New CAC pledges zero tolerance for avoidable cargo delays, strengthens stakeholder collaboration and sets sights on surpassing ₦323bn monthly revenue record

By Chioma Vivian James/Wednesday, 30 September 2026

Comptroller Murtala Mu’azu has assumed duty as the 33rd Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), pledging to consolidate the Command’s gains in revenue generation, trade facilitation, enforcement and institutional discipline.

Mu’azu made the commitment on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, during the assumption-of-office and farewell ceremony held at the Auditorium of the Apapa Area Command in Lagos.

The ceremony brought together heads of security and regulatory agencies, representatives of government institutions, terminal operators, shipping companies, business stakeholders, customs brokers and other partners of the Command, who gathered to bid farewell to the outgoing Controller and welcome his successor.

In a statement signed by Isah Sulaiman, Chief Superintendent of Customs and Public Relations Officer, Apapa Area Command, on behalf of the Customs Area Controller, Mu’azu described his appointment as “a great honour and privilege,” expressing appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, fnipr, psc+, for the confidence reposed in him.

“I accept this responsibility with a deep sense of duty and a firm commitment to the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service and the economic interest of our dear nation,” Mu’azu stated.

Three-Pillar Strategy

The new CAC said his administration would be guided by the three strategic pillars of the Comptroller-General of Customs — consolidation, collaboration and innovation — with particular emphasis on revenue integrity, efficient trade facilitation, professionalism and meaningful stakeholder engagement.

On revenue generation, Mu’azu stressed the importance of ensuring that every revenue due to the Federal Government is properly assessed and collected, adding that decisions taken by customs officers must remain transparent and capable of withstanding scrutiny.

“Every revenue due to government must be properly assessed and collected, and every decision taken by our officers must be capable of standing the test of scrutiny over time,” he said.

He also pledged to deepen collaboration with importers, exporters, licensed customs agents, shipping companies, terminal operators, port authorities and other government agencies to improve operational efficiency at Apapa Port.

According to him, the NCS would continue working towards making the port more responsive to legitimate trade while ensuring strict compliance with established procedures and regulatory requirements.

No Room for Avoidable Delays

A major focus of the new administration, Mu’azu declared, would be the elimination of avoidable delays in cargo processing.

He specifically warned against unnecessary human-induced delays which, he said, constitute non-tariff barriers capable of frustrating legitimate trade.

“Unnecessary human delays in cargo processing otherwise known as Non-Tariff Barriers shall not be tolerated henceforth,” he stated.

He said where all statutory requirements had been fulfilled, legitimate cargo should be allowed to move without unnecessary obstruction.

At the same time, he charged customs officers to maintain discipline, professionalism, decorum and courtesy in their dealings with members of the trading public.

The ₦323 Billion Benchmark

Mu’azu acknowledged the significant achievements recorded under his predecessor, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba (Rtd), particularly in revenue generation.

During Oshoba’s tenure, the Apapa Area Command recorded a historic monthly revenue collection of ₦323 billion in July 2026, while a single-day collection of ₦28.102 billion was recorded on August 18, 2026.

For the incoming Controller, those figures represent both an achievement to be acknowledged and a benchmark to be sustained.

“This is indeed a record to reckon with and strive towards matching same. It is therefore a Herculean task upon myself and my team to match and surpass such a record,” Mu’azu stated.

He also commended Oshoba for his contributions to enforcement, trade facilitation and the implementation of modernisation initiatives of the Nigeria Customs Service.

Among the initiatives highlighted were B’Odogwu, Advance Ruling, the Authorised Economic Operator Programme, One-Stop Shop and Non-Intrusive Inspection technology.

The statement noted that Advance Ruling gives legitimate traders greater predictability and clarity on Customs treatment before importation, helping to reduce uncertainty and strengthen confidence in the trading environment.

Oshoba: Discipline Must Remain the Foundation

In his farewell address, the outgoing Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, expressed appreciation to officers, men and stakeholders of the Apapa Area Command for their support and cooperation throughout his tenure.

He emphasised that the accomplishments recorded under his leadership were the result of collective effort.

“The achievements recorded during my tenure do not belong to one individual. They belong to all of us,” the retired Controller said.

Oshoba urged officers to sustain the standards established during his tenure, stressing the importance of discipline and professionalism.

“Discipline must remain our foundation, professionalism our standard and excellence our aspiration,” he stated.

He also appealed to officers and stakeholders to extend the same cooperation to his successor in the interest of continuity and further development of the Command.

A Collective Responsibility

Responding, Mu’azu called for collective commitment from customs officers and stakeholders to ensure the continued success of the Apapa Area Command.

“The success we seek cannot be achieved by the CAC alone. It requires our collective efforts, operational integrity and willingness to uphold the standards of the Service,” he said.

The new Controller assured stakeholders of an open and constructive relationship anchored on fairness, mutual respect and the national interest.

With the Apapa Command serving as one of the country’s critical gateways for international trade and a major contributor to government revenue, Mu’azu’s assumption of office places renewed emphasis on balancing revenue mobilisation, efficient trade facilitation, enforcement and professionalism.

He expressed confidence that the Apapa Area Command would continue to serve as a model of efficient revenue administration, legitimate trade facilitation and professional conduct under his leadership.