Apapa Customs Sets New Record With ₦18.9b Daily Collection
Lagos, March 17, 2025 – The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has achieved a groundbreaking milestone, recording its highest-ever daily revenue collection of ₦18.9 billion on Friday, March 14, 2025. This surpasses the previous record of ₦18.2 billion set in October 2024.
Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, fsi, Ph.D, the Area Controller of the Command, hailed the achievement as a testament to officers' dedication, sustained compliance culture, and improved industrial harmony within Apapa Port. He attributed the success to the unwavering support of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR.
Stakeholder Engagement and Port Operations Stability
Comptroller Olomu, following the directives of the CGC, played a crucial role in fostering collaboration between the NCS and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). This partnership led to the resolution of persistent challenges with port users and truckers concerning the Eto'o call-up system, which had previously caused severe traffic congestion along the Apapa Port corridor.
In a proactive move, the Customs boss also intervened in a brewing crisis that could have led to a withdrawal of services by maritime workers and freight forwarders over disputes with APM Terminals. His swift action averted a potential shutdown, ensuring seamless import and export activities and maintaining the command’s productivity.
Commitment to Economic Growth and Anti-Smuggling Efforts
Speaking on the record-breaking revenue collection, Comptroller Olomu emphasized the strategic importance of ports to Nigeria’s economy, particularly Apapa Port, which handles the highest volume of cargo in the country.
“In line with the CGC’s vision of fostering robust stakeholder engagement, we intervened in disputes involving sister government agencies, terminal operators, and other stakeholders. Our efforts have promoted uninterrupted trade and strengthened port users’ confidence,” he stated.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to surpassing this achievement in the months ahead while intensifying efforts to curb smuggling and revenue leakages through detection of concealments, under-declaration, false declaration, and other forms of duty evasion.
With this historic feat, the Apapa Command is poised for even greater exploits in 2025, reinforcing its role as a critical revenue-generating hub for Nigeria.
SC Tunde Ayagbalo
Public Relations Officer
Apapa Area Command
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