Seme Customs: Comptroller Adenuga Credits N2.7 billion Revenue Increase in Under a Month to Smooth Trade Facilitation 

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Customs Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, has attributed N2,737,272,272.51 revenue increase recorded in less than a month to seamless trade facilitation process adopted by the Command.

Comptroller Adenuga stated this while announcing the total figure generated by the Command as revenue for the month of February 2026 despite the month still on going.

He said the Command generated N3,480,970,924.67 as revenue for the month of February 2026 that has not ended, reflecting a difference of N2,737,272,272.51, when compared to the N743,698,652.16 recorded in the same period of 2025.

Representing the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, at a stakeholders’ engagement organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Agricultural Trade Programme and GIZ International, on Wednesday, 25 February 2026, at Badagry Lagos, the Area Controller attributed the surge to the seamless trade facilitation process adopted at the Command.

He said the report clearly shows that the flow of trade is gradually getting better, with people building greater confidence in the Seme–Krake corridor.

“For this February that has not yet ended, we have already generated N3,480,970,924.67 as against N743,698,652.16 revenue generated in February 2025,” he stated.

Speaking further at the event themed- “Empowering Cross-Border Traders through Trade Information Desk for Agricultural Traders”, Comptroller Adenuga noted that the significant reduction in checkpoints along the Seme–Gbaji axis is the direct result of strong collaborative efforts with other security agencies operating within the corridor.

He clarified that only Agbara and Gbaji remain the officially Customs approved and sanctioned checkpoints along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.

The Seme Customs Boss further attributed the noticeable decline in crime rates along the Seme-Agbaji to the positive outcomes of monthly joint border security engagement with all agencies at the border post.

“These regular inter-agency engagements have strengthened better cooperation, improved intelligence sharing and more effective responses to security challenges, thereby creating a safer and more enabling environment for cross-border trade.

“While revenue generation and trade facilitation remain key priorities, the Command’s mandate extends firmly to combating illicit activities,” he said.

The CAC highlighted recent enforcement successes, including the interception of a Toyota Highlander vehicle conveying 22 packages of cocaine with an estimated street value exceeding N1 billion, saying the feat was made possible following credible intelligence shared by the CGC.

“In addition, during February 2026 alone, the Command has seized 1,000 bags of 50kg parboiled rice, underscoring its unwavering commitment to suppressing smuggling and protecting Nigeria’s economic borders”.

Comptroller Adenuga reiterates the vigilance and commitment of the operatives of the Command in working closely with stakeholders, traders, farmers, sister security agencies and regional partners to improve the momentum of trade and security along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.

This information is contained in a statement issued to journalists by the Command’s spokesperson, SC Ayagbalo on Thursday.