By Edwin Nwabugu
The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, hosted a colourful end-of-year party to celebrate its robust revenue performance and operational achievements in the outgoing year.
The ceremony, which held at the Apapa Country Club, Lagos, drew officers and men of the command, maritime stakeholders, representatives of sister agencies, traditional rulers and industry players across the port environment.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, was represented at the event by the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs and Zonal Coordinator, Zone A, ACG Mohammed Babandele.
In his opening remarks, Babandele commended maritime stakeholders, heads of sister agencies and traditional institutions for their sustained cooperation and support in safeguarding the nation’s borders and facilitating legitimate trade.
He noted that the success recorded by the Apapa Command underscored the importance of collaboration and collective responsibility in achieving national economic and security objectives.
In his address, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, said the command recorded remarkable milestones in 2025, driven by ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, predictability and ease of doing business at Nigeria’s busiest port.
Oshoba disclosed that the command generated a total revenue of ₦2.636 trillion between January and November 2025, representing a 19.9 per cent increase over the ₦2.2 trillion recorded within the same period in 2024.
He attributed the improved performance to enhanced compliance, increased automation, effective monitoring and strategic initiatives implemented in line with the reform agenda of the Comptroller-General of Customs.
According to him, key initiatives deployed by the command include the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, the One-Stop Shop (OSS) platform and the Unified Customs Management System, also known as B’ODOGWU.
He explained that the deployment of B’ODOGWU has significantly strengthened automation, risk management, revenue assurance and data integration across operations at the port.
The area controller further noted that the command recorded notable seizures within the period under review, including illicit drugs, arms and ammunition, as well as expired and prohibited goods.
He said the seizures were a testament to the vigilance, professionalism and commitment of officers in enforcing customs laws while facilitating legitimate trade.
Oshoba expressed appreciation to officers of the command and maritime stakeholders for their dedication, resilience and cooperation throughout the year.
He described the end-of-year celebration as an opportunity to reflect on achievements, strengthen bonds and re-energise personnel for greater performance in the coming year.
The high point of the event was the presentation of awards and commendations to outstanding officers and maritime stakeholders in recognition of their professionalism, patriotism and exemplary service.
The event featured music, cultural displays and social interactions, adding a festive atmosphere to the celebration of the command’s achievements in 2025.
