Mission Accomplished: Olomu Returns to Abuja in Triumph

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

In the intricate machinery of Nigeria’s Customs Service, few names evoke the kind of quiet reverence and admiration as the newly appointed Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, ACG Babatunde Olomu, fsi. Known within the corridors of power as a “headquarters operative,” Olomu has built a reputation not just on competence, but on a consistent ability to consolidate and expand, transform chaos into order, and stagnation into progress.

Wired for tactical deployments in the last fifteen years, Olomu never misses, and records show his progressive strategic triumphs in all the routine and critical assignments that has come his way; it is no wonder that as the ovation gets loudest, he ascended the leadership ladder.

Olomu’s career has been defined by a pattern: deployment to high stake assignment, troubled or underperforming commands, followed by a swift and decisive turnaround, and or expected results. Whether it’s routine duties or high-stakes diplomatic engagements, he has proven himself to be the kind of officer who doesn’t just follow orders, he elevates them.

When Olomu got posted to the Edo/Delta Area Command, the place was grappling with operational neglect and enforcement fatigue. Within months, he reasserted the authority of the Service, revitalizing enforcement in previously overlooked zones.

His tenure there was marked by decisive turnaround where he recovered government presence and participation in crude production sheet. It didn’t end there, Olomu rejigged the command’s stakeholder engagement, while throttled down the lever in revenue improvement and compliance.

He was subsequently recalled to headquarters by the CGC Adeniyi he was entrusted with more sensitive and critical assignments—both domestic and international.

His portfolio includes diplomatic customs liaison roles, strategic planning and policy execution, crisis response coordination among others.  And at the right time, was deployed to the Apapa Area Command in May 2024, which evidently served as his defining chapter in his career assignments.

A product of intellectual power house, Olomu’s appointment to the Apapa Area Command was more than a routine posting; it was a vote of confidence. Apapa Customs Command, Nigeria’s busiest and most politically sensitive seaport command, demands not just technical expertise but diplomatic finesse and economic vision: in which he delivered on all fronts.

During his electrifying 17-month tenure, Apapa Customs witnessed rcord-breaking revenue generation as the command under his watch exceeded its monthly targets consistently, contributing significantly to national coffers.

It bears repeating that his achievements in the area of revenue recovery and anti-smuggling feats stand out in very bold dimensions. His team uncovered under-declared consignments and recovered billions in lost revenue.

He did no less in the area of compliance which ramped up in unprecedented strategic seizures. From illicit arms to contraband pharmaceuticals, Olomu’s enforcement strategy was both intelligence-driven and surgical.

He also fostered a culture of collaboration with port operators, clearing agents, and international partners, reducing bottlenecks and improving compliance. Indeed, Olomu’s  Apapa port assignment was the crowning glory of his career.

Last week, Olomu’s rise to the rank of Assistant Comptroller General was formalized by the Customs Board, a move widely seen as overdue recognition for a man whose service record reads like a blueprint for institutional excellence. His promotion is not just symbolic; it positions him to influence policy at the highest level, bringing his field-tested insights into the heart of Customs strategy.

What sets Olomu apart is not just his results, but his method. He leads with quiet authority, grounded in data, discipline, and diplomacy. His ability to navigate the political, economic, and operational dimensions of Customs work makes him a rare asset in a system often strained by complexity.

As he returns to Abuja, insiders speculate that his next assignment may involve even broader responsibilities, perhaps in shaping the future of Customs modernization, trade facilitation, or regional integration.

ACG Babatunde Olomu is proof that in public service, excellence is not accidental; it’s engineered. And in his case, it’s engineered with precision, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to national interest.