Customs

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.

‌

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.

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.

Customs

Seme Customs in revenue windfall as it collects N3.5 billion in February.

Funso OLOJO,Editor

The Seme command of the Nigeria Customs Service has continued to sustain its revenue momentious

trajectory under the leadership of its Area Controller, Comptroller Wale Adenuga.

According to revenue statistics made available to our reporter by the command, it has garnered a princely sum of N3,480,970,924.67 in revenue for the month of February 2026, with the month still ongoing.

Comptroller Adenuga made this disclosure during an interactive session at a stakeholders’ engagement meeting with cross-border traders ,farmers and stakeholders organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Agricultural Trade Programme and GIZ International.

The event, held in Badagry on Wednesday, February 25th, 2026, was themed “Empowering Cross-Border Traders through Trade Information Desk for Agricultural Traders”.

Comptroller Adenuga noted the revenue figure represents a remarkable improvement over the N743,698,652.16 recorded in February 2025 which he attributed to the seamless trade facilitation process adopted at the Command.

“For this February that has not yet ended, we have already generated N3,480,970,924.67 as against N743,698,652.16 revenue generated in February 2025″ Adenuga told the stakeholders.

He said the feat was a reflection of

the flow of trade which he believed was getting better as people are building greater confidence in the Seme–Krake corridor.

Comptroller Adenuga assured traders and stakeholders that the significant reduction in checkpoints along the Seme–Gbaji axis is the direct result of strong collaborative efforts with other security agencies operating within the corridor.

He disclosed that only Agbara and Gbaji remain the officially Customs approved and sanctioned checkpoints along this Lagos-Abidjan corridor.

The Customs Chief further attributed the noticeable decline in crime rates along the Seme-Gbaji axis to the positive outcomes of monthly joint border security meetings involving all agencies at the border post.

These regular inter-agency engagements, according to him, have strengthened better cooperation, improved intelligence sharing and more effective responses to security challenges, thereby creating a safer and more enabling environment for cross-border trade.

Adenuga declared that while revenue generation and trade facilitation remain key priorities, the Command’s mandate extends firmly to combating illicit activities.

The CAC highlighted recent enforcement successes, including the interception of a Toyota Highlander vehicle conveying 22 packages of cocaine with an estimated street value exceeding N1 billion, a feat he claimed was made possible based on very credible information shared by the CGC.

In addition, during February 2026 alone, the Command has seized 1,000 bags of 50kg parboiled rice, underscoring its unwavering commitment to suppressing smuggling and protecting Nigeria’s economic borders.

Comptroller Adenuga reiterated the vigilance and commitment of the operatives of the Command in working closely with stakeholders, traders, farmers, sister security agencies and regional partners to improve the momentum of trade and security along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.