The Seme Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has decorated 135 newly promoted officers while celebrating a remarkable revenue generation of ₦7.16 billion for the 2024 fiscal year, marking a 21.7% increase from the previous year.
The decoration ceremony, held at the ECOWAS Joint Border Post in Seme-Krake on Monday, also commemorated the 2025 International Customs Day highlighting the Command’s achievements in trade facilitation and anti-smuggling operations.
Speaking at the event, Comptroller Kayode Kolade, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) for the Seme Command, congratulated the officers on their well-deserved promotions, describing them as a testament to their hard work, professionalism, and commitment to duty.
He charged the newly promoted officers to embrace their elevated roles with greater responsibility, emphasizing the importance of integrity, humility, and excellence in leadership. “Leadership is not about titles or positions but about the responsibility to inspire and mentor others,” Kolade stated. He also encouraged those yet to be promoted to remain steadfast and assured them that their time would come with continued dedication.
Highlighting the Command’s 2024 performance, Kolade announced that the ₦7.16 billion revenue generated represented an 80% achievement of its target and an increase of over ₦1.28 billion compared to the ₦5.89 billion collected in 2023. He attributed the success to the dedication of officers and the enabling environment provided by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and his management team.
The Command also facilitated the export of over 306,000 metric tonnes of goods valued at ₦77.87 billion (approximately $76.69 million) during the year. These efforts according to the CAC contributed ₦387.88 million to the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) and ₦87.45 million in surcharges.
In its fight against smuggling, Comot. Kolade noted that l the Command recorded 921 interceptions of contraband items, including 40,671 jerry cans of petrol, 11,569 bags of rice, 24 used vehicles, and various narcotics. The seizures had a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦1.89 billion, with 48 suspects arrested in connection with these activities.
Compt. Kolade stressed that the Command’s exceptional performance earned it recognition as the Best Land Border Command in Trade Facilitation during the 2024 CGC Excellence Awards. He credited the achievement to the hard work of the officers and ongoing improvements in infrastructure, including renovations of officer accommodations and offices, as well as the review of allowances.
The event also coincided with the 2025 International Customs Day, themed “Customs Delivery on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security, and Prosperity.” To mark the occasion, the Command organized a free medical outreach for stakeholders, travelers, and officers, offering them the opportunity to check their health status.
Expressing gratitude to the Seme-Badagry community, sister security agencies, and the media, Kolade reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to excellence in service delivery and strengthening Nigeria’s role as a trade hub in West and Central Africa. He concluded by urging all officers to remain patriotic and diligent in their duties.
