By Sandra Chukwunyere
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, recorded a 7.13 per cent increase in revenue generation in October 2026, collecting ₦302.95 billion as the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Murtala Mu’azu, intensifies operational reforms, stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation initiatives.
The October collection of ₦302,952,570,769.24 represents an increase of ₦20,161,430,521.84 over the ₦282,791,140,247.40 generated in September 2026.
The performance marks another significant revenue collection above the ₦300 billion threshold, following the Command’s record-breaking collection of over ₦323 billion in July 2026.
According to a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman, on November 5, 2026, the revenue performance reflects the Command’s continued drive to strengthen government revenue generation while facilitating legitimate trade.
Mu’azu assumed duty as Customs Area Controller on September 29, 2026, and has prioritised operational efficiency, improved service delivery and stakeholder collaboration in line with the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi’s policy thrust of Consolidation, Collaboration and Innovation.
As part of his reform agenda, the CAC has intensified efforts to review and streamline the processing of Transire to eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic bottlenecks, improve inter-departmental coordination and reduce processing time without compromising compliance and control measures.
Speaking on the initiative, Mu’azu said the Command was committed to ensuring that the various offices involved in Transire processing discharged their responsibilities more efficiently.
He stressed that traders should not suffer the consequences of avoidable administrative lapses or delays, adding that the Command would identify operational challenges, address their root causes and adopt practical solutions to promote seamless business operations.
The CAC also directed that cargo examinations must strictly comply with existing procedures, documentation and requisite authorisation.
He cautioned officers against unwarranted, repetitive and unnecessary checks capable of frustrating legitimate business transactions and causing avoidable delays.
Mu’azu charged officers to discharge their responsibilities promptly and professionally without compromising compliance, revenue protection or national security.
He said the directives would improve cargo clearance, reduce turnaround time and promote a more predictable trading environment in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023.
In furtherance of his stakeholder engagement drive, the CAC convened a meeting on October 5, 2026, bringing together importers, exporters, licensed Customs agents, shipping companies and terminal operators to discuss operational challenges affecting port users.
The meeting addressed concerns relating to Demand Notice delays, cargo clearance bottlenecks and other issues affecting port operations.
Beyond the meeting, Mu’azu has embarked on courtesy visits to key stakeholders and strategic partners within the port community to strengthen institutional relationships, promote mutual understanding and foster collaboration towards creating a more conducive business environment for traders and other port users.
The Command has also strengthened coordination among relevant departments and port stakeholders to address operational bottlenecks affecting cargo movement.
Meanwhile, the Command recorded an enforcement breakthrough with the interception of 437 sachets of Cannabis Sativa weighing 392.5 kilogrammes in two separate containers during the period under review.
The seizures comprised 162 sachets weighing 125 kilogrammes in container number MSKU0486747 and 275 sachets weighing 267.5 kilogrammes in container number TEMU6149358.
The combined Duty Paid Value of the seized narcotics stands at ₦196,131,606.82.
The consignments were jointly examined with relevant sister agencies, underscoring the Command’s commitment to preventing the use of Nigeria’s maritime gateway for illicit trade and protecting public health and national security.
The Apapa Area Command reaffirmed its commitment to consolidating revenue performance, strengthening enforcement and building stronger partnerships with stakeholders to improve port operations.
It added that under Mu’azu’s leadership, the Command would continue to pursue a balanced approach that protects government revenue and national security while creating an enabling environment for legitimate trade and economic growth.
