The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a record-breaking revenue collection of N2.4 trillion for the period of January to October 2025. This figure surpasses its total revenue for the entire 2024 fiscal year, achieved with two months still remaining in 2025.

The Command’s performance was capped by an unprecedented monthly collection of N304 billion in October alone, the highest ever recorded by any Customs Command in Nigeria’s history.

Driving Factors Behind the Historic Haul

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, attributed this milestone to the dedication of his officers, the cooperation of compliant stakeholders, and ongoing modernization reforms. He described the achievement as “the beginning of greater revenue generation exploits.”

Key to this success has been a vigilant approach to revenue assurance. The Command is actively using Demand Notices (DN) to recover unpaid duties and closely monitoring Harmonised System (HS) Codes to prevent misclassification and duty evasion.

Revolutionizing Port Efficiency with New Technology

Comptroller Oshoba also revealed that the Command is preparing to launch a revolutionary “Drive-Through Scanning regime.” This system, a first in West Africa, is capable of processing up to 150 containers per hour directly from the quayside, promising to drastically reduce cargo clearance times.

Officers have undergone specialized training to ensure readiness for this new system, aligning with the Comptroller-General of Customs’s directive to modernize operations.

Collaboration as a Cornerstone for Growth

Emphasizing a collaborative approach, Oshoba has been conducting unannounced visits to port access roads to engage directly with truckers and agents. He also met with the Apapa Port Manager to strengthen inter-agency synergy, noting that efficient cargo evacuation is vital to preventing congestion and sustaining revenue growth.

In a meeting with the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON), Oshoba underscored the critical role of media collaboration in promoting transparency and public trust. “Feedback is important because no matter how good we think we are, we are all works in progress,” he stated.

Industry analysts credit the Command’s sustained performance to its efforts to streamline clearance, expand automation, and strengthen compliance, reinforcing its role as a critical pillar of Nigeria’s trade facilitation and fiscal sustainability.