INTERVIEW
Dr Ben Oramalugo is the Customs Area Controller in charge of Seme Border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service. He this interaction with Joshua Yousouph, he dwells on the challenges of manning Nigeria’s toughest land border. He also speaks to some facts about Customs operations as it affects the land border.
Since taking over as Area Controller, what special measures have you implemented to enhance revenue generation, trade facilitation, and anti-smuggling operations?
Since assuming office, we have implemented special measures to enhance revenue generation, trade facilitation, anti-smuggling activities, and inter-agency collaboration. These efforts align with the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service and the vision of the Comptroller General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi; a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations. He has emphasized synergy among stakeholders to combat smuggling and strengthen border security.
How would you describe the transformation within the Nigeria Customs Service under the leadership of Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi?
As you are aware, those of you that are conversant with the history of Nigeria Customs, which was established in 1861, a number of times we were headed by non-custom officers during the tenure of Abdullahi, Col. Ali, and others. But in 2023, the President, in his wisdom, decided to appoint one of our own – CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR. The Nigeria Customs Service has undergone structural changes since CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi assumed office. We are more motivated and mobilized than ever before. More vehicles have been supplied, bonuses are being paid, the insurance money that is due to us are being paid. Officers are being promoted on merit. It’s no longer whom you know in Customs, it’s what you know; officers are being promoted based on merit rather than connections. This transformation has placed us on a progressive path, which is why he was recognized by the African Association of Public Relations and given an award as the Best Comptroller General in Africa and also awarded the Maritime Man of the Year by the industry. The Sun Newspapers gave him an award of the Public Servant of the year. So, these awards are not based on empty achievements. They are awards that are based on solid rock. So we have never had it so good before. This is the best time for Customs.
Customs have done their best and they are doing their best with all the colossal difficulties that we are encountering and we will continue to do more. At the end of this year, I am sure, the revenue we generate will be alarming. With the kind of structure the CGC has put on the ground, like the B’Odogwu that is in place, and the Authorized Economic Operators scheme that has been put into place. In the Nigeria Customs Service, tribalism has been reduced to the barest minimum. I am a good example of that. For instance, for the CGC to appoint me as a controller; being an Igbo man and he is Yoruba shows he is a balanced Nigerian. Now you can see controllers who are Igbos, Hausa and Yorubas all scattered everywhere across the commands. That will show you the maturity, the kindness, the honesty and the determination of our CGC. We pray that God will continue to bless him and give him more grace to add value to the Nigerian state.
Can you elaborate on the role of inter-agency cooperation and stakeholder engagement in achieving your objectives?
Recognizing the importance of collaboration, I have engaged with key stakeholders, including traditional rulers and security agencies. Recently, I convened a meeting of all heads of security agencies in the region, a meeting that was done about a year ago. And I felt there is a need to have that meeting, so that the rivalry among us will be reduced to the minimum. This initiative has improved intelligence sharing and coordination, reinforcing our commitment to national security and economic regulation. In the next few days, you will see the implementation of those issues that we discussed. At least we agreed to know ourselves. We agreed to know a lot of things that are wrong. For example, the duplication of checkpoints all over the place. We are working on it to reduce it. And if you enter within this compound, you begin to see the serenity of the place. It is no longer like a museum. It is no longer like a war front or a battlefield. So that is the result of synergy among the security agencies which I have introduced. This engagement has facilitated improved intelligence sharing and coordination, reinforcing our commitment to national security, economic regulation, and the fight against smuggling.
What are some misconceptions about Customs officers that you would like to address?
Many people see customs officers as just those who seize rice, but that is not true. Our mission, as the command, extends beyond the revenue collection. It encompasses national security and economic growth, which are best achieved through strong institutional partnership. . That’s why in every press conference, I remind them of a scholar called Mayan Jelu, a United States scholar. He said the history of the hunter should also be told by a lion, so that the hunter will not be telling the story all the time at the detriment of the lion. Therefore, customs officers should begin to tell their own story, so that the public will understand us better, so that we know where we are coming from. And that’s why everywhere I go, I say Customs officers are not only Customs officers that stay on the road, they should be also economic managers. They should have knowledge of the economy. They should know that Nigeria is a poor country. For instance, our national debt stands at N121 trillion, and yet, we still heavily rely on foreign imports instead of supporting local industries. It is important for us to tell our own story so that the public understands the critical role we play beyond revenue collection. These are the indices that will show you that Nigeria is poor. Not poor in resources, but in poor in wealth, because we have the resources.
What steps have been taken to improve capacity building within the Nigeria Customs Service?
Capacity building is essential. When I joined the service, I had a Master’s degree. Since then, I have earned two additional Master’s degrees, a PhD, and a certificate from Harvard. While not everyone may attain a PhD, continuous self-improvement is vital for customs officers. The Nigeria Customs Service is not just about revenue collection; we are also responsible for curtailing insecurity in Nigeria.
How does the Nigeria Customs Service contribute to national security?
Since 2011, the influx of arms from the Sahara region has posed a serious threat. Customs plays a crucial role in preventing arms and ammunition from getting into the wrong hands. Under CGC Adewale Adeniyi’s leadership, we have seized arms and ammunition across Nigerian ports to enhance national security.
Can you explain the rationale behind some of the common seizures made by Customs?
Many seizures are made to protect local industries and ensure public safety. For example, we seize second-hand clothes because they undermine our textile industry. There are all these textile industries we had in Kano and Kaduna states. They are no longer there because of foreign-used clothes. When we stop bringing them in, there will be demand for Nigerian-made clothes. That is the essence of seizing those clothes. The same applies to rice. Nigeria is the highest producer of rice in Africa, followed by Tanzania and Burundi. We produce 8,435,000 metric tons of rice. The highest is Kenya and yet Nigerians don’t like local rice. Then how do we guarantee employment when we don’t consume local rice? I want to talk of tyres. Every day between the Agbara and Lagos, there is no day we don’t face death on the road; tyres are blowing up because there are substandard. But because of poverty, we buy substandard second hand tyres and our people are dying. Government is saying enough is enough. That’s why we are seizing them and it’s only when we stop using these new foreign tyres that it can stimulate local economy for people to invest in that area. So that’s why we are seizing tires. These efforts are aimed at fostering economic self-reliance and protecting lives.
How has operational restructuring improved efficiency within your command?
Change is vital for growth. I’ve made some structural changes to ensure the right officers are in the right positions, and I’m pleased to say that our officers have responded excellently. They are robust, mobile, and highly intelligent. It’s not always easy to implement changes, but I’ve learned that it’s necessary for progress. When you put the right people in the right places, the results speak for themselves. And we’ve already seen a marked improvement in our operations and revenue generation.
Can you share the revenue statistics for your command and its trade facilitation efforts?
For February 2025 alone, our command generated a total revenue of N743,728,652.16. This underscores our commitment to blocking revenue leakages and ensuring optimal collection for national development. In February 2025, we facilitated the export of over 38,000 metric tons of produce, equivalent to 806 trucks, with a free import value of N7.85 billion. A nation’s wealth is guaranteed by the exports it generates, and we are committed to positioning Nigeria as a key player in global trade. Well, in terms of trade facilitation, we facilitated the export of over 38,000 metric tons, equivalent to 806 trucks of export produce in February 2025. This amounted to a free import value of N7, 852,432.2 which is about $4,995,527. As we know, a nation’s economic growth is guaranteed by the exports it generates. Nigeria is heavily reliant on exports beyond oil to compete within the international community, and that’s why we are so focused on boosting exports. We’ve even structured an export unit to ensure maximum output, and I am confident that before the end of the year, we will double our export figures.
It’s clear you have a strong focus on exports. But you’ve also spoken about other areas like smuggling operations. Could you elaborate on your work in this area?
Smuggling has been a major concern, particularly drug smuggling. When I arrived here, I noticed that certain parts of the country were becoming hubs for illicit drug trade. We have taken a strong stance against this. In fact, we have conducted 25 anti-smuggling operations and intercepted several illegal goods, including 444 bottles of cannabis sativa, 181 packs of tramadol, and 600 bottles of codeine syrup, among others. This led to the seizure of goods worth approximately $267million. These efforts are aimed at not just seizing drugs, but also sending a strong message that such activities will not be tolerated.
You also mentioned the dangers of fake pharmaceutical drugs. Could you tell us more about your fight against this?
Yes, fake drugs are a critical issue. Some individuals overseas will manufacture medicines with no active ingredients and ship them to Nigeria. This has led to tragic consequences, as we saw in the past with deaths due to fake drugs like ethylene glycol. I am deeply committed to eradicating this menace, as it poses a grave risk to public health. Our officers have been trained to detect and intercept such goods, and we will continue to pursue those involved in trafficking fake pharmaceutical products.
The link between drugs and crime cannot be ignored. Drugs fuel criminal activities, and that’s why I’m determined to fight it with every resource at my disposal. We’ve had successful operations in collaboration with other agencies, such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Our officers are empowered to not only seize illegal drugs but also arrest the culprits. This will help reduce the number of traffickers in society. The President himself has said that fighting drugs is not just about law enforcement; it’s a moral imperative for the nation. And we are fully aligned with that vision.
Finally, what message do you have for the Nigerians regarding the future of the command?
My message is simple: We are committed to making Nigeria a safer, more prosperous nation. Through our enhanced anti-smuggling operations, improved revenue collection, and fight against importation of fake drugs, we are building a foundation for sustainable growth. With the support of journalists, stakeholders, and the people in general, we will continue to strengthen our efforts. The road ahead is challenging, but I am confident that together, we will overcome these hurdles and achieve our goals. Nigeria is at a critical point, and we must all be united in our efforts to protect the nation and its future.
