The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recorded an impressive ₦2.93 trillion in revenue in 2025, marking a significant 24.32 per cent increase over the ₦2.36 trillion generated in 2024.
The figures were announced in Lagos by the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, through the command’s Public Relations Officer, Isah Sulaiman.
Comptroller Oshoba attributed the robust performance to focused leadership, disciplined personnel, strategic deployment of technology, and improved compliance by importers and other port users.
Beyond revenue collection, the command recorded major enforcement successes, seizing illicit cargo with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦12.63 billion.
The intercepted items included cocaine, tramadol, Canadian Loud, expired pharmaceutical products, and other prohibited goods. A total of 53 containers carrying illicit drugs and contraband were intercepted during the year.
Oshoba said several of the seized consignments had been handed over to relevant regulatory and enforcement agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), for further investigation and prosecution.
He noted that the deployment of advanced platforms such as the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), also known as the B’Odogwu system, alongside initiatives like the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) and One-Stop Shop (OSS) programmes, significantly enhanced transparency, efficiency, and speed of cargo clearance at the port.
“These innovations have reduced bottlenecks, improved compliance, and ensured a more predictable and transparent clearance process,” Oshoba said.
Looking ahead, the Apapa Customs boss expressed optimism about even stronger performance in 2026, citing plans to deepen automation, strengthen intelligence-led enforcement, and expand inter-agency collaboration.
He disclosed that the command plans to introduce the FS6000 cargo scanning system, a non-intrusive inspection technology capable of scanning up to 200 containers per hour, which he said would further boost enforcement capacity while facilitating faster cargo clearance.
Oshoba commended importers, clearing agents, terminal operators, and other port stakeholders for adhering to lawful trade practices, noting that their cooperation played a critical role in the command’s revenue growth.
He reaffirmed Apapa Customs’ commitment to sustained engagement with terminal operators, shipping companies, licensed customs agents, freight forwarders, haulage operators, and the media to promote transparency, compliance, and seamless trade operations at the port.
The strong performance at Apapa, he added, reflects a broader trend of improved revenue generation across Nigeria’s ports, signalling positive prospects for government finances and trade facilitation.
“We remain committed to improving our processes, strengthening collaboration, and delivering even better outcomes in the coming year,” Oshoba said.
