Apapa Customs Celebrates Revenue Milestone, Urges Sustained Compliance

…CGC Adeniyi Commends Comptroller Olomu as Stakeholders and Officers Receive Awards

The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has been lauded for its record-breaking revenue collection of over N2.2 trillion in 2024, with the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, urging the command to sustain its impressive performance.

Speaking on Friday, 13 December 2024, at the Command’s end-of-year party and awards ceremony in Lagos, the CGC, represented by Deputy Comptroller General (DCG) Caroline Niagwan, Tariff and Trade, highlighted compliance and stakeholder collaboration as the key pillars driving the Command’s success.

“Compliance is not merely a requirement; it is a competitive advantage. It fosters transparency, reduces operational risks, and strengthens trust between businesses and regulatory authorities,” CGC Adeniyi remarked.

He emphasised that compliant stakeholders benefit from streamlined processes, faster clearance times, and enhanced credibility, which in turn boosts Nigeria’s position in international trade.

Adeniyi reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to capacity building, technical assistance, and partnerships to empower stakeholders.

“Our goal is to ensure every stakeholder remains competitive, innovative, and aligned with global best practices. By working together, we can unlock greater opportunities for growth and contribute to national economic development,” he stated.

The CGC congratulated the Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, fsi, and the officers and men of the Apapa Area Command for their achievements, describing the record revenue as a milestone worthy of commendation.

In his welcome address, Comptroller Olomu expressed gratitude to the CGC and the NCS management team for their guidance and support, which enabled the Command to exceed its revenue target despite challenges such as reduced trade volumes.

Olomu noted that the end-of-year event served as both a celebration and an opportunity to strengthen ties between government agencies and private sector stakeholders.

“This event reinforces our collective commitment to Nigeria’s economic growth while recognising those whose exceptional contributions have defined our successes in 2024,” he said.

Highlighting the importance of compliance, Comptroller Olomu described it as the foundation of achievements in revenue collection, anti-smuggling, and trade facilitation.

He credited regular engagement with stakeholders, sister government agencies, and port users as a critical factor in the Command’s success.

“We maintained regular enlightenment meetings, streamlined trade dispute resolution mechanisms, and consistently acted on stakeholder feedback,” he said.

This proactive approach, he added, not only improved compliance but also curbed smuggling and ensured thorough examination of all consignments.

Olomu extended his appreciation to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Department of State Services (DSS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Port Health, Police, Immigration, and other agencies for their collaboration throughout 2024.

The event also celebrated outstanding contributions from stakeholders and officers. Among the awardees were corporate entities such as APM Terminals, Sifax Group, ENL Consortium, Dangote, Talod Ocean Airfreight, and Munah Sylva Nigeria Limited, whose CEO, Princess Chi Ezeh, was recognised for exceptional service.

Serving and retired Customs officers were also honoured for their dedication and contributions to the Command’s success.

Addressing the awardees, Olomu said, “This recognition is a call for greater commitment. For those not recognised this time, keep improving—your efforts will not go unnoticed.”

With the Command poised for greater achievements in the coming year, Olomu pledged to deepen collaboration and innovation to sustain its momentum.

“We are fostering inclusivity and operational excellence. Together, we can achieve even more in 2025,” he concluded.