Apapa Customs Generates N1.37 Trillion In Half-Year Revenue, Makes Massive Seizures – CAC OLomu

Apapa Customs Generates N1.37 Trillion In Half-Year Revenue, Makes Massive Seizures – CAC OLomu

By Frank Odinukaeze

The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded a significant revenue collection of ₦1.378 trillion in the first half of 2025, representing a 35% increase over the ₦1.023 trillion generated during the same period in 2024.

This was disclosed by the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, fsi, Ph.D, during a mid-year press conference held at the command headquarters on Thursday, July 3, 2025.

According to Comptroller Olomu, the remarkable revenue performance is attributable to “the diligence of officers, enhanced compliance by port users, deployment of technology, and strategic stakeholder engagement,” all aligning with the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, psc(+).

“We have always insisted on maximum collection of government revenue by preventing leakages and applying demand notices where necessary. Our trajectory indicates the possibility of surpassing our annual target,” he said.

The CAC also highlighted the successful deployment of the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS) — known as B’Odogwu — in the Apapa Command. The system, a homegrown digital innovation, has already issued its first Single Goods Declaration (SGD) on May 9, 2025, marking a milestone in cargo processing and trade facilitation.

Olomu said the platform has reduced delays, addressed connectivity issues, and enhanced the speed of cargo clearance at the port. He further disclosed ongoing consultations with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and stakeholders towards establishing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for moving goods by rail from Apapa Port to various parts of the country — a move expected to reduce congestion and provide cheaper alternatives for cargo movement.

In the area of anti-smuggling, theApapa Command seized 27 containers between January and June 2025, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over ₦9.2 billion. Items intercepted include unregistered pharmaceuticals, codeine syrup, second-hand clothing, expired margarine, wild animal skins, and stolen vehicles.

Nine of those seized containers were displayed during the press briefing.

“We will never compromise the health and safety of Nigerians on the altar of trade facilitation. Every consignment undergoes scanning and physical examination when necessary,” Olomu declared.
A container of matches imported without the mandatory End User Certificate (EUC) was also detained, while three bonded terminals were sealed for infractions, with one already facing court prosecution.

The CAC used the occasion to commend the collaboration among sister agencies, noting that intelligence sharing and joint operations have delivered effective blows against economic sabotage and national security threats.

He also sounded a stern warning to smugglers and perpetrators of illegal trade:
“Apapa Port Command is manned by eagle-eyed officers with clear directives to arrest and prosecute offenders. We have demonstrated this, and we shall continue to do more.”

Comptroller Olomu thanked the media for their continued support and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to national economic growth and security under the leadership of CGC Adeniyi