Seme Customs Generates N3.4bn in February as Agro-Trade Boom Drives Revenue Surge
The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has recorded an unprecedented revenue haul of N3.48 billion within the first weeks of February 2026, signalling a sharp rise in cross-border commercial activity along Nigeria’s western frontier.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, disclosed the figure during a stakeholders’ engagement forum held in Badagry, noting that the month’s earnings had already surpassed the total for the same period last year.
According to Adenuga, the Command generated N3,480,970,924.67 before February ended, compared with N743,698,652.16 recorded in February 2025. He attributed the dramatic increase largely to improved trade facilitation measures and growing confidence among traders operating along the Seme–Krake border route.
He said the data demonstrates that commercial flows in the corridor are strengthening as compliance improves and border processes become more efficient.
The announcement was made at a regional forum organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in partnership with the ECOWAS Commission and GIZ International under the theme “Empowering Cross-Border Traders through Trade Information Desk for Agricultural Traders.”
Adenuga represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, at the meeting, which drew traders, farmers and logistics stakeholders from across the region.
The Customs chief explained that the reduction of checkpoints along the Seme–Gbaji axis has played a key role in boosting trade volumes. He clarified that only Agbara and Gbaji remain officially approved Customs checkpoints on the strategic Lagos-Abidjan corridor, a development he said resulted from coordinated efforts among security agencies working along the route.
He also linked the improved commercial climate to enhanced border security coordination. Monthly joint meetings involving Customs and other enforcement agencies, he said, have strengthened intelligence-sharing mechanisms, reduced crime levels and created a safer operating environment for legitimate traders.
Despite the strong focus on revenue and trade facilitation, Adenuga emphasised that enforcement remains central to the Command’s mandate. He revealed that officers recently intercepted a Toyota Highlander transporting 22 packages of cocaine with an estimated street value exceeding N1 billion, an operation made possible through credible intelligence supplied by Customs headquarters. In a separate anti-smuggling drive this month, operatives seized 1,000 bags of 50-kg parboiled rice, reinforcing the agency’s resolve to curb illicit imports.
The Controller reiterated that the Command would continue collaborating with traders, farmers, security agencies and regional partners to sustain momentum in lawful commerce while safeguarding Nigeria’s economic borders.
He stressed that the dual strategy of facilitation and enforcement is designed to ensure that legitimate trade thrives while criminal networks are systematically dismantled.
