BY FRONTLINE REPORTERS

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has recorded a landmark ₦323 billion in revenue for July 2026, the highest monthly collection ever achieved by the Command.

The feat surpasses the previous record of ₦304 billion recorded in October 2025, also under the leadership of the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba. Oshoba disclosed the latest revenue performance during the Command’s monthly meeting with Deputy Comptrollers of Terminals and Unit Heads on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, attributing the record to sustained policy support, operational reforms, improved compliance and enhanced trade facilitation.

The CAC commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, and the NCS management team for their commitment to modernising the Service. He said innovations introduced under the reform programme had streamlined customs operations, provided clearer direction and strengthened revenue generation. He specifically cited improvements in the B’Odogwu system, which he said had overcome earlier operational challenges and was now delivering stronger results.

Oshoba also highlighted the One-Stop Shop (OSS) initiative for improving cargo delivery times and creating a more predictable business environment, while noting that the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) framework, with more than 200 beneficiaries, had positively influenced the Command’s revenue profile. He added that intelligence-driven enforcement had intensified the detection of false declarations and strengthened compliance with approved valuation principles, thereby protecting government revenue.

The CAC further attributed the improved trading environment to the relative stability of the foreign exchange market under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, saying greater forex predictability had enabled businesses to plan and make more informed trade decisions. He challenged officers to look beyond routine revenue collection and identify their individual contributions through effective interventions, compliance monitoring and professional service delivery.

Oshoba urged personnel to sustain the momentum through transparency, discipline, continuous training, effective supervision and strict adherence to approved procedures. He directed officers to resolve disputes promptly, apply proper documentation and utilise the Post Clearance Audit (PCA) process where necessary, while stressing the importance of professionalism and positive stakeholder relations.

“When you interact with stakeholders, let them leave your office with hope rather than despair,” the CAC said, urging officers to build trust through respect, empathy and collaboration. He also called on Staff Officers to support their superiors in maintaining discipline and fostering a healthy workplace anchored on teamwork and concern for the welfare of personnel.

While commending officers, stakeholders and sister agencies for their contributions to the record performance, Oshoba described the ₦323 billion July collection as a stepping stone to even greater achievements. He charged the Command to remain focused on productivity, trade facilitation, security consciousness and efficient service delivery as the year 2026 progresses.

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