Adenuga Hits Off With 182% Revenue Increase, Processed 53,989 MT Export

…Averts Major Food Poisoning With Interception of Expired Flour

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

L-R: Compt. Adenuga, Seme NDLEA and NAFADAC Chiefs, Dr. Audu during the ganding over of relevant seizures by the NCS

In a powerful debut marked by sweeping reforms and decisive enforcement, Comptroller Wale Adenuga of the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, Thursday, October 9, 2025 announced a staggering 182% revenue surge and the facilitation of over 53,989 metric tonnes of non-oil exports within just 30 days of assuming office.

Addressing news men during his maiden media briefing held at the COWA Complex, Seme Border, Adenuga attributed the Command’s exceptional performance to the strategic vision of the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, whose policy thrust of Consolidation, Collaboration, and Innovation has galvanized operations across the Lagos–Abidjan corridor.

The trucks of expired flour

On the impressive revenue rise, the Command recorded ₦1.5 billion in revenue for September 2025, a dramatic leap from ₦531 million in August. This unprecedented growth reflects the impact of streamlined trade procedures, enhanced transparency, and data-driven monitoring, under Adenuga’s leadership.

The Seme Border customs boss has also radically impacted  the nation’s non oil trading sector through the Lagos-Abidjan Corridor pushing for exponential export boom. Under his watch and in alignment with the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda, the Command facilitated the export of 53,989.46 metric tonnes of agricultural and manufactured goods, valued at ₦7.97 billion.

An elated Adenuga disclosed that the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) fees generated from above stood at ₦39.8 million, reinforcing Seme’s role as a vital hub under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme.

Impounded fuel

Apparently a golden fish without a hiding place, Adenuga’s tenure has also seen aggressive anti-smuggling operations. In a joint effort with NAFDAC, five trucks carrying 10,000 bags of expired flour said to have originated from Egypt—worth ₦1.21 billion—were intercepted, averting potential public health disasters.

Other seizures made within the period under review includes 1,104 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 120 packs of Tramadol (120mg), 2,043 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 150 bales of second-hand clothing, 169 bottles of codeine-laced cough syrup, and 5 vehicles being the means of conveyance.  Adenuga put the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of all seizures at ₦1.99 billion.

Bags of the offensive flours on display

It is instructive that the Command hosted two major stakeholder engagements earlier in the week, uniting security agencies, traditional rulers, and Customs counterparts from Benin Republic. Resolutions were reached to eliminate extortion and harmonize border operations during the engagement, further strengthening the Lagos–Abidjan trade corridor.

Looking ahead, Adenuga reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to balancing revenue generation, trade facilitation, and national security. “We are building a smarter, safer, and more prosperous border corridor,” he declared, pledging continued collaboration, technological advancement, and intelligence-led enforcement.

Seized bales of second hand clothing

With a blend of visionary leadership and operational grit, Adenuga’s first month at the helm signals a transformative era for the Seme Area Command—one defined by growth, integrity, and regional integration.