APAPA CUSTOMS: Mu’azu Takes Charge, Pledges To Consolidate Revenue, Trade Facilitation

By Samuel Egbewole

Comptroller Murtala Mu’azu has begun his tenure as the 33rd Customs Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, with a pledge to consolidate the command’s achievements in revenue generation, trade facilitation, enforcement and institutional discipline.

The Customs Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the command, Isah Sulaimon, disclosed this in a statement issued in Lagos on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, following the assumption-of-duty and farewell ceremonies held at the command.

The ceremonies attracted heads of security agencies, regulators, terminal operators, shipping companies, customs brokers and other stakeholders.

In his address, Mu’azu described his appointment as a great honour and privilege, while expressing appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for the confidence reposed in him.

“I accept this responsibility with a deep sense of duty and firm commitment to the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service and the economic interest of our dear nation, Nigeria,” he said.

Mu’azu said his administration would be guided by the Comptroller-General’s three strategic pillars of consolidation, collaboration and innovation, with emphasis on revenue integrity, trade facilitation, professionalism and effective stakeholder engagement.

On revenue generation, he said all revenue due to the government would be properly assessed and collected, stressing that decisions taken by officers must be transparent, accountable and capable of withstanding scrutiny over time.

The new controller also assured stakeholders of deeper collaboration with importers, exporters, licensed customs agents, shipping companies, terminal operators, port authorities and other government agencies.

He said the objective was to make operations at the port more efficient and facilitate legitimate trade.

Mu’azu further pledged to eliminate avoidable delays in cargo processing, saying unnecessary human-induced delays and non-tariff barriers would not be tolerated at Apapa.

He said legitimate cargo for which all requirements had been met should be allowed to move without avoidable obstruction.

Mu’azu charged officers to maintain discipline, professionalism, decorum and courtesy in their dealings with members of the public.

*Comptroller Murtala Mu’azu during assumption of duty as the 33rd Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Customs

While acknowledging the achievements of his predecessor, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, Mu’azu highlighted the command’s record monthly revenue collection of ₦323 billion in July 2026, as well as the ₦28.102 billion single-day collection recorded on August 18, 2026.

He described the figures as significant milestones and acknowledged the challenge of matching and surpassing the records.

“This is indeed a record to reckon with and strive towards matching. It is therefore a herculean task upon myself and my team to match and surpass such records,” he said.

Mu’azu also commended Oshoba’s contributions to enforcement, trade facilitation and modernisation initiatives at the command.

He specifically mentioned the B’Odogwu platform, Advance Ruling, Authorised Economic Operator Programme, One-Stop Shop and deployment of Non-Intrusive Inspection technology.

In his farewell message, Oshoba, who retired from the Service, thanked officers, men and stakeholders for their support during his tenure.