Mu’azu Assumes Duty As 33rd Apapa Customs Controller, Pledges To Sustain Revenue, Trade Facilitation

By Suleiman Aremu | Solaremnews |Tuesday 29, September, 2026

Comptroller Murtala Mu’azu has formally assumed duty as the 33rd Customs Area Controller (CAC), Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), pledging to consolidate the Command’s achievements in revenue generation, trade facilitation, enforcement and institutional discipline.

The new Controller made the commitment on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, during the assumption-of-office and farewell ceremony held at the Auditorium of the Apapa Area Command, Lagos.

The ceremony was attended by heads of security and regulatory agencies, representatives of government agencies, terminal operators, shipping and business stakeholders, customs brokers and other partners of the Command, who delivered goodwill messages to the outgoing and incoming Controllers.

In a statement signed by Isah Sulaiman, Chief Superintendent of Customs and Customs Public Relations Officer, Apapa Area Command, for the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mu’azu described his appointment as “a great honour and privilege” and expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, fnipr, psc+, for the confidence reposed in him.

“I accept this responsibility with a deep sense of duty and a firm commitment to the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service and the economic interest of our dear nation,” Mu’azu stated.

He said his administration would be guided by the three strategic pillars of the Comptroller-General of Customs — consolidation, collaboration and innovation — with particular emphasis on revenue integrity, efficient trade facilitation, professionalism and stakeholder engagement.

On revenue generation, the new CAC stressed the need for proper assessment and collection of all revenue due to the Federal Government, noting that decisions taken by customs officers must remain subject to scrutiny.

“Every revenue due to government must be properly assessed and collected, and every decision taken by our officers must be capable of standing the test of scrutiny over time,” he said.

Mu’azu also promised to strengthen collaboration with importers, exporters, licensed customs agents, shipping companies, terminal operators, port authorities and other government agencies in order to improve the efficiency of operations at the Apapa Port.

He said the NCS remained committed to making the port more responsive to legitimate trade while ensuring that necessary procedures and requirements were observed.

The new Controller further declared that his administration would not tolerate avoidable delays in cargo processing, particularly what he described as non-tariff barriers arising from unnecessary human delays.

“Unnecessary human delays in cargo processing otherwise known as Non-Tariff Barriers shall not be tolerated henceforth,” he stated.

According to him, where all necessary requirements have been fulfilled, legitimate cargo should be allowed to move without avoidable obstruction, while customs officers are expected to maintain discipline, professionalism, decorum and courtesy in their dealings with members of the trading public.

Mu’azu also acknowledged the achievements recorded by his predecessor, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba (Rtd), particularly in revenue generation.

Under Oshoba, the Apapa Area Command recorded a historic monthly revenue collection of ₦323 billion in July 2026, while a single-day collection of ₦28.102 billion was achieved on 18 August 2026.

Acknowledging the challenge of sustaining the performance, Mu’azu said the records represented a significant benchmark for the new administration.

“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,” he said.

The new CAC also commended Oshoba for his contributions to enforcement, trade facilitation and the implementation of modernisation initiatives of the Nigeria Customs Service.

These initiatives include B’Odogwu, Advance Ruling, the Authorised Economic Operator Programme, One-Stop Shop and Non-Intrusive Inspection technology.

The statement noted that Advance Ruling provides legitimate traders with greater predictability and clarity regarding Customs treatment before importation, thereby reducing uncertainty and strengthening confidence in the trading environment.

In his farewell address, Oshoba expressed appreciation to officers, men and stakeholders of the Apapa Area Command for their support and cooperation throughout his tenure.

“The achievements recorded during my tenure do not belong to one individual. They belong to all of us,” the retired Controller said.

He charged officers of the Command to sustain the standards achieved during his tenure, stressing the importance of discipline and professionalism.

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

He also urged the officers and stakeholders to extend the same support and cooperation to his successor to ensure continuity and further development of the Command.

Responding, Mu’azu called for collective efforts from officers and stakeholders towards the continued success of the Apapa Area Command.

“The success we seek cannot be achieved by the CAC alone. It requires our collective efforts, operational integrity and willingness to uphold the standards of the Service,” he said.

The new Controller assured stakeholders of an open and constructive relationship based on fairness, mutual respect and the national interest.

He expressed confidence that the Apapa Area Command would continue to serve as a model of efficient revenue administration, legitimate trade facilitation and professional conduct under his leadership.