How Bolaji Adigun Plans to Turnaround KLT

BY FUNMI ALUKO

At the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Deputy Comptroller Bolaji Lukman Adigun is quietly but firmly steering a turnaround.

Since assuming office as Acting Area Controller late last year, he has combined discipline, innovation, and integrity to deliver early wins that are already reshaping the Command’s identity.

A Reputation Anchored in Integrity and Numbers

Adigun’s reputation precedes him. At Port Harcourt Area II Command, Onne, he earned the moniker “super revenue guru” for plugging leakages and setting unprecedented records in collections. His mastery of revenue optimization, described by colleagues as “understanding the abacus of customs duty” is now being deployed at KLT with precision and impact. Already, the Command has recorded all-time high revenue collections under his watch.

Digital Transformation

Sources close to the KLT Customs boss say Adigun is pushing for automation of licenses and permits processing, reducing human bottlenecks and cutting down clearance delays. The plans according to them include integrating AI-driven risk management tools to flag suspicious consignments early, aligning KLT with global customs modernization standards.

Revenue Optimization

At KLT, Adigun has already driven revenue collections to all-time highs. His reforms focus on tightening of duty assessment processes, plugging revenue leakages, and insistence on operational discipline among officers. Accordingly, these measures are not short-term fixes but are designed to sustain growth and position KLT as a major revenue hub.

Scorecard of Early Gains

The local maxim that “morning shows he day” holds true for the revenue super officer as Adigun’s short tenure has produced measurable results, highlighted below:

Enforcement Successes: Intelligence-driven operations have led to seizures of expired and improperly declared goods, safeguarding public health and national revenue.

Operational Discipline: The Command’s work culture has also undertaken a visible change for the better as officers’ report renewed accountability, with loopholes spotted and closed under his sharp oversight.

Stakeholder Confidence: Freight forwarders and port operators describe enforcement as tighter while clearance processes are smoother, a balance long sought at Kirirki Lighter Terminal.

These achievements form the backbone of his scorecard, proof that his turnaround plan is not just aspirational but already delivering tangible gains.

The Turnaround Blueprint

Adigun who hit the ground running on arrival, came with a work plan for KLT that rests on three pillars:

*Revenue Optimization: Sustaining growth beyond the ₦147.2 billion milestone achieved in 2025, with a projection to position KLT as a major revenue hub.

*Compliance and Facilitation: Ensuring trade compliance while streamlining legitimate transactions, and building trust with stakeholders.

Structural Renewal: Tackling bottlenecks by attracting direct vessel calls, expanding terminal capacity, and modernizing facilities through digitalization and global best practices.

Stakeholders Engagement

He has initiated structured dialogue forums with freight forwarders, shipping companies, and sister agencies to rebuild trust. These forums are designed to co-create compliance solutions, rather than imposing them top-down, which stakeholders see as a refreshing shift.

Trade Compliance and Stakeholder Confidence

By prioritizing trade compliance, Adigun is building trust with importers, agents, and port operators. His collaborative approach ensures adherence to regulations while streamlining clearance procedures. This has begun to restore confidence among stakeholders, who now see KLT as a command committed to fairness, efficiency, and partnership.

Leadership with a Human Touch

A gentleman officer with a purpose, Adigun’s leadership style is one that is approachable, yet firm, and has been central to the Command’s renewed energy. Officers describe him as a “gentleman officer” who listens but insists on discipline. His words at inauguration captured his philosophy: “We must remain disciplined, focused, and committed to the Service’s mandate. Together, we will build a stronger KLT.”

Global Alignment

His roadmap mirrors the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi’s modernization agenda, but with a localized twist, adapting global best practices to Nigeria’s peculiar maritime realities. For instance, his roadmap aligns seamlessly with CGC’s modernization agenda, which emphasizes efficiency, transparency, and revenue optimization. By consolidating gains while addressing structural challenges, Adigun is positioning KLT as a model of customs operations nationwide.

Conclusion

The expectations on Adigun are high, but his scorecard already shows he is delivering. His turnaround plan blends revenue optimization, enforcement, compliance, and modernization into a coherent vision. For officers and stakeholders, his tenure represents more than leadership; it is a chance to redefine KLT’s role in Nigeria’s maritime economy and prove that renewal is possible, even under the weight of high expectations.