Apapa Customs Generates ₦302bn in October 2026 as New Controller Drives Reforms, Intensifying Collaboration
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Apapa Area Command generated ₦302.95 billion in revenue in October 2026, marking a solid month-on-month increase and continued strong performance under its new leadership.
The Command collected ₦302,952,570,769.24 in October, up ₦20,161,430,521.84 — or about 7.13 per cent — from the ₦282,791,140,247.40 recorded in September. The figure keeps the Command above the ₦300 billion threshold and follows its record collection of more than ₦323 billion in July 2026. Officials attribute the sustained performance to ongoing efforts to boost revenue generation while facilitating legitimate trade.
Comptroller Murtala Mu’azu assumed duty as Customs Area Controller on 29 September 2026. In his first month, he has prioritised stakeholder engagement, operational efficiency and improved service delivery in line with the policy direction of Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, which emphasises consolidation, collaboration and innovation.
This was contained in a press release issued in Lagos by Isah Suleiman, Customs Public Relations Officer for the command.
On 5 October 2026, Mu’azu convened a stakeholder engagement meeting that brought together importers, exporters, licensed Customs agents, shipping companies and terminal operators. The meeting focused on operational challenges such as delays in Demand Notices, cargo clearance bottlenecks and other concerns raised by port users. Beyond the meeting, the Controller has paid courtesy visits to key stakeholders and strategic partners within the port community. These steps form part of a deliberate effort to strengthen institutional relationships, promote mutual understanding and create a more conducive business environment.
Suleiman,a Chief Superintendent of Customs stated further in the release that a key operational focus has been the review and streamlining of Transire processing. The initiative aims to remove unnecessary bureaucratic bottlenecks, improve inter-departmental coordination and cut processing times while retaining essential compliance and control measures.
Muazu in the release stated “Under my leadership, the Command has intensified efforts to review and streamline the processing of Transire, with a view to eliminating unnecessary bureaucratic bottlenecks, improving inter-departmental coordination and reducing processing time,” Mu’azu said. “This initiative seeks to ensure that the various offices involved discharge their responsibilities more efficiently, while maintaining the necessary compliance and control measures.”
He added that the drive is rooted in a commitment to trade facilitation: “This initiative is also driven by my commitment to trade facilitation and the need to address operational inefficiencies that could subject traders to unnecessary delays and hardship. 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 has also directed that cargo examinations must follow extant procedures and be backed by the required documentation and authorisation. He has cautioned officers against unwarranted, repetitive or unnecessary checks that could frustrate legitimate transactions, while stressing that examinations should not themselves become a source of avoidable delays. Officers have been instructed to act promptly and professionally without compromising compliance, revenue protection or national security. The directives are intended to speed up cargo clearance, improve turnaround times and foster a more predictable trading environment, in full accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023. Coordination among relevant departments and port stakeholders is also being strengthened to tackle bottlenecks affecting cargo movement.
On the enforcement front, officers intercepted 437 sachets of Cannabis Sativa weighing 392.5 kilogrammes in two separate containers during the period under review. One seizure involved 162 sachets weighing 125 kilogrammes in container MSKU0486747; the other involved 275 sachets weighing 267.5 kilogrammes in container TEMU6149358. The combined Duty Paid Value of the seized narcotics is ₦196,131,606.82. The consignments were jointly examined with sister agencies, underscoring the Command’s determination to prevent the use of Nigeria’s maritime gateway for illicit trade and to protect public health and national security.
The Apapa Area Command has restated its commitment to consolidating revenue performance, strengthening enforcement and building stronger partnerships with stakeholders. Under Comptroller Mu’azu’s leadership, the Command says it will continue to pursue a balanced approach that safeguards government revenue and national security while creating an enabling environment for legitimate trade and economic growth.
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