Joyce Mmereole Okoli
Apapa Customs Command has posted its highest-ever monthly revenue collection of ₦323 billion for July 2026, with Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, attributing the landmark feat to ongoing reforms, improved compliance, operational efficiency and greater stability in the foreign exchange market.
Oshoba disclosed the record performance on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, during the Command’s monthly meeting with Deputy Comptrollers in charge of terminals and Unit Heads.
The July figure surpasses the Command’s previous record of ₦304 billion achieved in October 2025 under Oshoba’s leadership, further highlighting the growing revenue performance of the nation’s busiest Customs command.
The Customs Area Controller commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, and the management team of the Nigeria Customs Service for driving reforms aimed at modernising the Service and improving trade facilitation.
He said the reforms had provided officers with clearer operational direction while making Customs processes more efficient.
“We recognise and acknowledge the CGC’s devotion and dedication to the modernisation project of the Nigerian Customs Service. The management team has introduced several innovations that have streamlined our activities and given us clear direction,” Oshoba said.
According to him, the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System, which initially encountered operational challenges, has been significantly improved and is now delivering stronger results.
He also identified the One-Stop Shop initiative as another major reform contributing to the Command’s improved performance, noting that it had helped reduce cargo delivery time and created a more predictable environment for legitimate businesses.
Oshoba further highlighted the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, which currently has more than 200 beneficiaries, as a significant contributor to the Command’s revenue growth.
“Another important development is the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) framework, which currently has more than 200 beneficiaries. This has positively impacted the revenue profile of the Command,” he said.
The CAC also attributed the revenue growth to intelligence-led enforcement operations, which he said had strengthened compliance and enabled officers to detect false declarations and ensure adherence to approved Customs valuation principles.
He particularly credited the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for creating a more enabling business environment, especially through the relative stability in the foreign exchange market.
Oshoba explained that greater predictability in the forex market had enabled importers and other business operators to plan more effectively, make informed commercial decisions and conduct international trade with increased confidence.
However, he challenged officers to look beyond routine revenue generation and identify additional ways of contributing to the Command’s performance.
“In your Area of Responsibility, you must ask yourself, apart from the normal revenue generated by your Unit, what is your own contribution in terms of intervention? What have I added?” he asked.
The CAC also emphasised the importance of trade facilitation and ease of doing business, describing the current operating environment as increasingly predictable and conducive to legitimate trade.
He directed officers to resolve disputes promptly, ensure proper documentation and make appropriate use of the Post Clearance Audit (PCA) process whenever consignments require further scrutiny.
On stakeholder relations, Oshoba urged Customs personnel to adopt a more professional and humane approach in their dealings with importers, agents and other port users.
“When you interact with stakeholders, let them leave your office with hope rather than despair. As a leader, do not allow anyone who comes to you to depart feeling hopeless or depressed. Give people hope,” he said.
The Area Controller acknowledged the cooperation of stakeholders and sister government agencies, saying their support had contributed to improved compliance and greater order within the port business environment.
He urged officers to sustain the confidence being built through professionalism, mutual respect, transparency and collaboration.
Oshoba also called for greater discipline among personnel, continuous learning and adaptation to evolving digital Customs processes. He encouraged officers to consult experienced colleagues whenever necessary while maintaining strict adherence to approved procedures.
On leadership, the CAC described effective administration as a collective responsibility, charging Staff Officers to support Deputy Controllers in maintaining discipline and promoting a healthy workplace built on teamwork, empathy and concern for the welfare of personnel.
He further directed Units to strengthen security consciousness, supervision and in-house training while maintaining focus on productivity, professionalism and quality service delivery.
While commending officers of the Command and compliant stakeholders for the record ₦323 billion July collection, Oshoba cautioned that the achievement should not be treated as an endpoint.
Rather, he described the feat as a springboard for greater accomplishments as the Command pushes to sustain its revenue momentum through the remaining months of 2026.