Seme Customs strengthens AfCFTA, ETLS trade facilitation efforts, records 448% revenue growth

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Nigeria Customs Service(NCS), Seme Area Command, says it is strengthening trade facilitation efforts under the African Continental Free Trade Area and the Economic Community of West African States Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), even as the command recorded a 448 per cent increase in revenue generation within two months.

Customs Area Controller(CAC) of the command, Abdullahi Kaila, disclosed this during a media briefing held at the command headquarters in Seme, Lagos State this Monday 25, May 2026.

According to him, the command generated N9.79 billion between March and May 2026, compared to N2.18 billion recorded within the corresponding period in 2025.

Kaila attributed the sharp increase in revenue to stronger compliance mechanisms, enhanced operational efficiency, improved stakeholder cooperation, intensified anti-revenue leakage strategies, and the deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System.

The Customs controller said the Seme border corridor remains one of Nigeria’s most strategic trade gateways due to its critical role in regional commerce and cross-border movement under ECOWAS and AfCFTA frameworks.

He explained that the command had intensified engagement with freight forwarders, licensed customs agents, transport unions, exporters, importers, and other border stakeholders to simplify trade processes and improve compliance.

According to him, regular consultations and interface meetings with stakeholders have helped reduce operational bottlenecks, strengthen mutual trust, and improve cargo clearance procedures along the Nigeria–Benin Republic corridor.

Kaila noted that the command was also supporting Small and Medium Enterprises seeking access to regional and international markets by providing guidance on export documentation and regulatory compliance procedures.

“These initiatives are directly aligned with the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda, promotion of non-oil exports, and ongoing efforts to improve Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business ranking,” he stated.

Industry stakeholders have repeatedly identified the Seme border as a key trade route capable of driving Nigeria’s regional export expansion under AfCFTA if operational bottlenecks, smuggling activities, and infrastructure challenges are properly addressed.

Kaila stressed that while the command remained committed to facilitating legitimate trade, it would continue to intensify enforcement against smuggling and other illicit cross-border activities capable of undermining the economy.

As part of ongoing anti-smuggling operations, the command intercepted several prohibited items within the review period, including 1,000 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, unregistered pharmaceutical products, including codeine-based cough syrups and sexual enhancement drugs without certification from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

The products seized include one carton containing 55 bottles of Ultimate Plus Maca Syrup (100ml each), 88 packs of 99 Bullets Herbal Medicine (30ml each), 10 cartons of Ultimate Plus Maca Sildenafil Citrate 200mg, 14 cartons of Super Sexy Sildenafil Citrate 200mg, 14 cartons of Machine Man Sildenafil Citrate 200mg, quantities of Bottom Up Sildenafil Citrate 200mg, 100 packs of Tramaking, and 100 packs of Tempendol.

Cartons of seized foreign spaghetti

Other seized items included 2,000 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 340 kegs of foreign vegetable oil, 103 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit, 993 cartons of foreign spaghetti and 250 bales of used clothing.

The Duty Paid Value of the seizures, according to the command, stood at over N501 million.

Venga Edward Benson of NAFDAC & DCN Sulayman Ibrahim of NDLEA receiving transfer papers from CAC Kaila

The seized narcotics were handed over to Deputy Commander of Narcotics Sulayman Ibrahim, for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA), Seme Command.

while the intercepted pharmaceutical products were also handed over to the head of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control(NAFDAC) Seme command, Venga Edward Benson, for further regulatory action.

Bags of seized shoes

Kaila warned smugglers and their collaborators against using the Seme corridor for illicit trade, saying the command had strengthened its intelligence network and surveillance operations across land and maritime routes.

He reiterated that compliance remains the safest and most cost-effective pathway for legitimate international trade and encouraged traders to continue using the command’s trade facilitation and dispute resolution platforms.

The Customs boss also commended officers and men of the command for their resilience and professionalism, while appreciating stakeholders, host communities, and the media for their support.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the NCS under Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi to balancing trade facilitation, revenue generation, border security, and national economic development.