Nwala Emerges Acting Customs Controller for C’River, Calabar FTZ, Akwa Ibom

… Promises to Strengthen Revenue Collection

Deputy Comptroller Nkiru Nwala has assumed duty as Acting Customs Area Controller of Customs in charge of the Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, after a formal handover and takeover ceremony at Customs House, Calabar.

Nwala thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and the Service management for the confidence placed in her. She described the Command as strategically important, with responsibility for a major seaport, the Free Trade Zone, international border operations and commercial corridors across Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.

She said her tenure will be guided by four priorities: revenue and compliance, trade facilitation, border and economic security, and professionalism and partnership.

Nwala pledged to strengthen revenue collection in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, encourage voluntary compliance and ease legitimate trade, while enforcing the law against smuggling and other threats to Nigeria’s economic and security interests, especially along the Mfum–Ekok border corridor.

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She called for closer collaboration with sister government and security agencies, traditional institutions, the Nigerian Ports Authority, Free Trade Zone operators, licensed customs agents, businesses and other stakeholders. Effective customs administration, she said, depends on partnership built on fairness, transparency, mutual respect and compliance with the law.

Nwala acknowledged the work of her predecessor, Comptroller Momodu Giwah Dauda, and said she would build on existing gains while seeking stronger revenue performance, more responsive trade facilitation, firmer enforcement and better stakeholder engagement.

She asked officers, stakeholders and host communities for their support, and said she would serve with integrity, facilitate legitimate trade, protect Nigeria’s borders and safeguard the nation’s economic and security interests.

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