The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Port Command, has recorded a historic revenue performance in 2025, generating a total of ₦2.93 trillion, further consolidating its position as the nation’s leading revenue hub.
According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Isah Sulaiman, the Command collected ₦2,930,508,827,110.32 in 2025, representing an increase of ₦573.29 billion over the ₦2.36 trillion realised in 2024. This growth translates to a 24.32 per cent rise in revenue year-on-year.
Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, attributed the milestone to effective leadership, disciplined personnel, and the strategic deployment of technology under the guidance of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. He also acknowledged the role of compliant stakeholders whose adherence to lawful trade practices supported the improved revenue outcome.
A key driver of the achievement, according to the Comptroller, was the deployment of the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), also known as B’Odogwu, which enhanced transparency, efficiency and accountability in cargo clearance. He noted that regular performance evaluations and timely revenue recovery measures also strengthened collections during the year.
In terms of trade facilitation, the Apapa Command intensified stakeholder engagement following the rollout of the Authorised Economic Operator programme and expanded the One-Stop Shop initiative to fast-track the processing and release of compliant cargoes. Plans are also at an advanced stage to deploy the FS6000 cargo scanning system, a non-intrusive inspection technology capable of scanning up to 200 containers per hour.
On enforcement, the Command recorded significant interceptions in 2025, seizing 53 containers laden with illicit drugs and prohibited items. These included cocaine, Canadian Loud, tramadol and expired pharmaceuticals, with a combined Duty Paid Value of ₦12.63 billion. Some of the seized consignments were handed over to relevant agencies such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further investigation and prosecution.
Looking ahead, Comptroller Oshoba expressed optimism that the Command would surpass its current achievements in 2026, driven by deeper implementation of B’Odogwu, the AEO programme and the One-Stop Shop initiative, alongside strengthened intelligence-led enforcement and inter-agency collaboration.
He further assured stakeholders of sustained engagement with terminal operators, shipping companies, licensed customs agents, freight forwarders, haulage operators and the media to promote transparency, compliance and seamless trade operations at the nation’s busiest port.
