From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
In a historic feat for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Apapa Area Command has surpassed the ₦1 trillion revenue mark well ahead of the first half of 2025, setting a new benchmark in the service’s revenue generation efforts.
According to a statement released by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Superintendent of Customs Tunde Ayagbalo, the Command recorded a total revenue collection of ₦1,002,968,178,694.07 — achieved more than 45 days before the end of June, the official halfway mark of the fiscal year.
This outstanding performance was attributed to strategic leadership and the intensified drive for efficiency under the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, fsi. Comptroller Olomu credited the success to the directive leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, proactive measures to block revenue leakages, and the dedication of officers and men under his command.
“This early achievement of ₦1 trillion not only signals the strength and discipline of our operations but also our preparedness to surpass the ₦2.3 trillion revenue we collected in 2024 before the year ended,” said Comptroller Olomu.
Having assumed leadership of the Apapa Command in May 2024, Comptroller Olomu has instituted a culture of diligence, transparency, and innovation. While commending his officers for maintaining high standards, he urged them to sustain their efforts in maximizing revenue collection, suppressing smuggling, and facilitating lawful trade through meticulous cargo examination.
He further encouraged the officers to prioritize intelligence sharing, foster strong collaboration with sister government agencies, and engage stakeholders regularly, noting that these elements are essential for sustained success and national economic growth.
Highlighting the positive impact of the CGC’s reform agenda, Olomu noted that the introduction of the Unified Customs Management System, popularly known as B’Odogwu, has already begun enhancing operational productivity. He emphasized that ongoing training for licensed customs agents and freight forwarders is critical to the effective deployment of the system and to meeting or exceeding revenue targets for 2025.
“Our award-winning reputation remains unshaken as we intensify efforts to maintain our excellent record as the leading customs command domiciled in the nation’s premier port,” Olomu declared.
“This recent milestone in revenue collection shows that we are not resting on our oars. Following the visionary examples set by the CGC, we have resolved not to be complacent. We thank our compliant stakeholders for their support and reiterate that any unlawful behavior aimed at undermining our economic progress or compromising national security will be met with the full weight of the law.”
In 2024, the Apapa Command won multiple awards for exceptional performance in revenue collection, including the Comptroller General of Customs Award of Excellence. Comptroller Olomu himself was named “Best Controller of the Year” at the CGC Award Night in Abuja, a recognition of his outstanding leadership and commitment to enhancing the command’s effectiveness.
With this latest accomplishment, the Apapa Command continues to assert its role as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s trade and revenue system, while strengthening the customs service’s contribution to the nation’s economic development.