Apapa Customs Revenue Hits ₦303bn As Mu’azu Unveils Reforms

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, generated ₦302.95 billion in October 2026, recording a 7.13 per cent increase over the ₦282.79 billion collected in September, as the new Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Murtala Mu’azu, moves to deepen operational reforms, improve trade facilitation and strengthen enforcement at the nation’s busiest seaport.

The October revenue performance represents an increase of ₦20.16 billion over the preceding month and marks another collection above the ₦300 billion threshold, reinforcing the Command’s position as a major contributor to government revenue.

The performance came barely a month after Mu’azu assumed office on September 29, 2026, with the new controller signalling a shift towards improved service delivery, stronger stakeholder collaboration and the removal of administrative bottlenecks affecting port operations.

The Command had earlier recorded its highest-ever monthly revenue collection of over ₦323 billion in July 2026.

In his first month, Mu’azu has placed considerable emphasis on engagement with critical stakeholders in the maritime and port sectors, in alignment with the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi’s policy thrust of Consolidation, Collaboration and Innovation.

A major step in this direction was the stakeholder engagement meeting held on October 5, involving importers, exporters, licensed customs agents, shipping companies and terminal operators.

The meeting provided a platform for addressing persistent operational challenges, particularly delays in the issuance of Demand Notices, cargo clearance bottlenecks and other difficulties confronting port users.

The new controller has also embarked on courtesy visits to strategic partners and stakeholders within the port community to strengthen institutional relationships and build the cooperation required to improve the business environment.

Beyond stakeholder engagement, Mu’azu has initiated measures to streamline the processing of Transire, a move aimed at reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks, improving coordination among departments and shortening processing time.

Explaining the rationale behind the initiative, the Customs Area Controller said traders should not be made to suffer the consequences of avoidable administrative lapses and operational inefficiencies.

He said the Command was determined to identify the root causes of delays and introduce practical solutions that would promote seamless business operations without weakening regulatory compliance.

“Traders should not suffer the consequences of avoidable administrative lapses or delays. We must identify challenges, address their root causes and adopt practical solutions that will promote seamless business operations, enhance service delivery and create a more efficient trading environment,” Mu’azu said.

He stressed that the reforms were designed to ensure that officers discharged their responsibilities more efficiently while maintaining the necessary controls.

The controller has equally issued fresh directives on cargo examination, insisting that all checks must strictly follow established procedures, requisite documentation and appropriate authorisation.

He warned officers against unwarranted, repetitive and unnecessary examinations capable of frustrating legitimate transactions and increasing the cost of doing business.

Mu’azu, however, emphasised that efforts to accelerate cargo clearance must not compromise revenue protection, compliance requirements or national security.

The directives, according to the Command, are intended to improve cargo turnaround time, promote predictability in port operations and ensure compliance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

While pursuing reforms to facilitate legitimate trade, the Command has also intensified its anti-smuggling operations, intercepting 392.5 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa concealed in two separate containers during the period under review.

The seizures comprised 162 sachets weighing 125 kilogrammes in container number MSKU0486747 and another 275 sachets weighing 267.5 kilogrammes in container number TEMU6149358.

The seized narcotics have a combined Duty Paid Value of ₦196.13 million.

The consignments were intercepted during joint examinations involving relevant sister security agencies, highlighting the Command’s determination to prevent the use of the nation’s maritime gateway for the movement of prohibited substances.

The latest seizures underscore the dual responsibility confronting the Apapa Command: facilitating legitimate international trade while preventing criminal networks from exploiting the port for illicit activities.

With the October revenue figures providing an encouraging start to his tenure, Mu’azu said the Command would sustain its focus on revenue generation, enforcement and stronger partnerships with stakeholders.

The development was contained in a statement issued on Thursday, November 5, by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman, on behalf of the Customs Area Controller.

The Command maintained that its operational priorities would remain anchored on protecting government revenue and national security while creating a more efficient and business-friendly environment for traders and other port users.