Comptroller Mu’azu assumes Duty as Apapa Customs CAC

Comptroller Mu’azu assumes duty as Apapa Customs CAC

By Babatunde Aremu

The new comptroller of Customs of the Apapa area Command , Murtala Mu’azu has on Tuesday assumed Duty

The assumption-of-office and farewell ceremony was held at the Apapa Area Command Auditorium and attracted heads of security and regulatory agencies, terminal operators, shipping companies, licensed customs agents and other stakeholders who offered goodwill messages to both the outgoing and incoming Controllers

In his inaugural address, Mu’azu described his appointment as a “great honour and privilege” and expressed appreciation to the *Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi*, for the confidence reposed in him.

He pledged that his administration will align with the three strategic pillars of the CGC — *consolidation, collaboration and innovation* — with emphasis on *revenue integrity, efficient trade facilitation, professionalism and stakeholder engagement*.

On revenue, Mu’azu stressed that every revenue due to government must be properly assessed and collected, and every decision taken by officers must be capable of standing the test of scrutiny.

The new CAC declared zero tolerance for avoidable delays in cargo processing, warning that unnecessary human delays, also known as Non-Tariff Barriers, will no longer be tolerated.

_“Where all requirements have been met, legitimate cargo must be allowed to move without avoidable obstruction,”_ he declared, directing officers to maintain discipline, professionalism, decorum and courtesy in their dealings with the trading public.

He assured stakeholders that the Command would deepen collaboration with importers, exporters, licensed agents, shipping companies, terminal operators and partner government agencies to make Apapa Port more efficient and responsive to legitimate trade.

Mu’azu acknowledged the formidable legacy of his predecessor, noting that under Oshoba, Apapa Customs recorded a historic *monthly collection of N323 billion in July 2026* and a *single-day collection of N28.102 billion on August 18, 2026*.

_“This is indeed a record to reckon with and strive towards matching same. It is therefore a Herculean task upon myself and my team to match and surpass such a record,”_ Mu’azu said.

He also commended Oshoba’s contributions to enforcement, trade facilitation and modernisation initiatives including the *B’Odogwu platform, Advance Ruling, Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, One-Stop Shop and Non-Intrusive Inspection technology*.

In his farewell address, Comptroller Oshoba attributed the achievements to collective efforts, noting that the records belonged to all officers and stakeholders.

He charged officers to sustain the standards, saying: _

“Discipline must remain our foundation, professionalism our standard and excellence our aspiration”

Mu’azu assured that his administration will maintain an open and constructive relationship based on fairness, mutual respect and national interest, positioning Apapa as a model for efficient revenue administration and legitimate trade facilitation.