By Aisha Cole
Lagos, Jan. 7, 2026
The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a landmark revenue generation of N2.93 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year. This figure represents a substantial 24.32% increase (N573.29 billion) over its 2024 collection of N2.36 trillion, solidifying its undisputed position as the nation’s premier revenue-generating customs formation.
Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, the Customs Area Controller, disclosed these results in Lagos, attributing the historic performance to a multi-pronged strategy under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi.
Decoding the Revenue Surge: More Than Just Numbers
While the headline figure is staggering, the underlying drivers offer a blueprint for institutional efficiency. Comptroller Oshoba cited a combination of “focused leadership, disciplined personnel, and improved compliance by importers.” Crucially, this was not a passive achievement. It was engineered through specific, technology-driven initiatives:
- The Unified Customs Management System (UCMS/B’Odogwu): This digital platform has been a game-changer. By creating a single, transparent window for all clearance processes, it reduces human interface, curtails discretionary actions, and accelerates legitimate trade. The resulting efficiency naturally expands the revenue base by capturing more transactions accurately and swiftly.
- Strategic Stakeholder Engagement: The command actively moved beyond a purely enforcement-centric model. The rollout of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme rewards compliant traders with faster clearance times, creating a powerful incentive for lawful importation. Coupled with the One-Stop Shop (OSS) framework, which harmonizes agency interactions, these policies directly link trade facilitation to revenue growth.
The Dual Mandate: Revenue Generation and Border Security
The Apapa Command’s success is not measured in naira alone. It simultaneously executed its critical security and anti-smuggling mandate with notable results. In 2025, the command intercepted 53 containers carrying illicit drugs and prohibited items, including cocaine, Canadian Loud (a potent strain of cannabis), tramadol, and expired pharmaceuticals. The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of these seizures stood at N12.63 billion.
These interdictions highlight a vital, often underreported, aspect of customs work: protecting public health and national security. The seized items were handed over to relevant agencies like the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for prosecution, demonstrating vital inter-agency collaboration.
Future-Proofing Operations: The Technology Roadmap
Looking ahead, Comptroller Oshoba revealed plans to deploy the FS6000 cargo scanning system. This non-intrusive inspection (NII) technology can scan up to 200 containers per hour, representing a quantum leap in enforcement capability. It allows for thorough inspections without physically opening containers, which speeds up trade for compliant shippers while making it exponentially harder for smugglers to conceal contraband. This investment signals a shift towards intelligence-led, technology-powered enforcement.
Context and National Implications
The performance of the Apapa Command has significant macro-economic implications. As Nigeria’s largest and busiest seaport, Apapa handles over 70% of the nation’s seaborne trade. Its efficiency and revenue yield are direct contributors to the federal government’s fiscal capacity. The N2.93 trillion generated here is a critical inflow that supports national budgeting and infrastructure development. The command’s model of blending technology (UCMS), facilitation (AEO/OSS), and enforcement (scanners, seizures) provides a replicable template for other ports and border commands.
Comptroller Oshoba commended the role of compliant importers, agents, and port operators, acknowledging that revenue collection is ultimately a partnership. He expressed optimism for 2026, pledging to build on the current momentum through the “indestructible implementation” of existing initiatives and fostering closer inter-agency synergy.
The Apapa Command’s 2025 report is more than a financial statement; it is a case study in modern customs administration where revenue optimization and national security are pursued not as competing goals, but as mutually reinforcing outcomes of a transparent, technology-driven system.
(Source: NAN)
Edited by Maureen Atuonwu
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