Oshoba Assumes Leadership at Apapa Customs Command, Pledges Revenue Growth, Stronger Security, Stakeholder Collaboration
The newly appointed Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Apapa Command, Comptroller Oluwadare Oshoba, has officially assumed duty at Nigeria’s busiest port, promising to consolidate the Command’s record achievements in revenue collection, enforcement, and trade facilitation.
Speaking during a brief handover ceremony at the Apapa Area Command headquarters on Monday, Comptroller Oshoba expressed profound gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and the Management of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for entrusting him with the “strategic responsibility” of leading the country’s premier port.
“I assure you of my utmost commitment to justify the confidence reposed in me,” Oshoba said, noting that his leadership would be guided by three central pillars: improving revenue excellence, deepening enforcement and security, and enhancing stakeholder relations.
He paid glowing tribute to his predecessor, Assistant Comptroller-General (Dr) Babatunde Olomu, describing his tenure as “nothing short of historic.” Under Olomu’s stewardship, the Command became a benchmark for revenue generation, compliance, and operational efficiency.
Outlining his vision, Comptroller Oshoba pledged to sustain and improve the Command’s revenue collection through transparency, accountability, efficiency, and a collective approach.
He emphasised that intelligence-led enforcement would be prioritised to close operational gaps, detect concealments, and intercept prohibited goods before they could damage the economy or endanger the public.
On stakeholder engagement, he stressed that the port community – comprising importers, exporters, clearing agents, shipping companies, and partner agencies – remains a vital partner. “Trade facilitation and compliance are two sides of the same coin,” he said, promising to foster an environment of trust, dialogue, and collaboration.
Oshoba further highlighted the Service’s ongoing ICT and modernisation drive, noting that Customs operations were at a turning point. He called for collective efforts to enhance the indigenous technology platform, B’Odogwu, and push the Unified Customs Management System to greater heights.
He also reiterated commitment to flagship trade facilitation programmes such as the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO), Time Release Study (TRS), and Advanced Ruling (AR), which, he said, position the NCS as a leader among African Customs administrations.
“As Nigeria has produced the Chairperson of the World Customs Organization Council, we must set a global example by upholding compliance and ensuring unwavering adherence to legal frameworks governing import, export and excise operations,” Oshoba remarked.
The new CAC urged officers, staff, and stakeholders to renew their dedication to excellence, describing collaboration as the cornerstone of his administration.
“No one succeeds alone. We will face challenges, but we will tackle them together with resilience and determination. Every milestone we achieve will be a testament to our collective hard work and commitment,” he affirmed.
Comptroller Oshoba concluded his address with a call to consolidate gains, embrace innovation, and “write the next chapter of legacy for Apapa Command and the Nigeria Customs Service at large.”
