Apapa Customs Faces Backlash Over Newly Introduced Access Control, Agents Set for Showdown
Compt Emmanuel Oshoba
By DAPO OLAWUNI
Negative reactions have began to trail the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Compt Emmanuel Oshoba, over his recent announcement that the command was restricting stakeholders access to the command’s premises as part of security awareness.
In a widely circulated notice to all licensed customs agents on Sunday, the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) through one of its officers, Odigen Adams warned agents who have no business at Apapa Customs to steer clear of the premises starting from Monday 15th June 2026.
The notice sighted by DAILY TREND said “This is to notify you about the outcome of the meeting between all stakeholders and Apapa Customs Area Controller – Mr. Oshoba on the 11th June, 2026.
“CAC maintains that, commencing from Monday – 15th June, 2026 no unauthorized agent will be allowed to enter into Customs Areas’ premises.
“Consequently, all Licensed Customs agencies should proceed to bond seat with their “Form C 30″ to register their staff (maximum of 4 persons) with passport photographs to obtain access cards at the rate of N5,000:00 each”
The clearing agents have however taken to their various association platforms to condemned the Apapa Customs boss, saying that, Customs as a paramilitary outfit cannot restrict access to its premises, even as they condemned the monetary attachment to introduction of the acess cards.
On one of the platforms closely monitored by DAILY TREND, the clearing agents alleged that the Apapa Customs Command is creating an avenue for extortion of port users in the name of access control.
“What is now the essence of the most compulsory identity card in the port, which is NPA port pass?
This means that Customs wants to render it (NPA port pass) useless despite paying before you can get the NPA license.
Secondly, is the headquarters of NCS aware of this Identity card and the fee attached to it?
“Now, let’s bombard the Nigeria customs headquarters contact and information mails, even all the social media handles. Let them know it’s actually inappropriate for customs to do that.
That is a public office for goodness sake” one of the agents wrote.
Another agent vituperated that “This is unacceptable, it should be grossly condemned. Why do we pay for port pass, shipping and terminal companies passes, and now customs pass?”
The agents called on the leadership of their various associations to stand up against the customs CAC, whom according to them is billed to retire from service very soon.
According to them, the Apapa Customs is enjoying a surge in its revenue due to the high handedness of officers at Tin Can Customs Command, a situation that caused clearing agents to move all their clients and importers to Apapa port. The agents threatened to reverse the trend if the CAC fails to rescind his access control decision.
Speaking with the media last week, Compt Oshoba said the new measure is aimed at reducing the number of visitors to the command and enhancing access control in response to growing security concerns nationwide.
He said that the accredited representatives of all registered clearing and forwarding agencies will be issued official duty identification cards, which will grant them access to the command.
“Whenever there is a change in personnel, the concerned agency will notify the command so that the necessary adjustments and replacements can be updated in our system.
“Visitors, including journalists, will be required to register at the gate and will be issued visitor identification cards.
“This is a standard practice globally. I am aware that terminal operators such as Grimaldi at PTML and APM Terminals at Apapa Port already operate similar crowd-control mechanisms,” he noted.
