By Sandra Chukwunyere
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has recorded its highest-ever monthly revenue collection, generating ₦323 billion in July 2026.
The latest figure represents a new revenue milestone for the Command and surpasses its previous record of ₦304 billion achieved in October 2025 under the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba.
Oshoba disclosed the development on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, during the Command’s monthly meeting with Deputy Comptrollers overseeing terminals and Unit Heads.
He attributed the impressive performance to a combination of government policy support, operational reforms, improved compliance and a more stable foreign exchange environment.
The Customs Area Controller commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, and the management team of the Service for their efforts towards modernising Customs operations.
According to him, several innovations introduced by the management have improved the efficiency of Customs operations and provided officers with clearer direction in carrying out their responsibilities.
Oshoba specifically highlighted improvements in the B’Odogwu system, which he said had overcome some of its initial challenges and was now contributing positively to the Command’s performance.
He also pointed to the impact of the One-Stop Shop (OSS) initiative, saying it had helped reduce cargo delivery time while making the trading environment more predictable for legitimate importers.
Another area he identified was the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, which currently has more than 200 beneficiaries.
Oshoba said the AEO framework had contributed to improving the revenue profile of the Command by encouraging compliance and facilitating legitimate trade.
He further disclosed that intelligence-led enforcement had strengthened the Command’s ability to identify false declarations and other infractions capable of undermining government revenue.
The CAC said officers had intensified their monitoring of import declarations while ensuring that valuation principles established by the Service were properly applied.
He also linked the improved revenue performance to the relatively stable foreign exchange market under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, greater predictability in the forex market has enabled businesses to plan more effectively, make informed decisions and operate with increased confidence.
Beyond revenue collection, however, Oshoba challenged officers to identify the individual value they bring to the Command.
He urged personnel to look beyond their routine responsibilities and consider how their actions and interventions contribute to improving Customs operations and protecting national revenue.
The CAC also stressed the need to maintain the momentum in trade facilitation and ease of doing business.
He directed officers to resolve disputes promptly, ensure proper documentation and make effective use of the Post Clearance Audit (PCA) process whenever consignments require further scrutiny.
On relations with stakeholders, Oshoba urged officers to adopt a more professional and constructive approach in their dealings with members of the business community.
He said stakeholders should leave Customs offices with confidence that their concerns would be properly addressed.
The Area Controller acknowledged the cooperation of stakeholders and sister government agencies, noting that their support had contributed to improved compliance and a more orderly business environment.
He urged officers to sustain the confidence being built through professionalism, transparency, respect and collaboration.
Oshoba also called on personnel to remain disciplined, keep pace with evolving digital processes and seek guidance from experienced colleagues whenever necessary.
He described effective leadership as a collective responsibility, urging Staff Officers and Deputy Controllers to promote discipline while maintaining a workplace culture based on teamwork, empathy and concern for the welfare of personnel.
The CAC further directed officers to remain security-conscious, strengthen supervision, participate in continuous training and adhere strictly to approved Customs procedures.
While celebrating the ₦323 billion July revenue milestone, Oshoba cautioned officers against becoming complacent.
He described the achievement as a platform for greater accomplishments and charged the Command to sustain its performance as the year progresses.
He also commended the officers and compliant stakeholders whose contributions, he said, helped the Apapa Area Command achieve the historic monthly revenue figure.
