Apapa Customs vows not to lower guard on anti-smuggling, generates N18.9b revenue in one day

By Ezurike Ugochukwu 

When Apapa Command of the Nigerian Customs Service(NCS) made it’s highest daily revenue collection of 17. 9 billion in June 2024, it was like it had attained the peak, rather successively it kept on increasing and boosting the nation’s revenue.

On Friday March 14, 2025, it made a resounding revenue collection history of ₦18.9billion which stands out as the highest of the command in testament to the fact that Apapa command accounts for the highest volume of cargoes coming into Nigeria.

According to the area controller of the command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, the feat is the beginning of greater exploits to be achieved in 2025, he expressed gratitude to the officers dedication to duty, sustenance of compliance as a norm and promotion of industrial harmony in Apapa Port as well as the CGC’s unwavering support contributed to the achievement.

In a release signed by Superintendent of Customs, SC Tunde Ayagbalo Public Relations Officer of the command, this new record has surpassed the existing highest daily collection of ₦18.2b which was achieved in October 2024.

He stated that the Controller, acting under the directives of the CGC had spearheaded high level discussions to partner with the Nigerian Ports Authority in resolving all crises with port users and truckers over issues around the Eto’o call up system which had caused traffic gridlock along the Apapa Port corridor.

Further to the CGC’s directives, Comptroller Olomu also stepped in to prevent the planned withdrawal of service by maritime workers and freight forwarders due to unresolved issues between them on one hand and APM Terminals on the other hand.

The efforts of the CAC prevented a shutdown of port activities and promoted productivity with seamless import and export activities.

Speaking on the impressive revenue collection and harmonious working environment, Comptroller Olomu said, ” 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.”

“In line with the directives of the CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR who has promotion of robust stakeholders engagement as one of his cardinal thrust, we intervened in the disputes involving sister government agencies, terminal operators and stakeholders in the port”.

“It is heartwarming to note that our intervention succeeded in promoting uninterrupted trade and strengthening port users’ confidence”

” Our record-breaking achievement of ₦18.9b daily collection on Friday, March 14 , 2025 is the beginning of greater exploits to be attained this year. We are also not lowering our guard in the fight against smuggling as our officers are ever ready to detect concealment, under declaration, false declaration, and other antics geared towards duty evasion, ” he said.