Last week, there was a change of baton at the Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service. As Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba bids farewell to the Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, he leaves behind a legacy of excellence and achievement. In this engagement, he shares his thoughts on his eight-month tenure, the challenges and triumphs, and his vision for the future of the service. With a career spanning over three decades, Comptroller Jaiyeoba’s insights offer a unique perspective on the inner workings of the customs service and the importance of teamwork, leadership, and dedication.
As you bid farewell to the Apapa Command. Can you elaborate on your experience working in the command in the last eight months?
Yes, of course. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as Area Controller of Apapa Command. The Comptroller General’s trust in me was a significant motivator, and I am proud of what we achieved together. His leadership and vision for the Nigeria Customs Service inspired me to work diligently and strive for excellence.
Your eight-month tenure has been marked by significant achievements. Can you share some of the milestones reached during your time at Apapa Command?
Indeed, it has been a remarkable journey. We worked tirelessly as a team to prevent revenue leakages, combat smuggling, and facilitate hitch-free clearance for compliant traders. Our collective efforts led to record-breaking revenue collections, including N672.2 billion between January and April 2024 and N182 billion in April alone, the highest monthly collection in the history of the service. We also strengthened our enforcement efforts, resulting in notable seizures of contraband goods.
That’s impressive. How did you achieve such success, and what role did teamwork play in your accomplishments?
Teamwork was essential. I couldn’t have done it without the dedication and support of my officers, sister agencies, and stakeholders. We worked together towards a common goal, and our collective efforts paid off. I am grateful for the selflessness and commitment of my officers, particularly those in our strategic revenue committee. We had a shared vision and worked collaboratively to achieve our objectives.
You mentioned the challenges faced by the port, including reduced import trade potential. How did you overcome these obstacles to achieve such remarkable revenue collections?
Despite the challenges, we remained focused on our goals. We worked extra hours, including weekends, to ensure maximum collection of duty and prevention of smuggling. Our committee meetings and strategic planning helped us stay on track and surpass our targets. We also engaged with stakeholders, including importers and exporters, to address their concerns and facilitate trade.
As you hand over to Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, what advice do you have for him and the officers of Apapa Command?
I urge everyone to extend the same cooperation and support to Comptroller Olomu as I received. He is a team player and result-oriented officer, and I am confident he will surpass our achievements. Let’s work together to achieve even greater success. I also advise the officers to remain committed to their duties and continue to uphold the values of the Nigeria Customs Service.
What are some of the challenges you faced during your tenure, and how did you overcome them?
One of the significant challenges was the need to balance revenue collection with trade facilitation. We had to ensure that our enforcement efforts did not hinder legitimate trade, while also preventing smuggling and revenue leakages. We achieved this through careful planning, stakeholder engagement, and effective communication. Another challenge was the need to motivate and incentivize our officers to perform at their best. We addressed this through recognition and reward programs, as well as capacity building and training initiatives.
How do you see the future of Apapa Command and the Nigeria Customs Service as a whole?
I am optimistic about the future of Apapa Command and the Nigeria Customs Service. With the right leadership and commitment from officers and stakeholders, I believe we can achieve even greater success and contribute significantly to the growth of our nation’s economy.
What message do you have for the stakeholders and the public as you bid farewell to Apapa Command?
I thank everyone for their support and cooperation. I am proud of what we achieved together, and I am confident that Apapa Command will continue to excel under Comptroller Olomu’s leadership. Let’s keep working together for the benefit of our great country and its economy. To the public, I urge you to continue supporting the Nigeria Customs Service in its efforts to facilitate trade and prevent smuggling
Finally, what are your plans after leaving Apapa Command?
I look forward to continuing to serve the Nigeria Customs Service in any capacity I am called upon. I am committed to contributing to the growth and development of our nation, and I am confident that my experience and expertise will be valuable in any future role.
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Also, in this recent engagement with Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, the newly-appointed Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Apapa Command, Nigeria’s largest and busiest port. Comptroller Olomu shares his vision for the command, his strategies for achieving results, and his commitment to stakeholders.
Congratulations on your redeployment as CAC of Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu. Can you share your vision for the command?
Thank you. My task is to deliver diligently on revenue collection, fight against smuggling, and trade facilitation, with a focus on sustainable stakeholder engagement. We will build on the successes of my predecessor and implement all provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and other relevant guidelines.
That’s a comprehensive vision. How do you plan to achieve this?
We will promote a robust customs community relation system, upscale enforcement with intelligence, and ensure zero tolerance for smuggling and duty evasion. We will also prioritize trade facilitation and modernization, embracing innovations like e-customs, AEO, and advanced ruling policy. Additionally, we will strengthen collaboration with other government agencies and stakeholders to ensure a seamless trade process.
What changes can officers expect under your leadership?
Officers should brace up for the changes that come with customs modernization. We will prioritize speed and efficiency in handling official matters, and I encourage them to take advantage of training and capacity building opportunities. We will also introduce new incentives and recognition programs to motivate officers and improve performance.
How will you handle disputes and challenges?
I will establish a trade dispute resolution seat that operates daily, including weekends, to ensure prompt resolution of issues and maintain global best practices. We will also engage with stakeholders regularly to address concerns and improve our services.
What message do you have for stakeholders and the public?
Apapa Command under my leadership will be open to continuous engagement and advice on how to achieve our mandate. My doors are open, and we are committed to adding value and doing better for Nigeria. We urge stakeholders to collaborate with us to ensure a hitch-free trade process.
How do you see Apapa Command contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth?
As the largest and busiest port in Nigeria, Apapa Command plays a critical role in the country’s economic development. We will work tirelessly to ensure efficient and effective trade facilitation, revenue collection, and security to support Nigeria’s economic growth and participation in regional and global trade.
Thank you, Comptroller Olomu, and congratulations once again on your new role.
Thank you, and God bless.
