground but with scanner, I can scan 10 consignments within 10 minutes.
” The only scanner which the ECOWAS donated to us is spoilt but the CGC has taken it up with the ECOWAS president.
” So with the CGC taking it upon himself, and I think very soon, with the
volume of trade going on here, I think it will be repaired and put in place” Adenuga enthused.
Projections:
Adenuga said in the next few years, he wanted to see Seme- Krake border command rival the conventional Ports of Apapa and Tin Can commands in revenue generation and also to be the biggest border station in West Africa.
He said by the time he is leaving as the Area Controller of the border station, he envisage the border command to be  grossing between 5 and 6 billion Naira monthly.
“Yeah, I want a situation that in the nearest future, Seme border will be the number one in West Africa where legitimate businesses can be done seamlessly.
“Let’s grow the trade between the
West African countries.
“Let’s grow the trade. When we grow the trade across the borders, among the West African countries, the level of inflation will drop. That’s correct.
“Two, unemployment among all these West African countries will reduce.
” You know the level of crime is high in the region but the more our inflation drops, companies are producing, people can trade among themselves,  you’ll discover that crime rates will reduce.
” And then, you know, when all these
things are done, our revenue will increase.
“I’m projecting that by the grace of almighty God, by the time I’m leaving Seme, the revenue of Seme Command should be dangling between 5 billion and 6 billion monthly.
” Then Seme border will be competing with the conventional Ports in Lagos” Adenuga enthused.
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Customs

Ogun Customs spurns claims of Smugglers’ takeover of Idiroko–Sango Ota trading Route

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dismissed as false reports alleging that smugglers had taken over the Idiroko–Sango Ota trading route in Ogun State, describing the claims as a deliberate misrepresentation of a traffic incident.
In a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs (SC) Chado, the Command clarified that the traffic gridlock on the route resulted from the breakdown of an articulated commercial trailer after it fell into a badly deteriorated section of Atan Road, temporarily obstructing the free flow of traffic.
According to the Command, the vehicles caught in the ensuing congestion were legitimate commercial trucks transporting red palm oil to various local markets and had no connection whatsoever with smuggling activities.
It explained that the large number of heavy-duty trucks trapped in the gridlock may have led some members of the public to wrongly conclude that smugglers had taken over the road.
“The reports that smugglers blocked the road are inaccurate. The disruption resulted from a road accident and poor road conditions. The vehicles involved were lawful commercial vehicles transporting red palm oil for legitimate trade,” Chado stated.
The Command urged journalists, social media users and the general public to verify information before disseminating reports capable of creating unnecessary panic or undermining public confidence in security agencies.
Observers within the border trade sector noted that the allegation does not reflect the prevailing security situation within the Ogun I Area Command, where anti-smuggling operations have been intensified under the leadership of the Acting Customs Area Controller, Comptroller O.O. Afeni.
Since assuming office, Comptroller Afeni has strengthened intelligence-driven surveillance, enhanced collaboration with other security agencies and host communities, and sustained pressure on economic saboteurs operating along the Ogun border corridors.
These measures, according to stakeholders, have resulted in significant seizures of prohibited goods and reinforced the Command’s resolve to safeguard Nigeria’s economy and territorial integrity.
Maritime and border trade stakeholders also cautioned against the spread of unverified information capable of undermining the efforts of security personnel or creating a false impression of lawlessness in border communities.
They stressed that while combating smuggling remains an ongoing responsibility, responsible and accurate reporting is equally critical to ensuring that operational achievements are not overshadowed by misinformation.
The Ogun I Area Command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining its anti-smuggling campaign while facilitating legitimate cross-border trade in line with the statutory mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service.

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Customs

Customs puts smiles on faces of 4,237 retirees as Adeniyi releases N7.61bn to 9 PFAs for payment

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has disbursed N7.61 billion to nine Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) for the payment of retirement benefits to 4,237 retired Customs officers, reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of its former personnel.

Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this during a dialogue with retired officers held on Tuesday, July 14th, 2026, where he announced that the funds had already been released to the PFAs for immediate credit to the retirees’ individual Retirement Savings Accounts.

According to the beneficiary breakdown, Premium Pension has the highest number of beneficiaries with 2,268 retirees, followed by Access-ARM Pension Managers with 1,223.

Leadway Pensions will pay 403 retirees, TrustFund Pensions 156, FCMB Pensions 144, Veritas Glanvills Pensions 28, Norrenberger Pensions 11, while Fidelity Pension Managers will pay four retirees, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 4,237.

Addressing the retirees, Adeniyi stressed that the Customs Service remains committed to ensuring the welfare of both serving and retired officers, noting that the institution’s future is closely tied to how it treats those who devoted their careers to its service.

He said the Service must remain financially strong and capable of meeting its obligations, emphasizing that retirees deserve dignity and timely access to their benefits.

The CGC also called for sustained engagement between the Service and its retirees, explaining that the dialogue was convened to address concerns, foster mutual understanding, and dispel misinformation.

“I acknowledge your concerns and suggestions, and it is in view of this that we convened this dialogue to promote better understanding and reduce the effect of rumours and unofficial information on the relationship between the Service and its retired personnel,” Adeniyi said.

Also present at the meeting were the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Human Resources Development, DCG Tijjani Abe, and other members of the Customs Management Team, who assured the retirees that the issues raised would receive due consideration at both the Board and Management levels.

The retired officers commended the Comptroller-General and the Management for creating a platform for direct interaction, describing the engagement as timely and beneficial.

They appealed for the dialogue to become a regular feature to strengthen the bond between the Service and its retired workforce.

The meeting comes against the backdrop of ongoing Federal Government efforts to improve pension administration, following plans to review relevant statutory provisions, including Section 15(4) of the Pension Reform Act 2014, in line with Section 173(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), with the aim of enhancing the welfare of pensioners across the public service.

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Customs

Apapa Customs intercepts ₦26.57bn cannabis hidden in imported vehicles

Gloria Odion Maritime reporter 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has dealt a major blow to drug trafficking networks with the interception of 4,143.5 kilograms of Cannabis Indica valued at ₦26.57 billion, cleverly concealed inside a 40-foot container carrying imported used vehicles.

The illicit consignment was uncovered during a joint examination conducted by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Command’s Enforcement Unit.

The interception followed credible intelligence, which prompted the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, to order a comprehensive examination of 40-foot container No. FANU1933352.

The operation, carried out on Friday, July 10, 2026, led to the discovery of one of the largest cannabis seizures recorded at the nation’s premier port.

The container had been declared to contain three used vehicles—a 2015 red Nissan Micra, a 2019 black Toyota Corolla S, and a 2015 grey Toyota Corolla.

However, a meticulous inspection revealed 162 bags containing 8,287 parcels of Cannabis Indica, each weighing 500 grams, bringing the total weight of the narcotics to 4,143.5 kilograms.

Investigators found that four of the bags had been concealed inside the red Nissan Micra, while the remaining 158 bags were strategically hidden beneath the container floor and in the spaces between the three vehicles.

No narcotics were found inside either the black Toyota Corolla S or the grey Toyota Corolla.

Speaking on the seizure, Comptroller Oshoba described the interception as another demonstration of the Apapa Area Command’s unwavering resolve to prevent the importation of prohibited items, particularly illicit drugs that threaten public health, national security, and the economy.
He noted that the successful operation aligns with the zero-tolerance policy of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, against smuggling and all forms of illicit trade.

The Customs Area Controller reiterated the Command’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade while sustaining robust enforcement against prohibited and restricted imports.

He also commended the officers involved for their professionalism, vigilance, and dedication.

“This seizure once again demonstrates our unwavering commitment to ensuring that only legitimate trade thrives at Apapa Port,” Oshoba said.

“As investigations continue, we remain resolute in making the port inaccessible to those engaged in unlawful activities prohibited by our laws.

“I also wish to reassure our compliant traders of our continued support. They will continue to benefit from the trade facilitation measures introduced by the Comptroller-General of Customs to promote seamless and legitimate business operations.”

Following the interception, Comptroller Oshoba ordered the seizure of the container in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and other relevant laws.

The seized Cannabis Indica will subsequently be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation, prosecution of those involved, and other necessary legal actions.

The seizure underscores the growing synergy between the Nigeria Customs Service and the NDLEA in combating transnational organised crime, particularly the trafficking of illicit drugs through the nation’s seaports, while reinforcing the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s borders and protecting the public from the devastating effects of narcotics.

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