The Oramalugo Factor In Customs Success Story

…A Peep Into The New Era In Border Governance Under Adeniyi

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

There is no gainsaying that the quality and quantum of the various operational reforms introduced by the Comptroller General of Custom, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi since assumption of office in 2023 enphasizes his unflinching focus and brilliance.

This has in no small measure shaped and highlighted the prevailing new era in border governance, which faced the prospects of possible discontinuation come, August 31, 2023, as its chief driver, Adeniyi would have clocked the mandatory official 60 years for retirement.

However, in a strategic move to consolidate the sweeping reforms within the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Federal Government granted him a one-year tenure extension; partly following popular appeal by well informed, concerned Nigerians and stakeholders.

The extension, effective from mid-2025, is widely seen as a vote of confidence in the CGC’s transformative agenda—one that has redefined customs operations, revenue generation, and anti-smuggling enforcement across Nigeria.

Thanks to a dedicated poll of loyal and committed management top chiefs who waded into the red sea of promise with the CGC and achieved a triumphant cross over.

At the heart of this success story lies a name that has become synonymous with operational excellence: Comptroller Ben Nkem Oramalugo, PhD. His stewardship across three critical commands, namely, Kebbi, Oyo/Osun and Seme has not only complemented the CGC’s vision but also elevated the Service’s reputation as a bastion of integrity and efficiency.

Mrs. Oramalugo beside hubby, Comptroller Oramalugo, greeting CGC Adeniyi at Seme recently, during the commissioning of the Command’s new projects.

In this report, a tour of Oramalugo’s involvement and contributions to the Adeniyi Mandate will be undertaken not just as a reminder that competence, loyalty and merit is essential to the success of team work; aimed as an article of encouragement for officers and men.

 Kebbi Command

Pinnacle Time report that when Oramalugo assumed duty in Kebbi in early 2023, the Command was grappling with porous borders and entrenched smuggling networks. Within months, he transformed the landscape.

*Revenue Generation: Focused, resolute and unyielding, he surpassed the Command’s monthly target by 164%, generating a staggering ₦144.8 million in March 2023 alone.

ACG Obih receiving a plaque from Comptroller Oramalugo during the former’s recent tour of Seme Command.

*Anti-Smuggling: Fearless and unapologetic, Oramalugo led daring operations that impounded 304 kegs of PMS and sealed rogue filling stations. Early in his tenure at the Kebbi Command, he faced a smuggling syndicate dealing in endangered animal products.

Despite threats and resistance, he led a number of other offensives one of which resulted in the interception of truckloads of donkey skin—an illegal trade with international implications. For concerned persons in the command who didn’t understand his work rules, it wasn’t just enforcement; it was a statement that environmental crimes would not be tolerated under his watch.

From the records, during his stint at the Kebbi Command, his tenure was marked by bold enforcement, strategic diplomacy, and a relentless pursuit of compliance. He built bridges of understanding and fostered trust among the stakeholders and locals, turning Kebbi into a vibrant trade artery.

Oyo/Osun Command

When he took over the Oyo/Osun Command in September 2023, the revenue figures were respectable but stagnant. Within months, he implemented a data-driven strategy that included tighter excise monitoring and control. By the end of 2024, the Command had generated over ₦82 billion in revenue—a record-breaking feat that earned him multiple awards, including the CGC’s Award for Service Excellence.

*Record Revenue: Records showed that he generated ₦82.2 billion in 2024, a 15.3% increase from the previous year, deploying tech-driven efficiency that leveraged the defunct NICIS II (now B’Odogwu) to streamline operations and reduce delays.

*Strategic Enforcement: Stretching across two states, Oramalugo bestrode the entire landscape like a colossus and seized contraband goods worth billions of naira, including high-profile interceptions of restricted goods.

His leadership at the Oyo/Osun Command was defined by precision, innovation, and a deep understanding of fiscal policy.

Seme Command:

In February 2025, Oramalugo was posted to Nigeria’s busiest land border—Seme. His arrival marked a new chapter in border security. Consistent with his trade mark, he intercepted various offensive items at different times. Some of the high profile seizures include five trucks of foreign parboiled rice amounting to 2,800 bags and another set of 1,319 bags.

The seizure also include  898 parcels of cannabis, and other contraband items worth ₦1.27 billion, made between May and July 2025; though a number of well coordinated sting operations.

*Revenue Growth: In two months, he generated ₦1.59 billion, thanks to improved and reinforced blockage of leakages and strict enforcement regime.

These seizures reflect the Command’s aggressive stance against smuggling and its commitment to protecting Nigeria’s economy and agricultural sector. Want a visual infographic or a press brief summarizing these stats? I can whip one up.

*Scholarship Meets Enforcement: Beyond field operations, Oramalugo is also a publisher and author and holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism. He’s known to engage with media houses not just for publicity, but to educate the public on Customs’ role in national development. His intellectual approach to leadership earned him the CGC’s Special Award for Strategic Community Engagement.

At Seme Oramalugo launched the second edition of his book ‘Customs Administration in Nigeria’, reinforcing the role of scholarship in service excellence. His general dispositions reflect a leader who’s not just enforcing rules but reshaping the culture of Customs from the inside out.

*The Historian in Uniform: Comptroller Ben Oramalugo isn’t just a seasoned enforcement officer—he’s a walking archive of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) history. At official events, his speeches often transcend routine protocol, weaving together vivid historical narratives that leave audiences both informed and inspired.

A Scholar of Customs Origins, Oramalugo’s fascination with the roots of the NCS sometimes transcends the academic—making it look like a personal hobby. In his acclaimed book ‘Customs Administration in Nigeria’, he traces the Service’s trajectory from its founding in 1891, predating even the Nigerian Army and Navy. He often reminds officers and stakeholders that Customs was one of the earliest institutions of governance in colonial Nigeria, emphasizing its foundational role in national development.

*Archival Adventures and Historical Depth: To write his book, Oramalugo embarked on a research odyssey that took him through colonial archives, dusty libraries, and even volatile regions in parts of northern Nigeria. He braved militant enclaves and Boko Haram territory to gather rare documents, demonstrating a level of dedication that few would dare match. His work unearths forgotten reforms, exposes economic injustices like duty waivers which he says cost Nigeria over ₦1.14 trillion between 2010 and 2013; and highlights the evolution of Customs from a revenue collector to a national security stakeholder.

Storytelling at Customs Events Whether launching a new initiative or addressing officers at a command handover, Oramalugo is known for peppering his remarks with historical anecdotes. He might recount how early Customs officers operated without uniforms, or how trade routes shifted during the colonial era. These tales aren’t just entertaining—they serve as moral compasses, reminding officers of the Service’s legacy and their duty to uphold it.

*Intellectual Leadership and Reform Advocacy: At the launch of the revised edition of his book in July 2025, Oramalugo emphasized that “a knowledgeable officer is a more effective officer”. He urged Customs personnel to embrace continuous learning, positioning intellectual development as a pillar of institutional excellence. His scholarship has become a rallying point for reform-minded officers, and his writings are now used in training modules across commands.

*A Shift In Dream: Before joining the NCS, Oramalugo was a regular contributor to the Daily Star newspaper in Anambra State during the 1980s. His journalism background sharpened his storytelling skills, allowing him to blend facts with flair. Today, he’s not just a Customs officer—he’s a custodian of its memory.

His alignment with CGC Adeniyi’s reformist vision has made him a cornerstone of the Customs success story. With the CGC’s tenure extended, stakeholders anticipate deeper consolidation of reforms—and Oramalugo’s continued rise as a transformative figure in Nigeria’s border governance.