Apapa Customs Command Achieves Record Revenue, Collects N1.875 Trillion in Ten Months

Apapa Customs Command Achieves Record Revenue, Collects N1.875 Trillion in Ten Months

Apapa, Lagos State - November 3, 2024*

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Apapa Command has reached a record-breaking revenue collection of N1.875 trillion from January to October 2024, marking a significant leap over last year’s figures. Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, the Area Controller of the Apapa Command, disclosed this at a recent press briefing, stating that the 2024 revenue is over double the N931.1 billion collected in the same period in 2023, reflecting a 101% increase.

Comptroller Olomu highlighted that October was a historic month, with the command generating a monthly revenue of N264.455 billion, the highest monthly total in its history. Additionally, October also witnessed the command’s highest daily collection of N18.2 billion. With this strong performance, Olomu expressed confidence that the command is on track to meet and even exceed its 2024 target of N2.2 trillion, with only N124.6 billion remaining to hit the target.

Despite a decline in trade volume, Olomu attributed the impressive revenue results to the implementation of advanced trade facilitation tools such as the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program and Advanced Ruling. He stated that these tools have enhanced the efficiency of both import and export cargo movement through the port.

“In line with the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business initiative, our command now operates on weekends to enable faster clearance and collection of cargoes,” Olomu noted. He also emphasized a collaborative, intra-governmental working system that unites various agencies within the port, ensuring seamless operations while maintaining their individual mandates. 

In a notable achievement under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, the command facilitated its first cargo shipment to Kenya last week, further bolstering trade relations within Africa.

**Anti-Smuggling Successes**

On anti-smuggling efforts, Olomu reported that the Apapa Command has made 36 significant seizures from January to October, including six containers with unwholesome and falsely declared pharmaceutical items. The seized items, which included expired medications, unregistered pharmaceutical products, and controlled substances like codeine-based cough syrups and high-dose tramadol, were handed over to the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation.

“These seizures underscore our commitment to protecting Nigerians from harmful imports,” Olomu said. “These controlled substances contravene the Common External Tariff (CET) provisions and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. Our actions reflect our duty to prevent unapproved goods from entering the market.”

The total value of seized items, which also includes frozen poultry products, used clothing, and other contraband, is estimated at over N1.5 billion.

Olomu thanked sister government agencies and private sector partners for their contributions, which he noted have been instrumental in achieving these results. He expressed optimism that the continued inter-agency collaboration would help the command maintain high levels of compliance and success.

“We owe much of today’s success to our partners, whose support has helped us achieve these record-breaking results,” he concluded.

The Apapa Customs Command remains focused on meeting and surpassing its revenue target while continuing to facilitate trade and protect the Nigerian economy from harmful imports.