APAPA CUSTOMS GENERATES N302.95B IN OCTOBER AS MU’AZU INTENSIFIES TRADE FACILITATION REFORMS
Apapa Customs Generates ₦302.95bn in October as Mu’azu Intensifies Trade Facilitation Reforms
…CAC warns against cargo clearance delays, illicit trade
By Babatunde Aremu
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, generated ₦302.95 billion in revenue in October 2026, recording an increase of ₦20.16 billion over the ₦282.79 billion collected in September.
The October revenue performance represents a 7.13 per cent month-on-month increase and marks another milestone for the Command, following its record collection of over ₦323 billion in July 2026.
The performance comes barely a month after Comptroller Murtala Mu’azu assumed office as Customs Area Controller on September 29, 2026, with renewed emphasis on operational efficiency, stakeholder collaboration and trade facilitation.
Since taking over the Command, Mu’azu has prioritised engagement with critical stakeholders in the port community in line with the
Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi’s policy thrust of Consolidation, Collaboration and Innovation.
A stakeholder engagement meeting held on October 5 brought together importers, exporters, licensed Customs agents, shipping companies and terminal operators to address challenges affecting port operations, including delays in Demand Notices and cargo clearance bottlenecks.
The new CAC has also embarked on courtesy visits to strategic partners and stakeholders to strengthen institutional relationships and promote a more business-friendly environment for port users.
As part of efforts to improve service delivery, Mu’azu has initiated measures to streamline the processing of Transire, eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic bottlenecks and improve coordination among departments.
He explained that the initiative was designed to reduce processing time while maintaining the necessary compliance and control measures.
According to him, traders should not bear the consequences of avoidable administrative lapses, stressing the need for practical solutions to operational challenges that could impede legitimate business activities.
The CAC has also directed officers to ensure that cargo examinations strictly follow established procedures, with the requisite documentation and authorisation.
He warned against unnecessary, repetitive and unwarranted examinations capable of frustrating legitimate transactions, while charging officers to perform their duties promptly and professionally without compromising revenue protection, compliance and national security.
The directives, according to the Command, are aimed at improving cargo clearance and turnaround time in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
Meanwhile, the Command has recorded notable enforcement successes with the interception of 437 sachets of Cannabis Sativa weighing 392.5 kilogrammes in two separate containers.
The seized consignments comprised 162 sachets weighing 125 kilogrammes in container number MSKU0486747 and another 275 sachets weighing 267.5 kilogrammes in container number TEMU6149358.
The total Duty Paid Value of the intercepted narcotics was put at ₦196.13 million.
The seizures were conducted through joint examinations with relevant sister agencies, reinforcing the Command’s commitment to preventing the use of Nigeria’s maritime gateway for illicit trade.
The Apapa Area Command said it would sustain its revenue drive, strengthen enforcement and deepen stakeholder partnerships to enhance port efficiency.
Under Mu’azu’s leadership, the Command said it would continue to pursue a balanced approach that safeguards government revenue and national security while facilitating legitimate trade and supporting economic growth.
