By Oluyinka Onigbinde
The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi,has applauded the Apapa Port Command for its remarkable revenue collection of over ₦2.2 trillion in 2024, urging the command to maintain the momentum.
Speaking during the command’s end-of-year party and award ceremony last Friday, the CGC emphasized the importance of compliance and synergy as critical strategies for greater productivity at the ports.
Represented by Deputy Comptroller General Caroline Niagwan, DCG Tariff and Trade, Adeniyi commended Comptroller Babatunde Olomu and the officers and men of the Apapa Area Command for their achievements in revenue collection, which have earned the command multiple accolades.
“It is with immense pleasure that I stand before you today to celebrate a shared commitment to compliance and excellence in trade. This award ceremony is a testament to your dedication to ethical business practices, adherence to regulations, and unwavering support for the principles that drive Nigeria’s economic growth,” Adeniyi said.
Highlighting the role of compliance in trade facilitation, the CGC described it as a “competitive advantage” that fosters transparency, reduces operational risks, and strengthens trust between businesses and regulatory authorities. He further noted that compliance leads to streamlined processes, faster clearance times, and recognition as trusted trade partners.
“As a Service, we understand that sustaining compliance can sometimes require capacity building, especially as global trade evolves. To this end, the Service is committed to providing the necessary training, technical assistance, and partnerships that will empower stakeholders with the knowledge and tools to maintain high standards,” he added.
Adeniyi assured stakeholders that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) remains committed to supporting compliant businesses, which contribute to national revenue, attract foreign investments, and enhance Nigeria’s position in international trade.
In his welcome address, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu expressed gratitude to the CGC and the Customs management team for their guidance and support, which he credited as instrumental to the command’s success in meeting government expectations.
He described the end-of-year event as a multi-faceted occasion: an opportunity to strengthen the bond between government and private sector stakeholders, celebrate the command’s achievements, and honor outstanding performers.
Comptroller Olomu acknowledged the challenges posed by low trade volumes in 2024 but attributed the command’s success in meeting its targets to the commitment and dedication of officers. He emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement, a policy thrust of the CGC, which has significantly enhanced compliance and operational efficiency.
“Compliance is no doubt the bedrock of all Customs achievements in areas of revenue collection, anti-smuggling, and legitimate trade facilitation. Our regular engagement with sister government agencies has raised our level of intelligence sharing toward a common national interest,” Olomu said.
He extended gratitude to agencies like the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Department of State Services (DSS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Port Health, Police, Immigration, and others for their collaboration throughout 2024.
Olomu also commended port users for their participation in regular enlightenment meetings, trade dispute resolution mechanisms, and feedback sessions, which he noted have positively impacted the command’s operations.
The Comptroller highlighted the command’s achievements, including thorough examination of consignments, which has underpinned its enforcement efforts, and seizures aimed at curbing smuggling.
The event featured the presentation of awards to stakeholders and officers for their exceptional contributions to the command’s success in 2024.
Olomu urged award recipients to view the recognition as a call for greater commitment and challenged others to strive for excellence in the coming year.
Awardees included notable stakeholders such as APM Terminals, Sifax Group, ENL Consortium, Dangote Group, Talod Ocean Airfreight, and Princess Chi Ezeh, CEO of Munah Sylva Nigeria Limited. Serving and retired officers were also honored for their contributions to the command’s successes.
As the command prepares for 2025, Comptroller Olomu expressed optimism for continued collaboration with stakeholders to build on the gains of the past year.
