The Apapa Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has set a new revenue collection record, generating ₦18.9 billion in a single day on Friday, March 14, 2025. This milestone surpasses the previous record of ₦18.2 billion set in October 2024, marking a significant achievement for the command.
Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, fsi, Ph.D, the Area Controller of the Apapa Command, attributed this feat to the dedication of officers, sustained compliance measures, and industrial harmony within the port. He also credited the unwavering support of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, as a driving force behind the accomplishment.
According to Olomu, the command’s proactive engagements with stakeholders played a crucial role in ensuring smooth operations at the port. Acting under the CGC’s directives, he led high-level discussions with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to address challenges related to the Eto’o call-up system, which had previously caused severe traffic gridlock along the Apapa Port corridor.
Additionally, the Controller intervened in a dispute between maritime workers, freight forwarders, and APM Terminals, preventing a planned withdrawal of services that could have disrupted port activities. His swift actions helped maintain seamless import and export operations, ensuring business continuity.
Speaking on the significance of the achievement, Olomu emphasized the critical role of ports in national and global trade.
“Ports are critical national assets with direct impacts on the economy, touching on local and global trade. It is, therefore, imperative to keep the ports working, especially Apapa Port, which accounts for the highest volume of cargoes coming into Nigeria,” he said.
He also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to upholding the CGC’s vision of fostering robust stakeholder engagement to enhance port efficiency.
“It is heartwarming to note that our intervention succeeded in promoting uninterrupted trade and strengthening port users’ confidence,” he added.
Olomu assured that the command remains vigilant in its fight against smuggling and other forms of duty evasion, including concealment, under-declaration, and false declaration.
“Our record-breaking achievement of ₦18.9 billion daily collection is just the beginning of greater exploits to be attained this year,” he said.
The Apapa Command continues to play a pivotal role in Nigeria’s revenue generation, contributing significantly to the nation’s economic growth.