By Faridat Salifu
The Senate Committee on Customs has praised the Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service for its exceptional revenue generation of over N1.82 trillion this year.
During an oversight visit earlier this week, the committee commended the Command’s proactive revenue drive and commitment to stakeholder engagement, noting its critical role in advancing Nigeria’s economic goals.
The committee, led by Chairman Senator Jubril Echocho, acknowledged Apapa Command’s revenue achievements, which have already surpassed the N1.17 trillion collected in 2023.
“This impressive collection underscores the importance of efficient revenue efforts to our national economy,” Echocho remarked. “Revenue generation is a priority under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, directly contributing to debt reduction and reinforcing Nigeria’s economic stability.”
Customs Area Controller (CAC) Comptroller Babatunde Olomu highlighted the Command’s strategies behind this milestone, including streamlined clearance processes and targeted efforts on lawful revenue collection.
“We’ve surpassed last year’s total with three months left, demonstrating our dedication to lawful collection while vigilantly preventing smuggling and undervaluation,” Olomu stated.
Olomu reported recent seizures of 36 prohibited items, including codeine-based syrups, tramadol, and unregistered pharmaceuticals, as part of anti-smuggling efforts.
He noted that improved trade facilitation and active stakeholder collaboration have bolstered compliance with customs regulations.
Challenges persist, however, as Olomu pointed to outdated technology and limited scanning resources, hampering effective inspections.
He urged legislative support for advanced scanners to enhance inspection accuracy and speed. “Modern scanners are essential for timely, accurate processing, which is vital for monitoring compliance,” he explained.
The Senate committee pledged to advocate for these technological upgrades and better welfare in the 2025 budget, recognising the Command’s contributions to national revenue.