Apapa Customs Command Achieves 41.8% Revenue Increase in Q1 2025, Gets Reps’ Commendation for Efficiency

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Apapa Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a 41.8% increase in revenue, collecting ₦694,167,949,142.56 in the first quarter of 2025. This represents a remarkable surge of ₦205 billion from the ₦489 billion collected for the same period in 2024.

Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu disclosed this information during a recent visit by members of the House of Representatives Committee on Customs.

While briefing the Committee led by Hon. Leke Abejide, Comptroller Olomu attributed the Command’s successes to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR and expressed optimism in the command’s ability to surpass the ₦2.357 trillion figure it collected for the whole of 2024.

“Under the guidance and effective supervision of the CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi,MFR, we are optimistic about surpassing last year’s total collection as evident in our first quarter report. May I also state that the CGC is directly instrumental to our successes in terms of our overall productivity.

“This Command achieved a daily record-breaking revenue collection of ₦18.9bn on Friday, March 14, 2025, which stands out as the highest in the 135-year history of the service.

“This new record breaks the existing highest daily collection of ₦18.2b which was achieved in October 2024 by us.

“The Apapa Customs Area Command domiciled at the premier port plays a vital role in Nigeria’s economy, facilitating trade and ensuring the enforcement of regulations related to imports and exports.

“This Command oversees customs activities with capacity to handle the highest volume of trade not only in Nigeria but also in the West and Central Africa sub region,” he stated.

Comptroller Olomu added that the Command has also been instrumental in enhancing the ease of doing business in Nigeria by improving Customs clearance processes, reducing delays in cargo clearance, and leveraging technology through the use of ICT and fast-tract.

Highlighting the importance of the technology integrated into the system, the Controller said the B’Odogwu platform is improving and contributing immensely to trade as it is fast gaining more user acceptance and adaptability.

He also expressed confidence in the Command’s ability to achieve greater revenue collection while describing the first quarter figures as a good start showing prospects for better days ahead.

The CAC also informed the lawmakers that the Command has improved in area of export under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Guided Trade Initiative (GTI) citing how some Nigerian companies are participating robustly as exporters and encouraged by migrating them to the status of Authorised Economic Operators(AEO), two weeks back.

“The service achieved a breakthrough by issuing the first Pre Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) under the B’Odogwu regime,” he added.

Comptroller Olomu described this development as a significant milestone in the service journey towards an ICT backbone that is indigenously propelled and sustainable for modern Customs management in Nigeria.

In a remark, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Abejide, commended Comptroller Olomu for bringing his expertise to bear in making the Command a productive one.

The lawmakers equally praised the Controller for leading the Command efficiently, and pledged full support towards achieving effective trade facilitation backed by technology, promoting global best practices in Customs administration in Nigeria.

He also assured the CAC and stakeholders, including licensed Customs agents of utmost legislative support.

This information was contained in a statement issued by Apapa Port Command Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs Tunde Ayagbalo on Monday