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Customs

Customs goes tough on bonded terminal operators over serial infractions on operational guidelines 

– set to review licensing fees of owners 
— may revoked licenses of defaulters
Funso OLOJO 
The Nigeria Customs Service is set to review the licensing fees of bonded terminal operators as well as their operational procedures due to serial infractions of the owners on customs guidelines.
The Comptroller- General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who was apparently reacting to the three bonded terminals shut by the Apapa command of the service recently, said the service is likely to introduce tougher guidelines and stricter penalties to engender sanity in the operations of bonded terminals in the country.
It could be recalled that Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, the Area Controller of the Apapa command of the customs, while giving the revenue performance of the command in the first half of the year, revealed that three bonded terminals were shut for various infractions committed.
It was independently gathered that the shut bonded terminals were accused of serial underpayments of required fees and charges as well as found culpable in the series of seizures of fake, expired and unregistered pharmaceuticals products stemmed to their facilities.
However, the CGC, while showcasing another 25 containers of illicit pharmaceuticals products at the Apapa port on July 11th, 2025, announced total ban of bonded terminals from receiving pharmaceutical products due to what he described as the undisguised abuse of operational procedures by the operators.
Also, Adeniyi disclosed that the service is set to review the licensing fees of operators of these facilities which he described as not in tune with the present realities in the country.
He stated that the present licensing fees have been in operation over a decade ago and have become grossly inadequate and unrealistic.
In addition, the CGC revealed that the operational procedures of the bonded terminals which he accused the operators of flagrantly flouting, will now be reviewed to reflect the international best practices.
He warned that henceforth, defaulters of customs guidelines on the operations of bonded terminals will have their licenses revoked.
Speaking on the three bonded terminals shut by Apapa Customs, Adeniyi said they were found to have engaged in underpayment of appropriate dues and fees and hinted that they may have been found complicit in the series of seizures of illicit phamacitical products.
According to him, some of them have started paying back.
“We have recovered the sum of N500 million from one of them.
” I have also been told that another one has paid N1.5 billion while I understand that another N1.6 billion will be paid by one of them before the month runs out”
Notwithstanding these payments, the CGC said their licenses may be revoked at the end of investigations into the various infractions they committed.
To establish a bonded terminal in Nigeria, operators need to register with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and pay a registration fee.
 The initial registration fee is N200,000 and there is an annual renewal fee of N100,000.
In addition to these fees payable to the NPA, there are also fees payable to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), which are assessed based on the specific operations and type of goods handled.
NPA Registration Fee: N200,000, payable to the NPA revenue account.
NPA Annual Renewal Fee: N100,000.
Fees Payable to NCS: These are not fixed and are determined based on the assessment of the specific operations and type of goods handled by the terminal.
Other Potential Fees: There may be additional fees associated with specific services, such as those charged by terminal operators for handling exports.
The process of setting up a bonded terminal also involves obtaining necessary permits and licenses from the NPA and the NCS.
The NCS is the primary authority for all customs matters and is responsible for regulating and overseeing bonded terminals.
In summary, while the core registration and renewal fees are with the NPA, the NCS plays a crucial role in regulating and assessing the specific fees associated with the bonded terminal operations.
To establish a bonded terminal in Nigeria, operators need to register with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and pay a registration fee. The initial registration fee is N200,000, and there is an annual renewal fee of N100,000. In addition to these fees payable to the NPA, there are also fees payable to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), which are assessed based on the specific operations and type of goods handled.
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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.
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Customs

Apapa Customs, Navy deepen partnership for seamless cargo movement along Apapa port corridor 

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter 
The Customs Area Controller (CAC),
Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, has solicited sustained support of the Western Naval Command to ensure seamless cargo movement along the Apapa port corridor.
Comptroller Oshoba made the call on  Wednesday, February 25th, 2026, while on a courtesy visit to Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command.
The visit was meant to deepen operational collaboration in line with the three policy thrusts of Consolidation, Collaboration and Innovation of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
Speaking during the visit, the CAC stated: “The CGC has three key policy thrusts.
” The first is consolidation. On assuming duty, I resolved to consolidate on the gains already achieved and improve the existing relationship between Apapa Command and the Nigerian Navy within this axis.”
On collaboration, he noted that modern border management requires agencies to work in tandem, adding: “While Customs is known for trade facilitation and revenue generation, we also perform critical security functions.
“To achieve this mandate, we must collaborate with the military, the mother of security.”
On innovation, he added: “Innovation is doing things differently to achieve better results and strengthening inter-agency cooperation is part of that approach.”
He appreciated the Navy for securing Nigeria’s waters, stating: “No vessel can come into the country without safe waters.
” We commend you for keeping the maritime environment secure.”
In his response, Rear Admiral Mustapha acknowledged the longstanding partnership between both agencies, emphasizing: “Port security is about inter-agency and coordination. Without security, there is no development.”
He commended the Service under CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi for its performance, noting: “The Customs has done exceptionally well in blocking revenue leakages and surpassing national revenue targets.
“Continue what you are doing; with more revenue, there will be more infrastructure and social safety network for the country.”
The FOC assured the Command of improved and seamless cooperation in securing the maritime domain and supporting national economic growth.
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Customs

Customs automates acquisition, renewal of licenses, permits to enhance efficiency, revenue boost.

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
In order to consolidate the automation of its operations, the Nigeria Customs Service, has concluded preparations to automate the process of Licenses, Permits acquisition and renewal.
To achieve this landmark initiative, the Service has trained  its bond officers of various area commands who will drive the process.
While unveiling the automation process to stakeholders in Lagos on Monday, February 23rd, 2026, the Comptroller – General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi said the initiative was driven by the desire of the Customs management to make licenses and permits acquisition and renewal less cumbersome, promote ease of doing business and boost revenue generation.
CGC Adeniyi, who was represented by Comptroller NJ Anozie, further expanded the benefits of the automation process.
“Automation will save importers, clearing and forwarding agents the stress of acquiring or renewing their Licenses and Permits as they would be sitting in the comfort of their offices/homes to initiate and complete the process.
“Officers and  men of License and Permit Unit, the bond seat unit of various Commands will also be saved some stress, as all their responsibilities would just be ‘clicks’ on the systems in front of their desks, as opposed to carrying loads of files from one table to another and from one office to the other.
“Automation will cut the cost of doing business and minimize movement risks for our stakeholders.
“They would no longer be jumping on buses or flights to and fro Customs Headquarters-Abuja, paying hotel bills plus feeding for days, to obtain or renew their licenses and permits.
“Automation will minimize, if not eradicate fraudulent practices in the system, as every single document that is uploaded in the course of this process will be automatically rejected by default, if it is fake and accepted if it is genuine.
 “L&P can now view assessments through the B’Odogwu to be sure that any company applying for fresh or renewal of licences or permits is not having unpaid assessments hanging on it”
The Customs boss said he was poised to sanitize the system and urged the Licences and Permits unit of the Service to be passionate in driving this initiative.
He further disclosed that the automation process will save the importers and their agents time and money which they normally expended in manual process.
Adeniyi urged the stakeholders to take advantage of this new initiative, assuring them that they would adequately be guided on how to key into the system by the bond officers who have already been trained.
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