The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), under the leadership of the newly promoted ACG Babatunde Olomu, PhD, recorded an impressive ₦3.7 trillion in revenue within a 16-month period, reinforcing its role as the nation’s top revenue-generating command while maintaining a strong enforcement drive against smuggling.
Decorated recently with his new rank of Assistant Comptroller General by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, alongside the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, ACG Olomu transformed Apapa Port into a hub of efficiency and accountability.
Revenue Contribution to National Targets
Between May 2024, when he assumed office, and July 2025, the command generated ₦3.709 trillion. Monthly collections ranged from ₦175 billion to over ₦269 billion, consistently driving up Customs’ share of government revenue.
This contribution proved pivotal as President Bola Tinubu announced on September 2, 2025, that Nigeria had already met its 2025 revenue target ahead of schedule, significantly reducing reliance on external borrowing.
According to the Service’s half-year performance report, Customs surpassed its H1 target by nearly 12%, collecting ₦3.68 trillion between January and June 2025—representing 55.93% of its annual projection.
Strong Anti-Smuggling Record
Beyond revenue mobilisation, the Apapa Command intensified enforcement. In 15 months, it intercepted 75 high-profile seizures, including assorted rifles, ammunition, expired drugs, fake pharmaceuticals, banned substances, stolen vehicles, and restricted security equipment.
Among the notable interceptions were 60 military-grade drones without end-user certificates, 53 helicopter drones, containers of codeine syrup, and communication gadgets with national security implications. These seizures, valued in billions of naira, underscored the command’s vigilance in preventing dangerous goods from infiltrating Nigerian markets.
Commendations from Customs Leadership
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, praised ACG Olomu and his team for their outstanding performance. He stressed that Apapa, as the Service’s busiest port, carries higher expectations in both revenue generation and enforcement.
“I want to specially commend Comptroller Babatunde Olomu and the officers working with him for their anti-smuggling exploits,” Adeniyi stated. “Apapa Command handles the highest volume of trade for NCS, and their consistency in performance reflects our commitment to legitimate trade and national security.”
He further warned against the smuggling of controlled pharmaceuticals and security gadgets, noting that if such items reached insurgents or criminal networks, they could worsen insecurity across the country.
Collaboration and National Security
The CGC highlighted the role of inter-agency cooperation, crediting partnerships with NDLEA, NAFDAC, DSS, and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in achieving successful seizures. He urged patriotic citizens to support Customs with intelligence, stressing that safeguarding Nigeria’s borders is a collective responsibility.
ACG Babatunde Olomu is presently in charge of the Nigeria Customs Service Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Unit.
