Apapa Customs Records a Significant 7.13% Revenue Increases As Mu’azu Drives Reforms, Stakeholder Collaboration in First Month
Apapa Customs Records a Significant 7.13% Revenue Increases As Mu’azu Drives Reforms, Stakeholder Collaboration in First Month
By Jerry Aguigbo
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, recorded a strong revenue haul of ₦302,952,570,769.24 in October 2026. This marks a 7.13 percent increase (or ₦20,161,430,521.84) compared to the ₦282,791,140,247.40 generated in September 2026.
The October figure marks the second time the Command has crossed the ₦300 billion threshold under its current leadership, following a record-breaking collection of over ₦323 billion in July 2026. The milestone highlights a steady push to boost government revenue while accelerating legitimate trade, spearheaded by the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Murtala Mu’azu, who assumed office on September 29, 2026.
In his bid to Prioritize Stakeholder Engagement the Controller emphasized that his command will be Sticking strictly to the Comptroller-General of Customs’ policy thrust of Consolidation, Collaboration, and Innovation. Comptroller Mu’azu has made direct industry engagement a cornerstone of his first month.
On October 5, 2026, the Command hosted a major multi-stakeholder forum convening importers, exporters, licensed customs agents, shipping lines, and terminal operators. The meeting tackled persistent port bottlenecks, including Demurrage and Demand Notice delays. Beyond the town hall, Mu’azu has paid courtesy visits to key maritime partners to bridge communication gaps and foster a more predictable trading environment.
Also streamlining Operations and Cutting Red Tape, as part of a push for operational efficiency, the Command is overhauling its processing of Transire documents. The initiative aims to wipe out redundant bureaucratic steps and improve inter-departmental 
coordination without weakening compliance.
“Under my leadership, the Command has intensified efforts to review and streamline the processing of Transire. This initiative is also driven by my commitment to trade facilitation and the need to address operational inefficiencies that could subject traders to unnecessary delays and hardship,” Comptroller Mu’azu stated.
“Traders should not suffer the consequences of avoidable administrative lapses or delays.”
To keep cargo moving smoothly, Mu’azu has ordered that physical cargo examinations strictly follow standard operating procedures under the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023. He explicitly warned officers against redundant, repetitive, or punitive inspections that stall legitimate commerce, urging personnel to balance strict revenue protection with swift service delivery.
On Anti-Smuggling and Enforcement Wins, the enforcement front, the Command clamped down on illicit trafficking. Officers intercepted 437 sachets of Cannabis Sativa (weighing a combined 392.5 kg) hidden inside two separate containers:
• Container No. MSKU0486747: 162 sachets (125 kg)
• Container No. TEMU6149358: 275 sachets (267.5 kg)
The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized narcotics is ₦196,131,606.82. The seizures were executed via joint examinations alongside partner security and regulatory agencies, reinforcing zero tolerance for drug smuggling through the Apapa maritime gateway.
The Apapa Area Command pledges to maintain its twin mandate: driving record-setting revenue growth while creating a seamless, secure, and business-friendly port ecosystem.
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