Apapa Customs Records Historic ₦323bn Revenue in July

By Adebola Muili

The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded its highest-ever monthly revenue of ₦323 billion in July 2026, surpassing the previous record of ₦304 billion achieved by the Command in October 2025.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, disclosed this on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at the Command’s monthly meeting with Deputy Comptrollers of Terminals and Unit Heads.

Oshoba attributed the record performance to the combined impact of operational reforms, improved compliance, policy support and the relative stability in the foreign exchange market.

The CAC also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the management of the Service for their commitment to modernising the NCS, saying the reforms had streamlined operations and provided clearer direction for personnel.

“We recognise and acknowledge the CGC’s devotion and dedication to the modernisation project of the Nigerian Customs Service. The management team has introduced several innovations that have streamlined our activities and given us clear direction,” he said.

According to Oshoba, the improved performance of the B’Odogwu system, the One-Stop Shop (OSS) initiative and the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) framework have contributed significantly to the Command’s revenue growth.

He said the AEO framework, which currently has more than 200 beneficiaries, had positively impacted the Command’s revenue profile, while the OSS initiative had accelerated cargo delivery and created a more predictable business environment for legitimate importers.

The CAC further said intelligence-driven enforcement had strengthened compliance, with officers intensifying interventions against false declarations and other practices capable of undermining government revenue.

He particularly credited the business environment created by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, especially the relative stability in the foreign exchange market, with boosting confidence among importers and other operators.

Oshoba explained that a more predictable forex regime had enabled businesses to plan better, make informed decisions and conduct trade with greater confidence.

He, however, challenged officers to look beyond routine revenue generation and identify the value they were adding through interventions and improved service delivery.

“In your Area of Responsibility, you must ask yourself, apart from the normal revenue generated by your Unit, what is your own contribution in terms of intervention? What have I added?” he asked.

The CAC also directed officers to sustain the Command’s focus on trade facilitation and ease of doing business, urging them to resolve disputes promptly, ensure proper documentation and adhere to the Post Clearance Audit (PCA) process where necessary.

On stakeholder relations, Oshoba charged officers to build trust through professionalism, respect and collaboration.

“When you interact with stakeholders, let them leave your office with hope rather than despair. As a leader, do not allow anyone who comes to you to depart feeling hopeless or depressed. Give people hope,” he said.

He acknowledged the cooperation of stakeholders and sister agencies, noting that their support had improved compliance and brought greater sanity to the business environment.

The CAC urged personnel to uphold transparency and discipline, remain abreast of evolving digital processes and engage in continuous training, while also encouraging them to seek guidance from more experienced colleagues when necessary.

He described effective leadership as a collective responsibility and charged Staff Officers to support Deputy Controllers in maintaining discipline and fostering a healthy work environment.

Oshoba further directed the various units to heighten security consciousness, strengthen supervision and ensure strict compliance with approved procedures.

While commending officers and compliant stakeholders for the record revenue collection, the CAC described the achievement as a stepping stone to further breakthroughs before the end of 2026.