Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, has recorded an impressive N3.48 billion in revenue for February 2026 despite the month not yet ending signaling a major rebound in cross-border trade along the Lagos–Abidjan corridor.
Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, revealed that the Command generated N3,480,970,924.67 as of February 2026, a dramatic rise from N743,698,652.16 recorded in the same period in 2025.
He attributed the sharp increase to enhanced trade facilitation efforts and rising confidence among cross-border traders operating on the Seme–Krake route.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement meeting in Badagry on Wednesday, Adenuga said the revenue jump reflects smoother trade flow and improved compliance by traders.
The meeting was organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in partnership with the ECOWAS Commission, the ECOWAS Agricultural Trade Programme, and GIZ International. Adenuga represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
“For this February that has not yet ended, we have already generated N3,480,970,924.67 as against N743,698,652.16 in February 2025. This clearly shows that the flow of trade is getting better and people are building greater confidence in the Seme–Krake corridor,” he said.
Adenuga also assured traders that the reduction in checkpoints along the Seme–Gbaji axis followed extensive collaboration with security agencies. Only Agbara and Gbaji remain the officially approved Customs checkpoints along the corridor.
He added that crime has dropped significantly in the area due to frequent joint border security meetings among all agencies stationed at the post. This cooperation, he noted, has strengthened intelligence sharing and improved coordinated responses to security threats, creating a safer environment for legitimate trade.
Despite the strong revenue performance, Adenuga emphasized that the Command remains resolute in combating smuggling and other illicit activities. He disclosed that operatives recently intercepted a Toyota Highlander transporting 22 parcels of cocaine, valued at over N1 billion, following credible intelligence.
In February alone, officers also seized 1,000 bags of 50kg parboiled rice, reinforcing the Command’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s economic borders.
Adenuga reaffirmed the Seme Command’s readiness to deepen collaboration with traders, farmers, security operatives, and regional institutions to sustain trade growth while maintaining robust border security across the Lagos–Abidjan corridor.