By Temidire Adefolarin
The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, has recorded ₦302.95 billion in revenue for October 2026, while intercepting narcotics valued at more than ₦196 million in two separate containers at the Lagos port.
The revenue collection represents a 7.13 per cent increase over the ₦282.79 billion generated in September, translating into an additional ₦20.16 billion within one month.
The figures were disclosed on Thursday, November 5, 2026, by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman, in a statement highlighting the command’s revenue performance, enforcement activities and ongoing efforts to improve port operations.
According to the statement, the October collection represents another performance above the ₦300 billion mark, following the command’s record-breaking revenue generation of more than ₦323 billion in July 2026.
The latest performance comes under the leadership of the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Murtala Mu’azu, who assumed office on September 29, 2026.
Since taking charge, Mu’azu has prioritised stakeholder collaboration, improved operational efficiency and faster service delivery, in alignment with the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi’s policy direction of Consolidation, Collaboration and Innovation.
As part of the measures, the command organised a stakeholder engagement meeting on October 5, bringing together importers, exporters, licensed customs agents, shipping companies and terminal operators.
The meeting provided an opportunity to address challenges affecting port operations, particularly delays in issuing demand notices, cargo clearance bottlenecks and other administrative difficulties confronting port users.
The Customs Area Controller has also undertaken courtesy visits to key stakeholders and strategic partners within the port community to strengthen institutional relationships and encourage cooperation in addressing operational challenges.
A major component of the ongoing reforms is the planned streamlining of transire processing, an initiative intended to eliminate unnecessary administrative procedures, improve coordination among departments and reduce the time required to process cargo-related documentation.
Mu’azu maintained that traders should not be subjected to avoidable hardship arising from administrative inefficiencies, stressing that operational challenges must be identified and addressed without compromising established customs regulations.
He said the command was working towards ensuring that the various departments involved in cargo processing performed their responsibilities more efficiently while maintaining the necessary compliance and control measures.
The CAC has consequently directed officers to conduct cargo examinations strictly in accordance with established procedures, relevant documentation and proper authorisation.
He also warned against unnecessary, repetitive or unwarranted inspections capable of delaying legitimate business transactions.
According to him, officers must carry out their duties promptly and professionally while protecting government revenue, ensuring compliance and safeguarding national security.
The directives, he explained, are intended to accelerate cargo clearance, improve turnaround time and create a more predictable business environment in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
Meanwhile, the command recorded an enforcement breakthrough with the interception of 437 consignments of Cannabis Sativa weighing a combined 392.5 kilogrammes in two separate containers.
The seizures comprised 162 consignments weighing 125 kilogrammes in container number MSKU0486747 and another 275 consignments weighing 267.5 kilogrammes in container number TEMU6149358.
The seized narcotics have a combined Duty Paid Value of ₦196,131,606.82.
Mu’azu disclosed that the interceptions followed joint examinations conducted with relevant sister agencies, highlighting the command’s efforts to prevent the use of Nigeria’s maritime gateways for the movement of prohibited substances.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining revenue growth, strengthening anti-smuggling operations and deepening partnerships with stakeholders to improve the efficiency of port activities.
The Customs Area Controller said the command would continue to balance revenue protection and national security with the need to facilitate legitimate trade, reduce operational delays and support economic growth.
Temidire Adefolarin
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