Apapa Customs Generates N302.9bn in October as Mu’azu Intensifies Trade Facilitation Reforms
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, generated N302.95 billion in October 2026, representing an increase of N20.16 billion over the N282.79 billion collected in September.
The latest revenue performance represents a month-on-month growth of approximately 7.13 per cent, marking another collection above the N300 billion threshold by the Command.
The October revenue performance comes after the Command recorded its highest-ever monthly collection of more than N323 billion in July 2026, underscoring its continued contribution to government revenue generation.
The development also comes barely a month after Comptroller Murtala Mu’azu assumed duty as Customs Area Controller of the Command on 29 September 2026, with an agenda focused on operational efficiency, stakeholder collaboration and improved trade facilitation.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Command said Mu’azu had prioritised engagement with stakeholders and the removal of operational bottlenecks affecting importers, exporters and other port users since taking over leadership.
The initiatives, according to the Command, are in line with the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, which emphasises consolidation, collaboration and innovation.
As part of the reforms, Mu’azu convened a stakeholder engagement meeting on 5 October, bringing together importers, exporters, licensed Customs agents, shipping companies and terminal operators to deliberate on challenges affecting port operations.
The meeting addressed issues including delays in the issuance of Demand Notices, cargo clearance bottlenecks and other operational difficulties confronting businesses operating within the Apapa port environment.
The Customs Area Controller has also embarked on courtesy visits to key stakeholders and strategic partners within the port community as part of efforts to strengthen institutional relationships, promote mutual understanding and create a more conducive business environment.
A major area of focus under his administration is the review and streamlining of Transire processing, which the Command identified as one of the operational procedures requiring greater efficiency to reduce unnecessary delays.
The initiative is intended to eliminate avoidable bureaucratic bottlenecks, improve coordination among departments and shorten processing time without weakening existing compliance and control mechanisms.
Explaining the rationale behind the initiative, Mu’azu said traders should not be made to bear the consequences of avoidable administrative lapses and delays.
He said the Command was committed to identifying operational challenges, addressing their root causes and adopting practical solutions that would improve service delivery and promote seamless business operations.
According to him, the reforms are driven by the need to improve trade facilitation and address inefficiencies capable of subjecting traders to unnecessary hardship.
The CAC further directed officers to ensure that cargo examinations were conducted strictly in accordance with established procedures, relevant documentation and the requisite authorisations.
He cautioned against unwarranted, repetitive and unnecessary cargo examinations capable of frustrating legitimate business transactions and prolonging cargo clearance.
Officers were also instructed to discharge their responsibilities promptly and professionally while maintaining the necessary standards of compliance, revenue protection and national security.
The Command said the directives were designed to improve cargo clearance processes, reduce turnaround time and create a more predictable trading environment in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
It added that efforts were being intensified to strengthen coordination among relevant departments and port stakeholders to address operational challenges affecting the movement of cargo.
Beyond revenue generation and trade facilitation, the Command also reported significant enforcement activities during the period under review, including the interception of 437 sachets of Cannabis Sativa weighing 392.5 kilogrammes in two containers.
The seized consignments comprised 162 sachets weighing 125 kilogrammes found in container number MSKU0486747 and another 275 sachets weighing 267.5 kilogrammes intercepted in container number TEMU6149358.
The combined Duty Paid Value of the seized narcotics was put at N196.13 million.
The Command said the consignments were jointly examined with relevant sister agencies, demonstrating its determination to prevent the exploitation of Nigeria’s maritime gateway for illicit trade.
The seizure, it added, formed part of efforts to protect public health and national security while strengthening enforcement at the nation’s busiest seaport.
The latest developments highlight the balancing act facing the Apapa Area Command as it seeks to sustain strong revenue performance while addressing longstanding concerns about cargo clearance delays, bureaucratic procedures and the cost of doing business at the port.
With the volume of trade passing through Apapa, the effectiveness of the new administration’s reforms will be measured not only by revenue collections but also by improvements in cargo processing, reduced delays and greater predictability for port users.
The Command reiterated its commitment to consolidating revenue generation, strengthening enforcement and deepening stakeholder partnerships, stressing that its objective was to protect government revenue and national security while creating an enabling environment for legitimate trade and economic growth.
