Seme Customs Hit N3.6Billion Monthly Revenue Figure

…As Adenuga Tightens The Noose,

BY KESSIENA SHEPHERDS

The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command recorded unprecedented revenue milestones in 2025, achieving its highest-ever monthly and annual collections since inception. In December 2025, the Command generated a historic Three Billion, Six Hundred and Twenty-Eight Million, Four Hundred and Eighty-Five Thousand, Five Hundred and Ninety Naira (₦3,628,485,590.00).

A statement by the Command Public Relations Officer, SC Tunde Ayagbalo said the above figure is the highest monthly revenue to date, on record. He further attributed the record to the effective rollout of the One-Stop Shop (OSS) initiative by the Comptroller-General of Customs, which improves the Command’s coordination and trade facilitation for stakeholders.

Giving a breakdown of the Command’s performance in the year ended 2025, Ayagbalo disclosed that from January to December 2025, the Command generated the  total  of Fifteen Billion, Five Hundred and Ninety-Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Forty-Five Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ninety-Four Naira (₦15,598,945,794.00k) only, marking a remarkable 117% increase over the ₦7,166,576,397.49 recorded in 2024.

Speaking on the activities of the command, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Wale Adenuga said on 11 November 2025, the Command hosted the launch of the Green Border Initiative by the National President of the Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA), Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, featuring an empowerment programme that distributed industrial sewing machines, grinding machines, gas burners with cylinders and start-up grants to members of the COWA Seme Chapter.

Adenuga added that on the same day, the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR PhD launched a free medical outreach under the Customs Cares Initiative, delivering essential healthcare to over 1,000 beneficiaries, alongside a tree-planting exercise for environmental sustainability.

It is further noted that in alignment with the Comptroller General’s directive, Comptroller Adenuga  through strategic partnership with the leadership of security agencies operating at the border reduced checkpoints along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor to the Two (2) locations approved by the Federal Government, significantly easing legitimate trade, minimizing delays and contributing to the Command’s outstanding revenue performance.

According to the release, the Command also maintained robust anti-smuggling operations, seizing in December 2025;  685 parcels of Cannabis sativa (Marijuana), 495 packs of Tramadol, and 2,000 packs of Super Power Sildenafil tablets (300mg) an excessively high-dosage sexual enhancement drug,  through intelligence-led operations, enhanced patrols, risk profiling and inter-agency collaboration.

Comptroller Adenuga warn smugglers that the Seme borders are no longer safe for illicit activities. With advanced intelligence, technology and unwavering vigilance, the Officers/men of the Command will intercept and prosecute offenders. He advised Smugglers to desist immediately or face the full weight of the law.

While assuring legitimate traders and compliant stakeholders of a safe, conducive and efficient trade facilitation within Seme corridor, he encouraged users of the corridor to take advantage of the seamless processes and reduced delays to support genuine cross-border commerce and economic growth.

In addition, Comptroller Adenuga expressed profound gratitude to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR and his management for their steadfast support and leadership guidance. He also thanked the Command’s officers and men, stakeholders, sister agencies, military and paramilitary forces, the media, traditional and community leaders for their invaluable contributions, while pledging even greater achievements in 2026.