Joyce Mmereole Okoli
In a handover ceremony at Apapa Port on Monday, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu assumed the role of Customs Area Controller (CAC), outlining his priorities amidst Nigeria’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Taking the reins from his predecessor, Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba, Olomu emphasized Nigeria’s pivotal position in West and Central Africa’s trade landscape.
Olomu articulated his commitment to aligning Apapa Port with international trade facilitation reforms, particularly emphasizing the adoption of modern customs practices. Highlighting the significance of enhanced efficiency, he urged officers to embrace forthcoming changes such as e-customs and Advanced Ruling Policy, aimed at optimizing Nigeria’s role in the global supply chain.
“We are revving Nigeria’s readiness for improved trade with fellow African countries and the world at large. As you may be aware, the management of the service is committed to evolving a more modern customs with Apapa Port being a nucleus to the implementation of the many trade facilitation reforms championed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR.”
“I want to urge our officers to brace up for the changes that will feature as fallouts of customs modernization, otherwise called e-customs, AEO, and many other groundbreaking World Customs Organization (WCO) innovations like the recently introduced advanced ruling policy. This will enable them to enjoy more gains of trading across borders in the global supply chain in line with the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC), the WCO Supply Chain Management Guidelines, and the various national best practices.”
Furthermore, Olomu pledged to expedite official procedures, establishing a dedicated trade dispute resolution mechanism to uphold operational excellence. With a focus on revenue optimization, he stressed the importance of timely file processing to prevent bottlenecks and ensure seamless revenue inflow for the government.
“I shall set up a trade dispute resolution seat that will operate every day including weekends to ensure that we make this Command a true front liner in global best practices in terms of customs operation for other customs formations to emulate.”
“Being the customs command handling the largest volume of trade in Nigeria, Apapa Command under my leadership won’t be complacent and will be open to continuous engagement with everyone. My doors are open for advice on how best to achieve our mandate because we are all here to add value and do better,” Olomu stated.
Reflecting on his tenure, outgoing CAC, Comptroller Jaiyeoba, celebrated notable revenue milestones achieved under his leadership, citing a record-breaking monthly collection of N182 billion in April 2024.
“It is noteworthy, to explain that in the month of April 2024 alone, the command generated N182 billion which is a record-breaking monthly collection in the history of the service. On February 23, 2024, we recorded revenue collection milestone by generating N16,021,660,412.00.
“This daily collection strengthened our cumulative figure. These are laudable developments coming at a time the port is not enjoying its full import trade potentials owing to so many factors,”
Jaiyeoba lauded the dedication of officers in safeguarding revenue through anti-smuggling efforts and efficient clearance processes.
In welcoming Comptroller Olomu, Jaiyeoba called for unified support, underscoring the new leader’s track record as a collaborative and results-driven officer. Encouraging stakeholders to rally behind Olomu, he envisioned collective success and emphasized the importance of sustained cooperation for mutual benefit.
“I want to implore all our officers, sister government agencies and stakeholders to join me in formally welcoming Comptroller Olomu.
Let’s triple or possibly, quadruple the cooperation and support I got for him. His success is our common benefit. For over three decades, I have known him to be a team player and result-oriented officer,” Jaiyeoba stated .
As Apapa Port braces for a new chapter under Olomu’s stewardship, anticipation mounts for enhanced trade facilitation, bolstered revenue generation, and fortified partnerships in the evolving landscape of regional and global commerce.