Seme customs hits N7.9bn non-oil exports in one month, posts 182% revenue jump

By Ezurike Ugochukwu 

The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, has recorded a significant milestone in non-oil export facilitation, generating a Free on Board (FOB) value of N7,969,376,198.78 in one month.

This achievement as revealed reflects Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi’s vision and reform-driven philosophy of promoting legitimate trade and diversifying the economy through non-oil exports.

Addressing journalists, Customs Area Controller of Seme Command , Comptroller Wale Adenuga, said the command facilitated the export of 53,989.46 metric tonnes of goods, comprising agricultural produce and manufactured goods.

The Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS), the charge or levy imposed on exporters by the Nigeria Customs Service or relevant authorities was N39,868,354.42.

He said, “This development demonstrates the renewed confidence of exporters in the Seme Command as a viable trade hub under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS). The command’s efforts to simplify procedures, strengthen inter-agency coordination, and ensure that legitimate traders enjoy the full benefits of Customs modernization and regional integration have contributed to this achievement.”

Stating that the vision and encouragement of the CGC Adeniyi who is the number one customs officer in the world spurred the command to generate ₦1,500,029,233.88 in September far above ₦531,462,332.45 collected in August 2025 which represents an exceptional increase of over 182%.

The command generated ₦1,999,093,429.00 being total Duty Paid Value (DPV) for all seizures thereby boosting revenue above all raising it’s standard on anti-smuggling.

Comptroller Adenuga expressed concern over the deadly expired 10,000 bags of flour intercepted by the command.

The controller expressed shock on how some persons could be so callous, wicked and reckless as to import expired products, repackage them, and sell them to unsuspecting Nigerians, potentially harming their own friends and family who consume bread and other baked goods made from these products.

“During the period under review, our operatives through credible intelligence and strong inter-agency collaboration, made significant seizures notably: Five trucks conveying a total of 10,000 bags of expired flour originating from Egypt, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of One Billion, Two Hundred and Ten Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira (₦1,210,300,000.00) only, intercepted in a joint operation with NAFDAC.

“The health risks associated with consuming such expired products could have led to severe infections, food poisoning, and long-term health complications. Beyond health implications, such unwholesome goods undermine local industries and erode consumer trust.

“One thousand ne Hundred and four (1,104) parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) intercepted through actionable intelligence. The social and psychological toll of such substances on our youth can not be overstated.120 packs of tramadol 120mg seized by our operatives, with Two suspects handed over to the NDLEA, Seme Command on October 7th, 2025 for further investigation.

“Other seized items include: 2,043 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each),150 bales of second-hand clothing, 169 bottles of DSP Cough Syrup with Codeine, 5 used vehicles. The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) for all seizures stands at One Billion, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Nine Million, Ninety-Three Thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty-Nine Naira (₦1,999,093,429.00) only.

The area controller assured that collaborative effort with Benenisse customs and other agencies are beginning to yield fruit, warned, “Our position is clear along the Lagos-Abidjan that any economic resource diverted into smuggling will be a colossal waste; it will be better to channel such resources into legitimate business that could empower thousands of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and create jobs.