Story by Andrew Utulu
The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a remarkable achievement of huge revenue generation to the tune of N1.378 trillion to the Federal Government coffers between January and June 2025.
Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, Customs Area Controller (CAC), of Command disclosed this during a working visit to the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) in Lagos.
Olomu who also visited the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), and was showered with encomiums by ANLCA members, attributed the impressive revenue recorded to strategic partnerships with key industry stakeholders.
He commended the Associations for their unwavering support towards the reform agenda of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. .
He emphasized the crucial role stakeholders’ collaboration play in the ongoing Customs modernization drive, highlighting initiatives like the B’Odogwu platform.
He debunked the insinuation of delays in clearance of cargoes in his command.
He equally, while responding to questions fielded by freight forwarders, said there was nothing like “borrowed officer” in his command.
“Let me start with the first question while I will allow my DC Revenue here to answer the second question. First of all, I don’t have any borrowed officer at my command.
“Probably the gentleman who asked the question will see me in the office and provide more details. I’m not aware of any borrowed officer, so we don’t have that. Also, the issue about delays at the gate.
“I think he must be talking in the past. We don’t have such delays any longer. At a point in time, there were some little delays, but as we speak, I’m not aware of any delays anymore.
“I recall I circulated my number at the various stakeholders’ meetings we’ve had, that anybody having any issue within the command should call me or send me a text. And I’ve received and treated so many, because our doors are open. So, why would you go and spend 10 hours? I’m not aware of such.
So, if you have such, for avoidance of doubt, if you have your vital paper, take down my number. It’s 0334 56 81839. I pick all calls.
I answer all calls. So if you have such issues, please make it known to us. So I’ll permit my DC Revenue to answer the question now.”
Earlier, NAGAFF Founder, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, praised Olomu’s leadership style, noting a significant reduction in cases of harassment and inspection-related disputes at the port.
Aniebonam described the current era as, “new and promising” for freight forwarding at Apapa Port, attributing the success to improved professionalism and smoother operations under Olomu’s leadership.
He said: “I’d rather work inside than outside. And that’s as much as I can do. Because when you see a winning team, you don’t have anything against it or to add.
Now, why do I say so? When the former Comptroller General of Customs visited here, I mean, Ali, I asked him one question. I said, if a consignment undergoes normal process of cargo clearance at the Customs Control room, it gets outside. Either Customs, Police or Federal Operations of Customs will pick it up.
When they pick it up and go to their command and do second examination. They will say that, no, what you released is not what they’re seeing.
I asked the CG what was wrong. The issue of connivance comes into play, compromise. I am worried.
I’m bothered, but there is good news. What is the good news? The good news, I can testify, I’m at the same time saying there is a great improvement.
“Most times, I’m up at 3am, 4am, in the morning. This is because , either here in the village junction or the border or within the town there is a problem.
“And I kept intervening. But the good news is, since you took command, I can tell you authoritatively that unprofessional conduct has ceased. And I guess that’s why you’re making all the revenue.
“You know, when you open your container, you will see what is inside. That, if it’s a traded consignment, can be taken out. And it’s done.
“The cargo will be safe. The license will be safe. The officer, everything will be safe.
“I will only say to you, continue with that, you remember the first day I came to your office. The only thing is that you will make impact and not only to get the revenue, but also to go and sleep.
This is because you know what was released.
Also, NAGAFF President, Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, applauded Olomu’s visit as a demonstration of renewed commitment to trust, collaboration, and progress.
He urged freight forwarders to adopt transparency and accurate documentation, stressing that the success of the destination inspection regime depends heavily on honest cargo declarations.
The Apapa Customs Command’s impressive revenue collection and stakeholder endorsement are testaments to Olomu’s effective leadership and the NCS’s commitment to reform.
As the command continues to drive growth and development, stakeholders look forward to a brighter future for the nation’s port operations, he added.
