The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, has recorded ₦323 billion in revenue for July 2026, setting a new record for the highest monthly collection in the history of the Command.
The latest feat adds to the series of remarkable revenue performances recorded under the leadership of Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, who previously oversaw a ₦304 billion collection in October 2025.
Oshoba disclosed the July revenue figure during the Command’s monthly meeting with Deputy Comptrollers overseeing terminals and Unit Heads earlier in the week. He attributed the performance to a combination of supportive government policies, operational improvements and increased compliance by stakeholders.
The Customs Area Controller praised the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, alongside the management team of the Service, for their sustained efforts to modernise the Nigeria Customs Service.
“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,” he said.
According to Oshoba, the ongoing reforms are yielding tangible results across the Command. He cited the improved performance of the B’Odogwu system, which had previously encountered operational difficulties but has now been enhanced to deliver better outcomes.
He also highlighted the One-Stop Shop (OSS) initiative, saying it has reduced cargo delivery timelines while providing a more predictable trading environment capable of encouraging legitimate importation.
“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 added.
Oshoba said intelligence-led enforcement activities had also contributed to the improved compliance level, noting that officers and men of the Command had intensified interventions aimed at uncovering false declarations and ensuring adherence to the Service’s valuation principles in order to safeguard government revenue.
The Customs Area Controller also attributed part of the Command’s performance to the business environment fostered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly the relative stability in the foreign exchange market.
He explained that greater predictability in the forex market had enabled businesses to plan more effectively, make informed decisions and undertake trading activities with increased confidence. At the same time, he challenged officers to assess their individual contributions beyond routine revenue collection.
“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 Comptroller emphasised the need to sustain efforts aimed at facilitating trade and improving the ease of doing business, describing the prevailing operating environment as increasingly predictable and favourable to economic growth.
He directed officers to ensure that disputes are addressed without unnecessary delays and instructed that consignments requiring additional scrutiny must be handled through appropriate documentation and the Post Clearance Audit (PCA) process.
On relations with stakeholders, Oshoba urged officers to maintain a positive and professional approach, stressing the importance of leaving people with confidence in the system.
“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 also recognised the cooperation received from stakeholders and sister government agencies, saying their support had contributed to stronger compliance and improved order within the business environment. He urged officers to strengthen such relationships through professionalism, mutual respect and collaboration.
Comptroller Oshoba further charged personnel to maintain transparency and discipline while adopting smarter ways of working. He advised them to remain conversant with emerging digital processes and seek guidance from more experienced colleagues whenever necessary.
He described leadership as a shared responsibility and called on Staff Officers to assist Deputy Controllers in maintaining discipline while promoting a healthy workplace characterised by compassion, empathy, teamwork and genuine concern for the welfare of junior personnel.
The Comptroller also directed officers to strengthen security awareness, improve supervision, undertake continuous in-house training and adhere strictly to approved procedures. He charged all Units to build on the Command’s current momentum, invest in professional development and remain committed to productivity and effective service delivery.
