Q1: Apapa Customs Makes ₦694bn Revenue as Comptroller Olomu Vows to Boost Collection with B’Odogwu 

The Apapa Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that it generated a total of ₦694,167,949,142.56 as revenue in the first quarter of year 2025.

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu disclosed this recently when he received members of the House of Representatives Committee on Customs.

In a statement released by Tunde Ayagbalo, the Public Relations Officer of the Command, the revenue is ₦205 billion higher than the ₦489 billion collected from January to March 2024, amounting to 41.8% increase.

Comptroller Olomu, while briefing the Committee led by Hon. Leke Abejide attributed the Command’s successes to the leadership of Comptroller General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

He expressed optimism in the Command’s ability to surpass the ₦2.357 trillion it collected for the entirety of year 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,” Olomu said.

The Comptroller continued: “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.”

The Apapa Customs boss affirmed that the Command has 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-track processes.

He emphasised the importance of technology, stating that the B’Odogwu platform is improving and contributing immensely to trade as it is fast gaining more user acceptance and adaptability.

Comptroller Olomu 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.

He also informed the lawmakers that the Command has successfully processed exports under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Guided Trade Initiative (GTI), where some Nigerian companies are actively participating as exporters.

Olomu noted that the companies are encouraged to migrate to the status of Authorised Economic Operators(AEO).

“Two weeks ago, the Service achieved a breakthrough by issuing the first Pre Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) under the B’Odogwu regime.”

He described the development as a significant milestone in the NCS’ journey towards an ICT backbone that is indigenously propelled and sustainable for modern Customs management in Nigeria.

Speaking on behalf of the lawmakers, Hon. Abejide commended Comptroller Olomu for his ingenuity in making the Command very productive .

He assured him and stakeholders, including licensed Customs agents, of utmost legislative support.

“The lawmakers also praised the Controller for leading the Command efficiently while throwing their weight behind the drive for effective trade facilitation backed by technology and promoting global best practices in Customs administration in Nigeria,” the statement added.