Barely two months after assuming office, the Acting Controller of the Ports Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Deputy Comptroller Nura Miko, is receiving widespread commendation from port users, licensed customs agents, and officers for a series of transformative upgrades at the Command’s Customs Processing Centre (CPC).
Stakeholders describe the changes as practical, user-focused, and long overdue, saying they are already improving the daily experience of clearing goods at one of Nigeria’s busiest Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) terminals.
The upgrades include the creation of a dedicated, comfortable separate waiting area for CPC users, full renovation of all offices including the Technical Supervisor’s office, installation of a modern cloak changing room, and the establishment of a functional kitchenette that allows officers to have their meals on-site during breaks without leaving the command premises.
These interventions, among other notable improvements, are being hailed as clear evidence of responsive leadership that prioritises both operational efficiency and human welfare.
Stakeholders Pour Encomiums on DC Miko
Port users say the physical and operational enhancements have reduced congestion, improved professionalism, and created a more conducive environment for trade facilitation.
Danjuma Kabiru, a senior Licensed Customs Agent operating at PTML, told JournalNG:
“This is the kind of change we have been praying for. The separate waiting area has brought sanity to what used to be a chaotic space. Agents and importers can now wait in comfort instead of crowding corridors with documents. DC Miko has shown he understands our pain points and is moving fast to address them. This is ease of doing business in action.”
Mrs. Funke Adewale, a clearing and forwarding agent with several years of experience at the terminal, added:
“The renovated offices and the new kitchenette are game-changers. When officers have a decent workspace and can eat without travelling far, their morale improves and they process documents faster. We are already seeing the difference in turnaround time. This is leadership that cares about both the users and the officers who serve us.”
A senior Customs officer at the CPC, who spoke on condition of anonymity, commended the welfare-focused interventions:
“For those of us who have worked here for years, these changes feel refreshing. The cloak changing room adds dignity and professionalism to our operations. The kitchenette means we no longer have to rush out or skip meals during shifts. DC Miko has shown genuine concern for officer welfare in a very short time. We are motivated to give our best.”
Mr. Samuel Obi, a freight forwarding practitioner linked the upgrades directly to the Command’s broader efficiency goals:
“DC Miko promised to break the existing two-hour clearance record by ensuring compliant RoRo importers clear their goods within one hour. These CPC improvements — better waiting facilities, renovated workspaces, and officer welfare — are the foundation for that promise. When the environment is right and officers are supported, faster clearance becomes achievable. PTML users are optimistic. This is the kind of reform that reduces demurrage costs and strengthens Nigeria’s competitiveness as a maritime nation.”
Background and Vision
Deputy Comptroller Nura Ibrahim Miko formally assumed duty as Acting Customs Area Controller of PTML Command on May 25, 2026. A highly regarded officer with a strong track record in revenue administration, he previously served as Deputy Comptroller in charge of Revenue at the Apapa Area Command, where his team uncovered significant unpaid duties and earned him a Certificate of Excellence from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
Since taking over PTML — West Africa’s largest multipurpose RoRo terminal — DC Miko has prioritised stakeholder engagement, due process, and practical reforms aimed at faster cargo clearance without compromising compliance or revenue. The CPC upgrades align with his stated commitment to consolidate gains while introducing measures that make trade facilitation more efficient and user-friendly.
As commendations continue to flow from across the port community, stakeholders say the visible transformation at the CPC signals a new era of responsive and detail-oriented leadership at PTML Command. They expressed hope that the momentum will be sustained, leading to measurable improvements in clearance times, reduced dwell time for vehicles and RoRo consignments, and an overall boost to ease of doing business at the nation’s premier vehicle import terminal.
DC Miko’s approach — combining infrastructural improvements with a clear promise of one-hour clearance for compliant importers — is being viewed as a model for other commands seeking to balance officer welfare, stakeholder satisfaction, and operational excellence.
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