The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Apapa Area Command has generated ₦302.95 billion in revenue in October 2026, representing a 7.13 per cent increase over the previous month.
This is coming as the new Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Murtala Mu’azu, intensifies efforts to improve cargo clearance and trade facilitation.
The October collection of ₦302,952,570,769.24 was ₦20.16 billion higher than the ₦282,791,140,247.40 recorded in September, marking another monthly performance above the ₦300 billion threshold.
The Command said the revenue performance reflected its continued focus on revenue generation and legitimate trade facilitation since Mu’azu assumed duty on September 29, 2026.
Since taking over, the CAC has prioritised stakeholder engagement, operational efficiency and service delivery in line with the policy direction of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on Consolidation, Collaboration and Innovation.
At a stakeholder meeting on October 5, Mu’azu engaged importers, exporters, licensed Customs agents, shipping companies and terminal operators on challenges including delays in Demand Notice processing and cargo clearance bottlenecks.
He has also undertaken courtesy visits to key stakeholders and strategic partners within the port community to strengthen collaboration and improve the business environment for port users.
The Command is reviewing and streamlining Transire processing to reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, improve coordination among departments and shorten processing time without compromising compliance and control.
Mu’azu said traders should not suffer avoidable delays arising from administrative lapses, adding that the Command would address operational challenges and adopt practical solutions to improve service delivery.
He has also directed officers to conduct cargo examinations strictly in line with established procedures and required documentation, warning against unnecessary, repetitive checks that could frustrate legitimate business transactions.
The directives, according to the Command, are aimed at improving cargo turnaround time and ensuring compliance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 while protecting revenue and national security.
Despite the focus on trade facilitation, the Command said it had sustained enforcement against illicit trade, intercepting 392.5 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa in two containers during the period under review.
The seizures comprised 162 sachets weighing 125 kilogrammes in container MSKU0486747 and 275 sachets weighing 267.5 kilogrammes in container TEMU6149358.
The narcotics had a combined Duty Paid Value of ₦196,131,606.82 and were jointly examined with relevant sister agencies.
The Command said the interceptions underscored its commitment to preventing Nigeria’s maritime gateway from being used for illicit activities and protecting public health and national security.
It reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining revenue growth, strengthening enforcement and improving cooperation with port stakeholders, while facilitating legitimate trade and supporting economic growth.