Revenue And National Security Question: Focus On Apapa, Tin-Can Ports

 BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

Perhaps, at no time than in the last one decade has revenue generation from importation become the economic pillar of Nigeria’s sustenance.

The gradual but seemingly irreversible fall in our economic fortunes flowing from official and moral attitudinal bankruptcy, fraudulent leadership wrong hire,  system mismanagement and corruption; and the inevitable collapse of the national productive sector; signaled a new era of economic dynamics for survival.

Attention shifted radically from the Nigeria’s hitherto vibrant international trade in cash crops exports, oil and gas, shipping and ports to the revenue generation from importations.

Nigeria’s crude oil economy slowly but unstoppably gave way to revenue generation from imports and ports trades; until we became an import dependent economy.

It is also instructive that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), once looked upon as the corner stone, began to assume the focal point of evenue net, spreading its ubiquitous tentacles over and across the national space, scouting and hunting for revenues to meet the funding needs of the federal government.

At the turn of the millennium, from late 2000 to 2010, the customs revenue dynamics and techniques have been remodeled and recalibrated to reflect our national dependence in all aspects of government spending and therefore, as the leading financial mainstay of Nigeria.

Today as it has been in the past ten years, the Nigeria Customs Service remains the bastion of economic activities for generation of revenue for the federal government.

In the light of the criticality of its mandate and statutory obligations, its management is always on its toes at ensuring that no gap is created and hence only the best are given the most important responsibilities.

It is therefore understandable that the country’s first two major customs ports, namely, Apapa Port and Tin-Can Island Port, both domiciled in Lagos being the biggest and busiest are expected to generate the most revenue.

It goes without saying therefore, that those at the helm of control at this two respective area commands are competent gentlemen officers, bold, savvy, industrious, focused, tested and trusted.

Today, we shall be taking a peep at the revenue performance of Apapa and Tin-Can Island Commands, respectively under the watch of Comptroller Babatunde Olomu Ph.D and Comptroller Frank Onyeka.

While it must be noted that the revenue system is intertwined with national security in principle and workings, as has been clearly and repeatedly emphasized by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR at different fora; today, we shall examine the implementation of this broad agenda within the two biggest customs ports in Nigeria.

This is especially so in view of the clear directives of the CGC and his insistence that the policy pillars of the NCS under his administration clearly espouses the national policy agenda of President Bola Tinubu; tailored to renewed hope, economic growth and  job creation, prosperity and  national security.

During his first 100 days in office, Adeniyi said: “Our chosen policy thrust was not arrived at by chance; it was deliberately aligned with the Policy Advisory Council Document of the President Tinubu Led Administration and the eight priority areas of the government. These priorities include food security, ending poverty, economic growth and job creation, access to capital, improving security, improving the ease of doing business, upholding the rule of law, and fighting corruption.

“Our dedication to enhancing revenue growth, border security, and the ease of doing business directly supports the government’s efforts in economic growth, job creation, and upholding the rule of law. This alignment underscores our commitment to being a proactive partner in achieving the collective goals of our nation.

Compt. Olomu Ph.D

“Our chosen policy thrust serves as the compass in our journey towards a more efficient, collaborative, and innovative Nigeria Customs Service.”

Apapa Port:

Upon his assumption of leadership control of the Apapa Command in May 2024, Olomu immediately outlined a 6-point agenda, namely,  Nigeria’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) , customs modernization, promotion of stakeholders’ partnership and engagement, efficient work culture, functional trade dispute resolution desk; revenue collection and anti-smuggling.

In no particular order, the cerebral customs chief listed Nigeria’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a major focus in line with the perspective of CGC.

Olomu remarked that Nigeria holds a strategic trading position in the West and Central Africa region and explained the criticality of Apapa Port in the realization of all the sub regional economic mandate, including AfCFTA.

“We are reviving Nigeria’s readiness for improved trade with fellow African countries and the world at large. As you may be aware, the management of the service is committed to evolving a more modern customs with Apapa Port being a nucleus to the implementation of the many trade facilitation reforms championed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR dsm psc (+)”, he said.

On revenue collection, he said, “I see my task as CAC Apapa Command as a serious assignment from the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi,, MFR dsm psc (+) of which our only option is to deliver diligently not only in revenue collection, fight against smuggling, but in trade facilitation and sustainable stakeholder engagement”, adding:

“My assumption of this office is with a mind of confidence that we won’t betray the trust reposed in us by the FGN, the CGC and the entire management of the Nigeria Customs Service.”

Focused and confident, and consolidating on the achievements he met on ground, the command recorded a total revenue of N2.1trillion between January and December 2024’  even as it recorded the collection of N18.2billion in October 2024, being the highest monthly revenue figure collected in the history of the service.

In fact, by November 2024, the command had already achieved its annual revenue target; a full month in advance. Another salient feature Olomu has demonstrated is in the area of breaking its own revenue generation records. For instance, the command broke its October 2024 daily revenue record with yet another daily revenue collection of N18.9bn on Friday, March 14, 2025.

Determined to follow through with the CGC’s agenda on improved enforcement, revenue collection and trade facilitation, Olomu with his management team not only worked extra to raise the bar of dragnet on compliance,  he imposed a ambitious  monthly N200 billion revenue target on the command; over and above the official target.

To achieve the above, the command has set in motion N8.9 billion daily, N44 billion weekly and N193 billion monthly revenue targets for its revenue officers; while eyeing a monthly N200billion hit; expressing optimism about the possibility of realizing the set target.

Regarded as a Headquarters special squad front liner,  Olomu came with a lot of determination and has remained passionate, unyielding and unbending in the way and manner he delivers on his mandate, consistent with the provisions of the Customs Act 2023.

A stickler to the administration’s work-to-rule application tools, Olomu at a recent media briefing spoke on the command’s revenue profile, enforcement and collaboration.

“For the first seven months of 2024, that is January to July this year, the Apapa Area Command generated a total of N1.23tn. What has been generated so far for seven months is above the total collected revenue by the command in 2023, which was N1.17tn.”

As the CAC Edo/Delta Customs Area Command, Olomu raised the command’s stature in all areas of revenue and excise control, stamping the customs service presence in hitherto ‘no-go area’ and business frontiers, even as he left an indelible footprint behind upon his recall to the headquarters.

Addressing his officers and men recently, Olomu revealed that the command’s outstanding performance is a result of the motivation and rewards system introduced by the present administration; and charged them to sustain the tempo and due diligence.

“The excellent revenue generation we recorded is as a result of blockage of all revenue generating leakages and proper documentation of payments by officers who were adequately motivated. We must continue in the team spirit based on leadership tasks and continue to strive for excellence. We must surpass this achievement, we cannot afford to relax”, he said.

Olomu has also demonstrated determination and finesse in the second prong of the service’s tripartite core function, which is that of enforcement, through records of spectacular seizures.

While the command in August through the CGC showcased twelve containers of offensive imports made up mostly of expired pharmaceuticals with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.8billion, the command earlier announced the arrest of 7x 40footer containers laden with both non-trade and unapproved goods; with a combined DPV of Two Hundred and Ninety-Two Million, Two Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Seven Naira (N292, 244,857.00).

On trade facilitation, Olomu says while the command under his watch is duty bound to combat smuggling and evasion of duty in whatever material guises,  the command will continue to encourage, support and promote compliant traders to achieve a national economy conscious of citizens wants, safety and security.

He assured that compliant traders who engage in honest cargo clearance processes have no reason not to enjoy 24 hours release of their cargo, noting that the command has the capacity to scan 200 containers on a daily basis.

Olomu who was speaking recently when he received a World Bank delegation and Trade Facilitation Committee led by the Minister of Industries, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite in his office, said the Nigeria Customs Service is committed to supporting economic growth through trade facilitation.

This is even as he noted that while facilitating trade, the command will continue to ensure that no import seek to circumvent the due process or for that matter, impede the national security.

He note that irrespective of whether or not those averse to due professional thoroughness endorse improved monitoring and enforcement, compliance shall remain an integral aspect of customs trade without apologies.

But his steadfastness and that of his officers and men to the rules of engagement have also attracted some amount of enmity, especially from non compliant traders whose questionable antics have been effectively checked.

“As a result, some of them resort to blackmail and all sorts of antics to compromise and dampen the morale of our revenue officers without success. We have blocked lots of loopholes and leakages, and that is what is enabling us to facilitate trade for compliant traders, especially those bringing in raw materials in agricultural and manufacturing. We do ensure that there are no unnecessary delays, while we tighten up loose ends by insisting on proper examination, even though some people don’t like thorough examination.

“We have seen cases some importers and their agents undermine the due process by deliberately making wrong classification of goods. We have been able to raise a lot of queries on suspicious consignments but without wasting time and that is why importers and their agents are now making their declarations properly and honestly. So, a compliant trader has no reason to be apprehensive”, he said.

A meticulous resource manager, and highly result oriented, Olomu while appreciating the existing robust collaboration with sister government agencies, also acknowledged the importance of the standard operations procedure (SOP) tool amongst sister agencies.

Accordingly, he says seized items are regularly handed over to appropriate agencies of government, with the hope that further investigation and regulatory actions are also taken.

According to him, in line with the directives of the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who encouraged the promotion of robust stakeholder engagement, the command intervened in the disputes involving sister government agencies, terminal operators, and stakeholders in the port.

Compt. Onyeka

“It is heartwarming to note that our intervention succeeded in promoting uninterrupted trade and strengthening port users’ confidence,” he said.

Tin-Can Island Port:

Comptroller Frank Onyeka was appointed Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Tin-Can Island Command, Lagos, in December 2024. Being the second largest and busiest port, next to Apapa Command, it also ranked as the command with the second biggest revenue target, after the former.

It is believed that Tin-Can Port boasts of the good, the bad and the ugly and as such, no faint hearted officer gets posted as area controller. He must be seen to be above board, amiable and a keen observer, a good listener, resourceful, industrious, diligent, hardboiled and unfazed in times of decision making.

These were the attributes Onyeka was expected to carry over from his predecessor, ACG Dera Nnadi mni, who held the command in a firm grip, for about two years, until he was elevated and appointed Assistant Comptroller General of Customs; and reassigned to the headquarters.

Apparently familiar with the drill, Onyeka also came fully prepared, and no sooner he settled down on his seat, uploaded from his repository, the first most essential element; stakeholders engagement.

Coming from the Apapa Port Exit Gate, Onyeka was confident that that the very first step to take was stakeholders’ engagement and collaboration; which alone is the prelude to the ultimate goal of revenue generation, trade facilitation and enforcement.

He knew that if this support foundation is weak, chances of achieving a solid and successful implementation of the NCS mandate at the port cannot be guaranteed. A gentleman officer with an eye for details, Onyeka was confident that his step-by-step strategy was the best approach.

Fully aware of the size of the shoe of an enigma of a gentlemen officer he was stepping into; Onyeka was not in any unnecessary rush and thus, he started by engaging with critical stakeholders; one after the other; as he carved out convenient time for the various engagements, while keeping a full gaze on the administration of the port operations.

For every port trade stakeholders he engaged, Onyeka had one and only one homily: trade compliance built on correct cargo documentations and declaration, and correct duty; all of which elements he says, ultimately impacts trade facilitation, either onwards or backwards.

According to him, the above elements either aid or retard quick turnaround time, and also affects stakeholders civic responsibility to national values and economic growth, aid or discourage criminal trading tendencies, reduce or prolong  operation, impede or promote professionalism amongst officers and men.

He has engaged various freight forwarding groups among which is the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF).

He has also built bridges of friendship and collaboration to various government sister agencies including Maritime Police Command, Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base Badagry, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Services, Department of State Security (DSS), Nigerian Navy Beechcroft Ship, etc.

The thrust of his message during the various meetings with sister government agencies was the same; that to achieve a safe and prosperous nation, all security agencies in the country must partner and synergize in order to prioritize national security.

In all of the meetings, his visitors were flabbergasted by his humility and agape disposition to promote national growth. He promised to continue to engage stakeholders as at when necessary, noting “this is a crucial part of ensuring the success of these initiatives. Through constant collaboration and feedback, we aim to address concerns, foster a better understanding of the processes, and ultimately ensure smooth implementation of these policies.”

While the command under his watch generated a total of N116, 412,735,766.23 in January 2025 which represents 24.06% over and above the figure of N88, 430,126,122.76 recorded within the corresponding period of 2024, he expressed optimism that given the level of consolidation on the strategies he inherited and at the new impetus, the command’s performance cannot but be better and better; including its revenue projections for the year 2025.

Penultimate week, Onyeka handed seized consignment of imported illicit drug worth over N8 billion to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

He explained that the successful interception of the offensive items was the outcome of collaboration and intelligence sharing between the customs and men of the anti-narcotic agency.

Comptroller Onyeka disclosed that the two units of 20FT containers which were intercepted in different batches, were falsely declared as used cars and used auto spare parts, imported from Canada.

Giving the breakdown of the two 20 ft seized containers he explained that the container with registration number TCNU 194586/1 was intercepted on February 27, 2025 and found to contain 128 packets of Cannabis Indica, weighing 63.75 kilograms with an estimated street value of N414.37 million.

“The second container with No. MSMU 838666/3 was intercepted on the 12 of December , 2024 and was found to contain 97 packets of Crystals Methamphetamine, weighing a total of 78.3 kilograms with an estimated street value of  N2 billion and 1,735 packets of Cannabis Indica with a total weight of 867.5 kilograms and an estimated street value of N5.63 billion, which brought the total street value of the seized drugs to N8.05 billion,” Onyeka said.

A top flyer administrator with a firm, knowledgeable and competent grip on men and resources, and given his versatility in customs administration in addition to his impressive anti-smuggling credential, Onyeka’s recent posting perhaps signposts yet again, an instructive and result driven posting by the Adeniyi led customs management.

Like his predecessor, Onyeka has so far proved that the NCS does not only prioritizes stakeholders utmost friendly trading atmosphere but one that also require stakeholders to step up their participation through increased compliance.