Comptroller Olanrewaju Abdulwahab Olumoh the Area Controller of Lagos Free Zone Command has charged the 34 newly promoted officers of the command to view their promotion as a renewed commitment to serving the nation, and to reaffirm their devotion to upholding the values and principles of the Nigeria Customs Service.
He made this charge while delivering his speech at the commemoration of the 2025 International Customs Day and decoration ceremony for newly promoted officers of the command on Tuesday 28th January, 2025.
In his remarks, Comptroller Olumoh highlighted the significance of International Customs Day, which is celebrated annually on January 26. He noted that the day provides an opportunity to honor respected personnel and highlight the significant roles of member nations in achieving the goals set by the World Customs Organization (WCO).
While highlighting the NCS’s commitment to efficiency, security, and prosperity, which is in line with the theme of this year’s International Customs Day: “Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security, and Prosperity.” He stated that under the leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Lagos Free Zone Command has been working tirelessly to support the Service by undergoing a strategic transformation to effectively engage with the global trading community by enhancing trade facilitation to boost revenue generation and national security.
Comptroller Olumoh disclosed that the command has made significant strides in promoting efficiency and security by leveraging technology to scan a large number of cargoes in the port and free zones, making cargo clearance faster and more efficient.
Speaking further, he announced that last year, the command exceeded its revenue target of N144 billion by generating N358 billion, representing a 150% increase over the previous year and attributed the success to the command’s commitment to efficiency and its ability to attract businesses and investments to Nigeria.
In pursuit of enhanced efficiency, Olumoh said that last year, several officers were given the opportunity to participate in international trainings where they shared best practices with customs administrations from other countries as the exposure has enabled them to stay abreast of global trends and standards, ultimately enriching the quality of the NCS within the command.
The command also collaborated with other agencies, such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), to intercept illicit drugs and unauthorized pharmaceutical products.
“Every 26th of January is set aside by the World Customs Organisation (WCO) to celebrate Customs administrations. The uniqueness of the day lies on the chance it provides to honour our respected personnel and highlight the significant roles of member nations in achieving the goals set by the WCO.
“Driven by the need to position the Nigeria Customs Service well to meet the challenges and opportunities of the modern global trading community as well as driving the economic agenda of the present administration, the focal point of the service under the leadership of the CGC, centres on building a virile resilient and purposeful Customs Service that would help.
“Regarding efficiency, a large number of our cargoes in the port and free zones are being scanned, making cargo clearance faster in this corridor. Our port is blessed with fixed, mobile, and gantry scanners, unarguably the only one in the country at the moment. This has significantly reduced clearance time, minimises delays that may be associated with physical inspections, and brings about increased efficiency in our operations. The Customs administration under the good leadership of the CGC is supporting our drive in the command to make our operations be in tandem with International Best practices.
“Last year, this command not only met its revenue target of N144 billion but surpassed it by generating the sum of N358 billion. This represent over 150% to what was collected in 2024. On our commitment to security, we realise this is a collective responsibility and the Customs Service believes it cannot do it alone and needs to collaborate with other agencies. Through credible intelligence gathered by the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) and other critical partners notably, NDLEA, NAFDAC, we successfully intercepted 3 containers of illicit drugs and unauthorised pharmaceutical products .
“I urge the newly promoted officers to see this elevation as a call to service, an avenue for them to renew their pledge of loyalty, support and dedication to the service of our fatherland with a view to making the NCS attain its overriding goal of national prosperity.”
