Apapa Customs Sets New Revenue Record with ₦323bn July Collection

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has recorded a historic monthly revenue collection of ₦323 billion in July 2026, marking the highest revenue ever generated by the Command in a single month.

The unprecedented performance represents another major milestone for the Apapa Command under the leadership of the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, who previously led the Command to a record ₦304 billion revenue collection in October 2025.

Oshoba disclosed the latest revenue feat during the Command’s monthly meeting with Deputy Comptrollers in charge of terminals and Unit Heads, held on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

According to him, the remarkable achievement was driven by a combination of ongoing reforms within the Nigeria Customs Service, improved compliance by stakeholders, enhanced operational efficiency, intelligence-driven enforcement and a relatively 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 commitment to modernising the NCS and transforming its operations through technology and innovative policies.

“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,” Oshoba said.

Oshoba explained that the reforms being implemented by the Service were increasingly producing measurable results across customs operations.

He particularly highlighted improvements in the B’Odogwu digital customs platform, noting that although the system experienced challenges during its earlier stages, subsequent enhancements had significantly improved its performance and contributed to operational efficiency.

The CAC also identified the One-Stop Shop (OSS) initiative as another important reform contributing to improved cargo clearance and delivery.

According to him, the initiative has helped reduce delays in cargo processing while creating a more predictable environment for legitimate businesses and importers operating through the port.

He further highlighted the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, which currently has more than 200 beneficiaries, describing it as an initiative that has positively influenced the Command’s revenue performance while strengthening cooperation between Customs and compliant businesses.

Intelligence-Driven Enforcement

The Apapa Customs boss also attributed part of the revenue increase to intelligence-led enforcement operations across the Command.

He said officers and men had intensified efforts to identify false declarations, undervaluation and other forms of non-compliance capable of undermining government revenue.

Oshoba stressed that interventions must be guided by intelligence, professionalism and strict adherence to the Service’s valuation principles, noting that effective enforcement remained essential to protecting national revenue without unnecessarily frustrating legitimate trade.

He challenged officers to look beyond their routine responsibilities and identify additional areas where their individual contributions could improve revenue and compliance.

“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 have I added?” he asked.

Forex Stability Boosts Trade Confidence

The CAC also credited the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, with creating an environment that has supported improved business confidence, particularly through relative stability in the foreign exchange market.

He noted that greater predictability in the forex market had enabled importers and other business operators to plan more effectively, make informed commercial decisions and conduct international trade with greater confidence.

According to him, a more stable operating environment ultimately benefits both legitimate businesses and government revenue.

Emphasis on Trade Facilitation

While celebrating the record revenue collection, Oshoba stressed that revenue generation must go hand in hand with trade facilitation and an improved ease of doing business.

He directed officers to resolve disputes promptly, particularly in cases where consignments require further examination or clarification.

He also reminded personnel to ensure that proper documentation is followed and that appropriate Post Clearance Audit (PCA) procedures are applied where necessary.

The CAC maintained that Customs operations should remain professional, transparent and predictable, stressing that stakeholders must be treated fairly while the Service continues to protect the nation’s economic interests.

“Give People Hope,” Oshoba Tells Officers

On stakeholder engagement, the Apapa Customs chief urged officers to adopt a more professional and humane approach when dealing with importers, freight forwarders, agents and other port users.

He said officers should ensure that people who visit their offices leave with confidence that their concerns would be addressed appropriately.

“When you interact with stakeholders, let them leave your office with hope rather than despair. As a leader, do not allow anyone who comes to you to depart feeling hopeless or depressed. Give people hope,” he said.

Oshoba acknowledged the contributions of stakeholders and sister government agencies operating within the port environment, noting that their cooperation had helped improve compliance and restore greater order to port operations.

He urged Customs personnel to continue building trust through professionalism, mutual respect and effective collaboration.

Calls for Discipline, Training and Better Leadership

The CAC further charged officers to maintain transparency, discipline and professionalism while keeping pace with the rapidly evolving digital customs environment.

He encouraged personnel to continuously update their knowledge, participate in training and seek guidance from more experienced colleagues whenever necessary.

He described effective leadership as a collective responsibility and urged Staff Officers to support Deputy Comptrollers in maintaining discipline and creating a healthy working environment.

He emphasised the importance of teamwork, compassion, empathy and genuine concern for the welfare of junior personnel, noting that motivated officers were better positioned to deliver quality service.

Oshoba also directed the Command to maintain heightened security consciousness, strengthen supervision and sustain continuous in-house training.

He charged all units to comply strictly with approved procedures while remaining focused on productivity, efficiency, trade facilitation and service delivery.

Record Revenue as Springboard for Greater Achievement

The CAC commended officers and stakeholders for their contributions to the ₦323 billion July revenue milestone, but cautioned that the achievement should not become a reason for complacency.

Rather, he described the record collection as a foundation upon which the Command must build stronger performance in the remaining months of 2026.

He urged officers to remain committed to the Service’s modernisation agenda, strengthen compliance and enforcement, and explore new opportunities for improving revenue without compromising legitimate trade.

The July performance places the Apapa Area Command at another significant point in its revenue history and further highlights the growing impact of technology, policy reforms, intelligence-driven enforcement and stakeholder collaboration in Nigeria’s customs administration.

Oshoba expressed confidence that with sustained commitment from officers, stakeholders and the NCS management, the Command could achieve even greater milestones before the end of 2026.