The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has made history in its Apapa Area Command as it collected a whooping N323 billion in July 2026.
Maritime Bits checks revealed that the amount generated by NCS in the command which has Nigeria’s busiest port, Lagos Port Complex (LPC) Apapa in its purview surpassed its previous record.
In the same vein, the amount represents the highest monthly revenue ever recorded by the command since its establishment decades ago.
It also highlighted the impact of NCS ongoing reforms, improved compliance and intelligence-led enforcement.
The amount generated by NCS in July 2026 was made public by the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba at the command’s monthly meeting with Deputy Comptrollers of Terminals and Unit Heads in Apapa, Lagos recently.
It is on record that the CAC had in October 2025 led the command to generate not less than N304 billion.
Giving an insight into how the command made the feat, Oshoba attributed the latest performance to policy support, operational reforms, stronger compliance and innovations introduced by the NCS High Command which has its headquarter in Abuja.
Oshoba specifically pat the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Adewale Bashir Adeniyi and NCS management on the back for advancing the modernisation of the service.
He noted that the reforms had streamlined operations and provided clearer direction for officers and men of the command.
His words: “We recognise and acknowledge the CGC’s devotion and dedication to the modernisation project of the Nigerian Customs Service. The management team has introduced several innovations that have streamlined our activities and given us clear direction.”
According to the CAC, the improved performance of the B’Odogwu digital system which initially experienced operational challenges, had contributed to the command’s stronger revenue performance following subsequent enhancements.
The Customs Chief also identified the One-Stop Shop (OSS) initiative as another key reform, saying it had reduced cargo delivery time and created a more predictable trading environment for port users.
Continuing, Oshoba stated that the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) framework, with more than 200 beneficiaries had also positively influenced the command’s revenue profile by promoting compliance among trusted traders.
He explained that intelligence-driven enforcement has further strengthened revenue collection, with officers and men intensifying interventions against false declarations and ensuring compliance with NCS valuation principles.
Oshoba also credited the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with creating what he described as “a more supportive business environment” through relative stability in the foreign exchange market.
According to him, greater predictability in the forex market had enabled importers and other businesses to plan more effectively and make informed trading decisions.
In an apparent move to ginger the personnel for better results, he tasked them to look beyond routine revenue collection and measure their individual contributions to the command’s performance.
Said he: “In your area of responsibility, you must ask yourself, apart from the normal revenue generated by your unit, what is your own contribution in terms of intervention? What value have I added?”
The CAC enjoined personnel to sustain their focus on trade facilitation and ease of doing business, stressing that disputes should be resolved promptly while consignments requiring further scrutiny must be handled through proper documentation and the Post Clearance Audit (PCA) process.
In order to strengthen stakeholder relations, Oshoba called for professionalism and empathy just as he urged officers to ensure that traders and other stakeholders leave their offices with confidence in the NCS processes and procedures.
His words: “When you interact with stakeholders, let them leave your office with hope rather than despair.”
The Customs Chief acknowledged the co-operation of stakeholders and sister government agencies, pointing out that their support had contributed to improved compliance and a more orderly business environment at the command.
Oshoba charged officers and men to maintain transparency, discipline and professionalism while keeping pace with evolving digital processes and seeking guidance from experienced colleagues where necessary.
He enjoined Staff Officers to support Deputy Comptrollers in strengthening discipline and building a healthy workplace founded on teamwork, compassion and concern for personnel welfare.
He directed officers to heighten security consciousness, strengthen supervision, undertake continuous in-house training and comply fully with approved procedures.
The CAC also tasked all units to sustain the momentum, deepen professional development and maintain focus on productivity, revenue assurance and efficient service delivery in their areas of operations.
