Apapa Customs Command Rakes in N694.1 Billion in Q1 2025, Earns Lawmakers’ Commendation
…Olomu assures of higher revenue as B’Odogwu platform gains traction
The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded an impressive N694.1 billion in revenue collection for the first quarter of 2025, reflecting a remarkable 41.8% increase compared to the N489 billion collected during the same period in 2024.
According to a statement signed by SC Tunde Ayagbalo, Public Relations Officer at Apapa Port Command, this was disclosed by the Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, fsi, during a recent visit by members of the House of Representatives Committee on Customs, led by Honourable Leke Abejide.
Comptroller Olomu attributed the significant rise in revenue to the effective leadership and strategic direction provided by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR.
He expressed optimism that the Command is on course to surpass its 2024 annual revenue of N2.357 trillion.
“Under the guidance and effective supervision of the CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, we are optimistic about surpassing last year’s total collection, as evident in our first quarter report,” Olomu said. “May I also state that the CGC is directly instrumental to our successes in terms of our overall productivity?”
Highlighting a milestone achievement, Comptroller Olomu revealed that the Command set a new daily revenue record of N18.9 billion on Friday, 14th March 2025—the highest in the 135-year history of the Nigeria Customs Service. This surpassed the previous record of N18.2 billion, also set by the Apapa Command in October 2024.
He reaffirmed the Command’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s economy, stressing its strategic position at the country’s premier port and its capacity to manage the highest trade volume in both West and Central Africa.
The Command, he said, plays a crucial role in facilitating trade, enforcing import and export regulations, and improving the ease of doing business.
According to him, the Apapa Command has continued to enhance Customs clearance processes, reduce delays, and embrace technological innovations, including the deployment of ICT tools and fast-track procedures.
He noted that the new B’Odogwu platform is rapidly gaining user acceptance and is already having a positive impact on trade facilitation.
Olomu also briefed the lawmakers on recent advancements under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Guided Trade Initiative (GTI), stating that some Nigerian companies are already exporting under the scheme.
He said the Command has migrated some of these companies to the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status, further boosting confidence and efficiency in cross-border trade.
In another milestone, Comptroller Olomu announced that the Service recently issued its first Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) under the B’Odogwu platform, describing it as a major step towards establishing an indigenously driven, ICT-backed Customs administration in Nigeria.
Responding on behalf of the lawmakers, Honourable Abejide lauded Comptroller Olomu for his ingenuity and commitment to excellence, stating that the Command’s productivity is commendable.
He pledged continued legislative support for the Customs Service, stakeholders, and licensed Customs agents.
The lawmakers also expressed satisfaction with the Command’s leadership, endorsing its drive for effective trade facilitation through technology and alignment with global best practices in Customs operations.
