Half Year Performance Report: Apapa Customs Records Spectacular Feat with Record-Breaking N1.3Tr Revenue Collection
… Showcases N9.2Bn Seizures, Shuts 3 Bonded Terminals for Various Infringements
Comptroller Babatunde Olomu PhD, CAC, Apapa Area Command, NCS
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Premier Command has indeed continued to lead the operational pack in grand style, with persistent record-breaking feats, as the command yet again reeled out another unmatched record of performance never before attained in history for its 2025 half year report.
Under the watch of Comptroller Babatunde Olomu PhD, the present Customs Area Controller, the revenue collection trajectory of the command has assumed a dramatic surge with spectacular collections never before envisaged, while its anti-smuggling campaign mandate has as well posited massive record of offensive and contraband seizures.
While briefing the media and invited stakeholders yesterday July 03, 2025 at the Command’s Apapa headquarters on its half year performance achievement, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu PhD, disclosed a staggering revenue collection of One trillion, three hundred and seventy-eight billion, fifty-nine million, nineteen thousand, two hundred and forty-five naira, twenty kobo (N1,378,059,019,245.20).
According to him, the collection represents 35% increase above One trillion, twenty-three billion, six hundred and sixty-three million, eight hundred and forty-two thousand, two hundred and fifty-five naira, sixty-three kobo (N1,023,663,842,255.63) that was collected in the same period of 2024, thus marking a differential collection increase of N354 billion within the period under review.
“The first half of 2025 has been very eventful and engaging, featuring our drive for revenue collection, trade facilitation, and anti-smuggling. Our enhanced stakeholder engagement, deployment of ICT, port user compliance and uncompromising disposition of our officers and men culminated into better achievements for us, in line with the CGC’s policy thrust”, the CAC said.
He however attributed the collection to the diligent officers and compliant traders of the command.
“On my watch and under the direction of the CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, psc (+), we have always insisted on maximum collection of government revenue by preventing leakages and applying demand notices (DN) where and when necessary.
Cross session of stakeholders at the briefing
“Our revenue collection trajectory points to the possibility of achieving or surpassing our annual target by the end of 2025.I have urged my officers and men to brace up and redouble their efforts to make surpassing target a reality”, Olomu enthused.
The command under the watch of the erudite Olomu leadership also performed creditably in its Anti-Smuggling campaign mandate as the CAC revealed a never before attained massive seizure of unwholesome contraband goods worth Nine billion, two sixty-seven million, four hundred and forty-three thousand, nine hundred and sixty-six naira (N9,267,443,966.00) Duty Paid Value (DPV) between January-June 2025.
The Seized Animal Skins
Another significant feat in the enforcement efforts of the command during this period as a fallout of uncompromising anti-smuggling operations stance, was having three (3) bonded terminals under the command sealed for various infractions. The Area Controller further said that one of the terminals has been charged to court for prosecution while investigation is still ongoing on the remaining two terminals.
The contraband seizure involved twenty-seven (27) containers which included Nine (9) containers of unregistered pharmaceuticals, used clothing, expired margarine, wild animals’ skin, and codeine syrup that were said to have seized few days ago and were showcased to the media during the briefing.
The breakdown of the container seizures is inclusive of 10 containers of unregistered pharmaceuticals, 2 containers of codeine syrup,2 containers of stolen vehicles, 4 containers of second-hand clothing, amongst others.
Some of the container seizures
Comptroller Olomu also said that the seizures are a fallout of our efforts at preventing Nigerians from unwholesome foods and drugs, stopping illicit trade and protecting our local industries.
“As a standard, we will never compromise the health, well-being, safety of Nigerians on the altar of trade facilitation. Every consignment passing through our port undergo diligent check through scanning and physical examination when required.
“Unregistered pharmaceuticals is most prominent on the list of twenty-eight (28) seizures made by the command during the period under review. The seizures comprise of controlled drugs, used clothes, codeine syrup, wild animals’ skin and other sundry items.
“It is pertinent to note that trafficking of wild animals contravenes the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), of which Nigeria is a signatory. Equally, on the detention list is a container of matches imported without the required End User Certificate (EUC) as provided for in our extant laws.
“As a fallout from our uncompromising anti-smuggling operations, we have sealed 3 bonded terminals under the command for various infractions. One of the terminals has been charged to court for prosecution while an investigation is still ongoing on the remaining two terminals”, the elated CAC said.
Olomu however used the medium to for the umpteemed time warn perpetrators to desist from such illegal acts, noting that Apapa Port Command is manned by eagle-eyed officers, who are activated to detect and seize uncustomed goods with a clear mandate to arrest perpetrators.
“We have demonstrated our capacity in this regard, and we shall continue to do more”, he said.
Meanwhile, the Trade Facilitation mandate of the command have assumed another dimension, as the CAC noted that, the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS) also known as B’Odogwu has gone live in the Apapa Command with laudable milestones.
He pointed that, in addition to the issuance of the Pre Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) being issued using the homegrown technology, the command have achieved issuance of the first Single Goods Declaration on the 9th of May 2025 using the B’Odogwu platform, and which marks a significant shift towards faster, more reliable cargo handling.
Furthermore, Comptroller Olomu said the command have created a robust platform that facilitates trade and ensures the swift clearance of cargo. He thus noted that “We are addressing challenges such as poor network connectivity, delays, and congestion associated with the former system”.
Another notable point of the CAC from the press conference was the talks which he said has been opened with officials of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and other stakeholders from various associations, under the guidance of the CGC, on developing a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the movement of goods by rail from Apapa Port to other states.
He however said, “I am pleased to express that the talks have shown prospects for success with pledges of support and anticipation for robust participation by all concerned.
“This effort to revive cargo movement by rail aims to decongest the port, reduce pressure on the Apapa roads and provide a viable and cost-effective option of cargo movement to our importers, exporters, freight forwarding practitioners, haulage operators and licensed customs agents”, Olomu said.
Comptroller Babatunde Olomu PhD also used the press briefing opportunity to acknowledge and commend other sister government agencies for their support. He said, the command has always enjoyed their robust intelligence sharing and joint consultations towards national security. “Our togetherness has always stood as great blows to criminals and their activities. We shall continue strengthening the bond”, he noted.
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