Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded an impressive N1.378 trillion in revenue between January and June 2025, marking a major milestone in the nation’s port operations.
Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Command, disclosed this on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) in Lagos.
Olomu attributed the revenue breakthrough to strategic partnerships with key industry stakeholders such as NAGAFF, while commending the association for its unwavering support towards the reform agenda of the Comptroller-General of Customs.
“I am pleased to announce that, through strategic collaboration with partners like NAGAFF, we have successfully collected a total of N1.378 trillion between January and June 2025,” Olomu said. “I also want to sincerely appreciate your continuous support for the Comptroller-General’s transformation agenda.”
The Customs boss emphasized the crucial role stakeholder collaboration plays in the ongoing Customs modernization drive. He highlighted initiatives like the B’Odogwu platform and noted that NAGAFF members have actively participated in training programs designed to develop indigenous solutions for port operations.
Describing the NAGAFF Academy as a forward-looking institution, Olomu praised its commitment to capacity building within the freight forwarding profession.
“NAGAFF Academy is a testament to the value you place on training and professional development. It is clear that you are a strategic organization preparing for the future, and we respect you for that,” he said.
He also used the occasion to encourage NAGAFF members to adopt healthy living practices, noting that Apapa Customs Command operates a functional clinic accessible to both Customs officers and stakeholders within the port environment.
In his remarks, NAGAFF Founder, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, applauded Olomu’s leadership, revealing that cases of harassment and inspection-related disputes at the port have significantly reduced since his assumption of office.
“In the past, I would often stay up until 2 a.m. responding to aggrieved members complaining about harassment and cargo inspection disputes. But today, that narrative has changed under Comptroller Olomu’s leadership. We are seeing improved professionalism, smoother operations, and an astronomical growth in revenue. This is a new and promising era for freight forwarding at Apapa Port,” Aniebonam stated.
He further urged freight forwarders to embrace transparency and accurate documentation, stressing that the success of the destination inspection regime depends heavily on honest cargo declarations.
Welcoming the Customs boss, NAGAFF President, Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, described the visit as a demonstration of renewed commitment to trust, collaboration, and mutual progress.
“This visit is a clear demonstration of renewed commitment to trust, collaboration, and progress. We are confident that this will strengthen the synergy between Customs and freight forwarders at Apapa Port,” Ezisi said.