By Oluyinka Onigbinde
The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Monday, September 8, 2025, witnessed a change of leadership as Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Babatunde Olomu, officially handed over to Comptroller E.O.A. Oshoba as the new Customs Area Controller (CAC).
Speaking at the ceremony, the outgoing Area Controller, ACG Olomu, who has now been elevated to the management cadre of the service, recounted his 15-month tenure in Apapa, describing it as “a period of challenges, solutions, and remarkable achievements.”
He thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi for entrusting him with the leadership of the Service’s flagship command, and appreciated officers, stakeholders, and sister agencies for their support.
Olomu highlighted that under his watch, Apapa Command recorded unprecedented revenue milestones, notably the first-ever ₦2 trillion revenue collection in the history of the service. He also disclosed that the command achieved a record-breaking single-day revenue of ₦17.9 billion on June 19, 2024, surpassed by ₦18.2 billion in October 2024, and later ₦18.9 billion on March 14, 2025.
For August 2025 alone, the command generated ₦214.9 billion despite initial technical hitches that accompanied the introduction of B’Odogwu, the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS). Cumulatively, the command has collected ₦1.83 trillion so far in 2025, representing about 60% of its ₦3 trillion annual target.
On trade facilitation, Olomu recalled that Apapa Port played a pioneering role in Nigeria’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), including the first historic shipment under the Guided Trade Initiative in July 2024 and a subsequent shipment to Kenya in November of the same year. He also stressed his administration’s success in promoting faster cargo clearance, dispute resolution, and compliance.
In anti-smuggling operations, the outgoing CAC revealed that the command seized 75 containers of contraband within his tenure, comprising fake and expired medicaments, codeine syrup, tramadol, cannabis, used clothing, and other prohibited items.
Expressing gratitude to agencies such as the DSS, Police, Immigration, NDLEA, NPA, SON, NAFDAC, and Quarantine for their cooperation, Olomu urged stakeholders to extend greater support to his successor.
Taking over the mantle of leadership, Comptroller E.O.A. Oshoba pledged to sustain the achievements of his predecessor while bringing new energy into the command.
He commended Olomu’s record-breaking tenure and assured that he would build on the legacies of transparency, integrity, and modernization.
Oshoba outlined his leadership philosophy as “Look, Listen, and Learn,” noting that his immediate focus would be to understand the peculiar challenges of the command and collaborate with officers and stakeholders to address them. He called for renewed dedication and maximum cooperation, stressing that “no one succeeds alone.”
The new CAC promised to deepen ongoing reforms under the Comptroller-General, especially in trade facilitation, ICT deployment, and global best practices. He pledged to strengthen programs such as the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), Time Release Study (TRS), and Advanced Ruling (AR), while pushing the UCMS to greater heights.
“As Nigeria now chairs the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council, we must uphold compliance, transparency, and innovation to maintain our leadership role in global customs administration,” Oshoba stated.
He assured stakeholders that his tenure would prioritize inclusiveness, innovation, and excellence, promising to “sustain the excellent records achieved and, by the grace of God, break new grounds for Nigeria through Apapa Port.”
The ceremony also featured goodwill messages from stakeholders who lauded the outgoing CAC and pledged support to his successor.
Founder of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, thanked Olomu for ensuring industrial peace during his tenure. “We want to thank the outgoing CAC for the peace we enjoyed and we pledge our support for the new CAC, Comptroller Oshoba. NAGAFF will always support you to do better than your predecessor,” he said.
Ademola Mumuni of Storin Marine described Olomu’s tenure as a success story. “The ACG has been a success in Apapa, and that is due to the support of the officers. We wish you the best in your endeavors while also pledging support for the new CAC,” he noted.
Also speaking, Princess Chi Eze, a member of NAGAFF, commended the outgoing CAC’s achievements. “You’ve really achieved much here and we pray for success ahead. For the incoming Comptroller, God will lead you well,” she said.
A representative of the Chamber of Commerce applauded Olomu’s efforts and assured continued partnership. “We wish you well and thank you for the hard work you’ve done here. We will continue to work with and support the command,” he stated.
Publisher of Shipping Position Daily, Sesan Onileimo, praised Olomu for his bridge-building approach. “You’ve built bridges and helped the Service. You’ve surpassed expectations, and the industry will not forget your impact,” he remarked.
The handover ceremony was attended by comptrollers, terminal and unit heads, sister agencies, port stakeholders, and members of the press, who all described the event as a symbolic transition of leadership in the Service’s flagship command.
