When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved a one-year extension for Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi in mid-2025, the decision reflected more than a desire for continuity. It was a recognition of solid reform, institutional results, and a leadership style committed to transforming the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) from within. And nowhere has this transformation been more evident than at the Apapa Command — the flagship port, and now a symbol of customs modernization.
Under the direction of CGC Adeniyi, Apapa Command has become a critical proof point for customs reform. The command’s leadership, notably through Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, PhD, has demonstrated how focused stewardship can align with national economic goals and regulatory integrity.
A Record-Breaking Performance In Revenue Generation
In just six months under Olomu’s leadership, Apapa Command broke revenue records with a staggering ₦2.357 trillion collected in 2024 alone. October 2024 marked an all-time monthly high of ₦264.5 billion. As of July 2025, the command had already pulled in over ₦1.5 trillion, putting it on track to surpass its annual target. These achievements directly fueled national revenue inflows and validated CGC Adeniyi’s strategy of performance-driven leadership.
Leading The Anti-Smuggling War
Beyond revenue, Apapa Command has emerged as a frontline force in Nigeria’s fight against smuggling. Between January and June 2025, 27 containers filled with contraband — from unregistered pharmaceuticals to stolen vehicles and exotic animal skins — were seized, valued at over ₦9.27 billion. In July alone, 25 more containers were intercepted, 21 of which were laden with unsafe drugs, raising public health concerns and emphasizing the Command’s dual role in economic and moral protection.
Trade Facilitation And Global Standards
Comptroller Olomu has also championed trade facilitation initiatives in line with global benchmarks. These include the adoption of Authorized Economic Operators (AEO), Advanced Ruling systems, and intra-agency collaborations. Apapa Command’s support for Nigeria’s first AfCFTA shipment to Kenya positioned the port as a vital continental trade hub. Weekend operations and dispute resolution mechanisms have further reduced delays and improved transparency.
Digitization And Customs Modernization
Replicating CGC Adeniyi’s digital transformation drive, Olomu implemented ICT-based cargo profiling and blockchain-powered clearance systems at the command level. These tools have streamlined operations, reduced human interference, and curbed corruption.
Stakeholder Engagement And Institutional Trust
Olomu’s tenure has also emphasized collaboration — from regular meetings with terminal operators and freight forwarders to refresher trainings for customs personnel. His leadership fostered a transparent environment where public trust in the Service has steadily increased. The establishment of a Trade Dispute Resolution Desk and steps toward reviving rail cargo movement reflect a commitment to long-term systemic change.
Apapa’s CSR And Public Health Responsibility
Although less publicized, the Command’s corporate social responsibility has included open-door policies, community engagement, and an unrelenting focus on protecting Nigerian lives through health-related enforcement actions. These efforts reflect the CGC’s broader vision of customs as a moral and economic institution.
Recognition And Reform Consolidation
For its achievements, Apapa Command won the CGC Best Command Award in Trade Facilitation and the Overall Best Command in Revenue Generation in 2024. These accolades reinforced the notion that Adeniyi’s modernization strategy was not just effective, but essential.
Why Adeniyi’s Tenure Extension Matters
President Tinubu’s decision to extend CGC Adeniyi’s tenure was grounded in the belief that reform must be sustained, not just initiated. Apapa Command’s performance under Comptroller Olomu proved that Adeniyi’s policies were working — delivering real, measurable impact.
A Partnership Driving Change
Together, Adeniyi and Olomu have exemplified a synergy that blends policy with practice. While the CGC charts the reform vision at the top, Apapa Command has become the engine room where that vision is implemented. The results—record revenue, credible enforcement, and stakeholder trust—speak volumes.
As the Nigeria Customs Service marches further into a new era of modernization, Apapa remains not just a command, but a symbol of what focused leadership and strategic alignment can achieve.