In a formal handover ceremony held at the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Oluwadare Oshoba officially assumed duty as the new Customs Area Controller, pledging to build on the achievements of his predecessor and further elevate the command’s strategic importance in trade facilitation and national revenue generation.
The event marked the end of a record setting tenure by Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Babatunde Olomu, fsi, Ph.D, who led the Apapa Command from May 2024 to September 2025, steering the flagship command to unprecedented revenue records and trade reform milestones.
Historic Achievements Under Olomu’s Leadership
In his farewell remarks, ACG Olomu, recently promoted from Comptroller, highlighted key achievements during his 15-month leadership, most notably the ₦2 trillion revenue milestone, the highest ever recorded by any Customs command in Nigeria.
“We achieved a record-breaking daily revenue of ₦17.9 billion in June 2024, later surpassing it with ₦18.2 billion in October and ₦18.9 billion in March 2025,” he said. “As of today, we have collected ₦1.83 trillion, which is 60% of our ₦3 trillion annual target for 2025.”
Olomu also cited the successful deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System, which enabled more efficient cargo processing despite initial technical hitches.
Under his watch, the Apapa Command also played a key role in Nigeria’s debut shipment under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in July 2024, with follow-up trade to Kenya in November, positioning Nigeria as a key player in intra-African trade.
On enforcement, he reported the seizure of 75 containers of contraband, including fake and expired pharmaceuticals, cannabis, used clothing, and controlled drugs such as codeine and tramadol, affirming the Command’s stance against illegal imports.
“We made it clear to smugglers that Apapa Port is a no-go area for illegality,” Olomu said.
He ended his remarks by urging stakeholders to offer even greater support to his successor, describing Comptroller Oshoba as a “capable and distinguished officer” poised to sustain and exceed the command’s momentum.
OSHOBA’S VISION: Revenue Excellence, Security, and Stakeholder Trust
In his inaugural speech, Comptroller Oshoba expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and the Customs management for the opportunity to lead the country’s busiest port command.
“Apapa Port is not just a port, it is the heartbeat of Nigeria’s maritime trade. I do not take lightly the responsibility placed on me,” Oshoba said.
Outlining his three-pronged leadership agenda, he pledged to focus on:
1. Improving Revenue Excellence – by deepening transparency, accountability, and operational efficiency.
2. Deepening Enforcement and Security – through intelligence-driven strategies to detect and prevent illicit trade.
3. Enhancing Stakeholder Relations – fostering trust and cooperation with importers, agents, terminal operators, and sister agencies.
Oshoba emphasized that trade facilitation and compliance would remain core pillars of the command’s operations.
He also committed to pushing the modernization agenda of the NCS, especially through the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS) and other trade facilitation initiatives like the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO), Time Release Study (TRS), and Advanced Ruling (AR) programs.
“We will build on the gains of the B’Odogwu platform and transform Apapa into an ecosystem of rapid innovation and operational excellence,” he noted.
A Transition Rooted In Continuity And Progress
The transition of leadership comes at a critical time for the NCS as it consolidates digital reforms and prepares for deeper integration with global customs practices. Both Olomu and Oshoba highlighted Nigeria’s recent elevation on the international stage with the appointment of a Nigerian as Chairperson of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council.
“This places a spotlight on us globally. We must lead by example,” Oshoba said.
The event was attended by senior Customs officers, terminal operators, shipping companies, licensed agents, sister agencies, and members of the press.
As the leadership baton changes hands, all eyes remain on the Apapa Command, the nerve centre of Nigeria’s port operations to continue driving excellence in revenue, enforcement, and trade facilitation under its new helmsman.