Apapa Customs: Mu’azu takes over, vows to consolidate Oshoba’s gains

…Inherits ₦323bn monthly revenue record

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Comptroller Murtala Mu’azu has assumed duty as the 33rd Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), pledging to consolidate the Command’s gains in revenue generation, trade facilitation, enforcement and professional conduct.

Mu’azu and Oshoba

Mu’azu formally took over from Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba (Rtd) on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, during a combined assumption-of-office and farewell ceremony held at the Apapa Area Command Auditorium, Lagos.

Mu’azu and Sulaiman

In a release by Chief Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman, Public Relations Officer of the command, the ceremony attracted heads of security and regulatory agencies, representatives of government institutions, terminal operators, shipping companies, business stakeholders, customs brokers and other partners of the Command, who offered goodwill messages to both the outgoing and incoming Controllers.

In his inaugural address, Mu’azu described his appointment as a “great honour and privilege”, expressing appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for the confidence reposed in him.

He pledged to discharge the responsibility with a strong commitment to the mandate of the NCS and the broader economic interests of Nigeria, saying his administration would align with the Comptroller-General’s strategic pillars of consolidation, collaboration and innovation.

According to him, particular attention would be given to revenue integrity, efficient trade facilitation, professionalism and meaningful engagement with stakeholders.

On revenue collection, Mu’azu said every revenue due to government must be properly assessed and collected, while decisions taken by Customs officers must remain subject to scrutiny.

He also pledged deeper collaboration with importers, exporters, licensed customs agents, shipping companies, terminal operators, port authorities and other government agencies to make Apapa Port more efficient and responsive to legitimate trade.

The new CAC further declared that avoidable delays in cargo processing would not be tolerated, warning against unnecessary human-induced bottlenecks, which he described as non-tariff barriers.

He said legitimate cargo for which all regulatory requirements had been met should be allowed to move without unnecessary obstruction, while officers were expected to uphold discipline, professionalism, courtesy and decorum in their dealings with the trading public.

Mu’azu acknowledged the achievements recorded under his predecessor, particularly in revenue generation, noting that Oshoba’s tenure produced significant collection milestones.

Under Oshoba, the Command recorded a monthly revenue collection of ₦323 billion in July 2026, while a single-day collection of ₦28.102 billion was recorded on August 18, 2026.

Describing the figures as a significant benchmark, Mu’azu acknowledged the challenge of sustaining the momentum and pledged to work with his team towards matching and surpassing the achievements.

He also commended Oshoba for his contributions to enforcement, trade facilitation and the implementation of key Customs modernisation initiatives, including B’Odogwu, Advance Ruling, the Authorised Economic Operator Programme, the One-Stop Shop and Non-Intrusive Inspection technology.

The initiatives, he noted, had contributed to improving predictability, efficiency and confidence within the trading environment.

In his farewell address, Oshoba expressed appreciation to officers, men and stakeholders of the Apapa Area Command for their support and cooperation throughout his tenure.

He emphasised that the achievements recorded under his leadership were collective rather than individual, urging officers to preserve the standards established by the Command.

“Discipline must remain our foundation, professionalism our standard and excellence our aspiration,” Oshoba said.

He also appealed to officers and stakeholders to give his successor the same support and cooperation that enabled the Command to record its recent achievements.

Responding, Mu’azu stressed that the success of Apapa Area Command could not be achieved by the CAC alone, but required collective commitment, operational integrity and adherence to the standards of the Service.

He assured stakeholders that his administration would maintain an open and constructive relationship based on fairness, mutual respect and the national interest.

The new CAC expressed confidence that, with the cooperation of officers and stakeholders, Apapa Area Command would continue to strengthen its role in revenue administration, legitimate trade facilitation and professional Customs service delivery.

The transition formally marked the end of Oshoba’s tenure and the beginning of Mu’azu’s stewardship of one of the Nigeria Customs Service’s key commands.