Adeniyi: The Apapa Customs Role In Stewardship Reward

When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved a one-year extension for the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, it wasn’t just a nod to continuity as many were wont to believing—it was a resounding endorsement of reform, resilience, and results.

Comptroller Olomu

At the heart of this stewardship, lies Apapa Customs, Nigeria’s busiest seaport command; which has become a symbol of transformation under Adeniyi’s watch.

From records it goes without saying that the Apapa Customs Command been the bastion of importation activities also served as the engine room of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) reform.

Often described as the gateway to Nigeria’s economy, Apapa port has long been plagued by inefficiencies, revenue leakages, and corruption. In a deliberate move to achieve a strategic overhaul not only to clip the fetters undermining the system, but that will cascade outwards to sister area commands, Adeniyi appointed Comptroller Babatunde Olomu PhD to superintend over the affairs of the flagship port.

Of course his appointment was rooted on informed premise that stood him out as a tested, focused, politically sagacious and dutiful gentleman officer, who understood the dynamic and indeed intricate nature of customs trade at the port; and management’s expectation of his mandate and focus.

In a record six months, Olomu has shattered every existing record across board, and began to break his own records in a spectacular overtaking spree; holding out the unseen sword and shield and prosecuting the economic and cultural war of change in the name of the CGC, with a defining emphasis on the CGC’s rank insignia, which he always brought to an end with the magical word ‘Dagger’, and in a very dramatic tone.

Close observers must have taken note of the sanctimonious way Olomu carries out this routine ritual, which resonated with an aura of inimitable loyalty; as he faithfully and loyally oversees the affairs of the command like a pious priest on a mission to a region of deep rooted idol worshipers.

His overall exceptional performance both in revenue generation, trade facilitation, and enforcement under customs statutory core function, naturally, could not have been unexpected.

Record Revenue Collection

He shattered previous records, generating over ₦2.357trillion in revenue in 2024 alone, an unprecedented feat that contributed significantly to the overall revenue target of the service, and consequently swelling the national coffers. In October 2024 alone, it collected ₦264.5 billion, the highest monthly revenue in the command’s history.

Between January and July 2025, the Command already generated revenue in excess of N1.5 trillion, with clear expectation to meet and surpass its annual target for the current year, all things being equal.

Anti-Smuggling Drive

Apapa became a frontline in the war against smuggling, with seizures of contraband goods—including arms, narcotics, expired and fake pharmaceuticals—valued at billions of naira.

A total of twenty seven (27) containers were seized by the command between January–June 2025, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦9.27 billion.  The seized items include unregistered pharmaceuticals, codeine syrup (concealed in toilet seats), used clothing, stolen vehicles from Canada, and wild animal skins (violating CITES).

In July 2025 alone, the command impounded 25 containers stuffed with  N9,235,402,973.00,  21 of which discovered to be laden with unregistered and therefore possibly, unsafe pharmaceuticals. This is in addition to the recovery of N1.5billion with ongoing effort to recover another N1.6billion from a bonded terminal believed to be part of a syndicate involved in drug trafficking.

Unrelenting, there are indications that the Olomu led Apapa Command currently have under its radar some numbers of containers laden with fake pharmaceutical products in addition to drugs and arms sources believe it has already built a strong dragnet to prevent their escape from the port.

Trade Facilitation

The command streamlined import/export procedures, aligning with global best practices and boosting Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business ranking. The command in response to the trade modernization drive of the management also key in fully into the adoption of a number of tools designed to streamline cargo clearance and enhance trade facilitation, such as Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) and the Advanced Ruling systems.

He also introduced weekend operations and intra-agency collaboration to reduce delays and enhance the Ease of Doing Business, which facilitated Nigeria’s first AfCFTA shipment to Kenya, and which clearly has positioned Apapa as a continental trade hub.

Digital Transformation

Like a faithful disciple, Olomu replicated at the command level, internal system cutting-edge technology deployed and championed by Adeniyi, including ICT driven-cargo profiling and blockchain-based clearance systems, reducing processing time and curbing sharp practices and fraud.

Stakeholders Engagement

Stakeholder engagement has remained a priority, with the establishment of a Trade Dispute Resolution Desk, weekend operations, and strategic consultations with freight associations, terminal operators, and regulatory bodies. The Command also revived discussions on rail cargo movement to ease port congestion. To sustain operational excellence, Comptroller Olomu launched refresher training programs for newly promoted officers and partnered with APM Terminals to train agents on the new B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System.

These achievements directly reflect the reform agenda of CGC Adewale Adeniyi, whose visionary leadership has elevated the Nigeria Customs Service’s reputation and operational standards.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

While CSR activities are less publicized, Olomu has emphasized community relations designed to promote robust customs–community interface. The CSR includes an open-door policy for feedback and inclusive governance. In the same vein the command upholds public health protection in the seizures of harmful goods framed as a moral duty to protect Nigerian lives.

Under the Command’s transparency and accountability framework, regular press briefings and stakeholder updates to build public trust are held.

Centre of Reform Pillar

On the whole it must be appreciated that the Command’s achievements directly reflect the strategic reforms championed of by customs boss, which were within the framework of his administration’s modernization ambit. These includes: Digitization, AEO, TRS, National Single Window and the full adoption of e-customs and trade facilitation tools.

It is instructive that the entire gamut of modernization processes was clinically executed under Olomu’s watch.

CGC’s Award

For his crusading roles and impressive performances, the Apapa Command won the CGC Best Command Award in Trade Facilitation and Overall Best Command in Revenue Generation in 2024.

Stewardship Rooted in Integrity and Innovation

In line with Adeniyi’s leadership style that blends discipline with diplomacy, Olomu’s stewardship has also been defined in clear cut administrative and behavioural patterns; chiseled in developmental progress and for the good of all and the industry.

Personnel Development & Stakeholder Engagement: He prioritized capacity building, ensuring officers at Apapa and beyond received training in modern customs practices. Leaning on his boss examples, Olomu fostered collaboration with port operators, freight forwarders, and regulatory agencies, creating a more transparent and accountable ecosystem.

Through consistent communication and visible results carried out under the CGC;s directive, he created public trust and restored public confidence in the Nigeria Customs Service.

Comptroller Babatunde Olomu’s leadership at Apapa Command exemplifies the transformative impact of CGC Adewale Adeniyi’s visionary reforms. Their synergy has not only elevated the Nigeria Customs Service’s operational standards but also played a pivotal role in securing Adeniyi’s extended mandate to continue reshaping the Service into a globally respected institution.

Therefore, President Bola Tinubu’s decision to extend CGC Adeniyi’s tenure by one year was rooted in the need to consolidate reforms and complete critical initiatives. The Apapa Command’s stellar performance under Olomu was a key contributor to this decision as the Apapa Port Command’s success validated Adeniyi’s modernization agenda and reform strategy, as enumerated above.