Seme Customs boosts revenue, generates N3.57bn, facilities N47bn export in 5 months, reduces smuggling

…Decries power outage, non-functional scanning equipment, poor road network

By Ezurike Ugochukwu 

The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded impressive revenue generation and trade facilitation achievements, generating over ₦3.57 billion in revenue and facilitating exports valued at ₦47 billion between January and May 2025.

The Area Controller of the Seme Area Command, of NCS, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo made the  revelation at the working visit of the Zonal Coordinator of the NCS, Zone A Lagos, Assistant Comptroller General Charles Orbih, to the Seme Area Command, located ECOWAS Joint Border Post, Seme-Krake this Wednesday.

In a release by the Public Relations Officer(PRO) of the command Isah Sulaiman, the visit was aimed at assessing the Command’s operations, engaging with officers and aligning strategic goals across the Zone.

While welcoming the Zonal Coordinator and his entourage, Comptroller Oramalugo presented a detailed overview of the Command’s mandates and achievements in revenue generation, anti-smuggling operations, trade facilitation and border security.He showed deep appreciation for the visit, describing it as a morale booster and a reaffirmation of the ACG’s commitment to operational excellence and oversight.

The Seme Area Controller also highlighted anti-smuggling efforts that resulted in seizures worth ₦889 million, including the interception of expired pharmaceuticals, marijuana and corrosive mercury, which were handed over to the relevant security agencies for further investigation.

The CAC acknowledged several challenges facing the Command, such as a Seven (7) year power outage, poor road infrastructure, non-functional scanning equipment, and border porosity. He emphasized ongoing advocacy for infrastructure upgrades, deployment of modern surveillance tools, and deeper collaboration with sister security agencies and local communities to address these concerns.

“Your presence today is a testament to your commitment to strengthen the operations of the Zone, ensuring that the Commands and Units deliver their mandates as enshrined in the extant laws.”, Compt. Oramalugo said.

In his remarks, ACG Charles Orbih lauded the leadership of the Seme Area Command for initiatives such as the renovation of the COWA building, upgrading of the sports complex, and the recent commissioning of the officers’ mess. He described these projects as symbolic of the Command’s alignment with the vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi , who has anchored the Service’s transformation agenda on Consolidation, Collaboration, and Innovation.

ACG Orbih highlighted the Zone’s impressive contributions to national revenue, noting that the Zone accounted for 79.8% of the NCS’s ₦1.3 trillion revenue collection in the first quarter of 2025. He also reaffirmed the Service’s modernization journey through initiatives such as the Advance Ruling System, Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) programme, and B’Odogwu platform, the indigenous Customs Clearance system.

He further noted that the Service’s operational strategy for 2025 is guided by Seven (7) strategic focus areas, including trade modernization, enhanced risk management, operationalization of the NCS University, strengthening International partnerships under the AfCFTA framework, implementation of a robust Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy and promotion of open governance through increased transparency framework and stakeholder engagement. According to him, these initiatives are already producing commendable outcomes.

ACG Orbih charged Officers and Men of the Command to continue upholding professionalism, integrity, and innovation, stressing that the bar has been raised for Zone A. He expressed confidence in the ability of Seme Command and other units under the Zone to not only sustain but surpass current achievements in service to the nation.

“As we move forward, the bar has been set higher for Zone ‘A’. Our previous achievements, impressive as they are, should serve as stepping stones rather than resting points.We must leverage our strategic importance to push beyond these accomplishments, innovating and adapting to meet the evolving demands of our nation’s economy and security needs.”, ACG Orbih said.