The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has achieved a historic milestone, generating an unprecedented ₦304 billion in revenue for October 2025 — the highest ever recorded by any customs command in Nigeria’s history.
This remarkable achievement was confirmed by the Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, in a statement released by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs Tunde Ayagbalo, and reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). The figure surpasses the ₦264 billion collected in October 2024, setting a new benchmark for customs revenue generation nationwide.
According to Oshoba, the command’s outstanding performance reflects sustained reforms, enhanced trade facilitation, and improved compliance levels among port users. Between January and October 2025, Apapa Command has already collected over ₦2.4 trillion, exceeding the total annual revenue for 2024 — a sign of continued operational excellence and efficiency under his leadership.
“The Apapa Command has entered a new phase of revenue performance,” Oshoba stated. “Generating ₦304 billion in a single month is a testament to the dedication of our officers, the cooperation of stakeholders, and the effectiveness of recent digital reforms.”
Pioneering Reforms and Operational Efficiency
Oshoba emphasized that the command’s revenue growth is being supported by advanced technological infrastructure and new operational models designed to streamline trade. Among these innovations is the Drive-Through Scanning System, an automated inspection technology capable of processing up to 150 containers per hour. The system, which is expected to be fully operational in early 2026, will reduce physical examination of goods, cut clearance time, and significantly curb smuggling or undervaluation attempts.
In line with directives from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, Apapa officers have undergone extensive retraining programs aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency, and integrity in customs operations. Oshoba reiterated the Command’s commitment to a “zero-compromise” approach toward revenue recovery and anti-corruption enforcement.
“Every officer is aware that our success depends on professionalism and accountability,” he added. “We are ensuring strict compliance while facilitating legitimate trade through technology-driven systems.”
One-Stop-Shop Model to Transform Trade
To further boost efficiency, the command is rolling out a One-Stop-Shop (OSS) model — a centralized processing framework that allows all relevant customs units to jointly handle declarations in one location. This system eliminates duplication, shortens processing time, and minimizes opportunities for delay or extortion.
The OSS initiative, piloted across Apapa, Tin Can, and Onne ports since September 2025, aims to reduce average cargo clearance time from 21 days to 48 hours. Once consignments are cleared under this model, they will no longer be re-intercepted by other units, improving predictability and confidence in Nigeria’s import-export process.
In addition, the NCS has launched a digital overtime e-clearance platform, enabling importers to regularize and release long-standing cargo trapped at ports. This innovation helps decongest terminals, reduce demurrage, and curb manual interference — a long-standing challenge in Nigeria’s port ecosystem.
Implications for Trade and the Economy
The Apapa Command’s record-breaking performance holds significant implications for Nigeria’s fiscal position. As the nation’s primary gateway for imports, Apapa accounts for a large share of customs revenue and trade volume. The ₦304 billion collection in October alone represents roughly 13% of the NCS’s total 2025 target, positioning the service on track to surpass its annual projection.
Analysts say the Command’s achievement demonstrates how digital transformation and enforcement discipline can coexist to enhance government revenue. Improved automation has not only boosted transparency but also enhanced investor confidence in Nigeria’s trade system.
Maritime stakeholders have praised the Customs Service for adopting modern trade facilitation tools that align with global best practices. Freight forwarders and terminal operators say the reforms are beginning to yield tangible results, particularly in reducing clearance delays and simplifying documentation processes.
A New Benchmark for Efficiency
With the combination of strong leadership, digital innovation, and collaboration between public and private sector actors, the Apapa Command is fast becoming a model for customs modernization across West Africa. The record-setting revenue of ₦304 billion stands as a clear indication that Nigeria’s ports can deliver higher efficiency and transparency when properly managed.
As Comptroller Oshoba noted, “Our goal is not just to collect revenue, but to create a trade environment that is fast, fair, and future-ready. This record shows that we are on the right path.”
With sustained reforms, the Apapa Command is projected to surpass ₦2.8 trillion in annual revenue by December 2025 — a milestone that would reinforce its reputation as Nigeria’s most productive customs formation and a critical pillar of the country’s economic resilience.
