Apapa Customs Hits N302.9bn in October, Up 7.13% as Compt Mu’azu Pushes Trade Facilitation

The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, generated ₦302,952,570,769.24 in October 2026, a ₦20,161,430,521.84 increase over the ₦282,791,140,247.40 recorded in September, representing month-on-month growth of about 7.13 per cent.

The figure is the Command’s latest collection above the ₦300 billion mark, following its record-breaking haul of over ₦323 billion in July 2026. It came in the first full month of Comptroller Murtala Mu’azu, who assumed duty as Customs Area Controller (CAC) on 29 September 2026.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the Customs Public Relations Officer of the Command, Chief Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman, the Command said Mu’azu has prioritised stakeholder engagement, operational efficiency and improved service delivery, in line with the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi’s policy thrust of Consolidation, Collaboration and Innovation.

A key part of the approach was a stakeholder engagement meeting held on 5 October 2026, which brought together importers, exporters, licensed Customs agents, shipping companies and terminal operators.

The meeting addressed operational challenges, including Demand Notice delays and cargo clearance bottlenecks.

The CAC has also paid courtesy visits to key stakeholders and strategic partners within the port community, which the Command described as a deliberate effort to build bridges and foster collaboration.

To improve efficiency, the Command has intensified efforts to review and streamline the processing of Transire, a move aimed at removing unnecessary bureaucratic bottlenecks, improving inter-departmental coordination and cutting processing time without weakening compliance and control.

Speaking on the initiative, the CAC stated: “Under my leadership, the Command has intensified efforts to review and streamline the processing of Transire, with a view to eliminating unnecessary bureaucratic bottlenecks, improving inter-departmental coordination and reducing processing time. This initiative seeks to ensure that the various offices involved discharge their responsibilities more efficiently, while maintaining the necessary compliance and control measures.

He added that “This initiative is also driven by my commitment to trade facilitation and the need to address operational inefficiencies that could subject traders to unnecessary delays and hardship.

“Traders should not suffer the consequences of avoidable administrative lapses or delays. We must identify challenges, address their root causes and adopt practical solutions that will promote seamless business operations, enhance service delivery and create a more efficient trading environment.”

Mu’azu has also directed that cargo examinations be conducted strictly in accordance with extant procedures and the requisite documentation and authorisation. He cautioned officers against unwarranted, repetitive or unnecessary checks capable of frustrating legitimate business transactions, and charged them to act promptly and professionally without compromising compliance, revenue protection or national security.

The directives, according to the Command, are aimed at easing cargo clearance, improving turnaround time and promoting a more predictable trading environment, in strict adherence to the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023. The Command is also strengthening coordination among relevant departments and port stakeholders to address bottlenecks affecting cargo movement.

On enforcement, officers intercepted 437 sachets of Cannabis Sativa weighing 392.5 kilogrammes in two separate containers during the period. The seizures comprised 162 sachets weighing 125 kilogrammes in container MSKU0486747, and 275 sachets weighing 267.5 kilogrammes in container TEMU6149358. The combined Duty Paid Value is ₦196,131,606.82.

The consignments were jointly examined with relevant sister agencies, which the Command said underscores its resolve to prevent the use of Nigeria’s maritime gateway for illicit trade and to protect public health and national security.

The Command said it remains committed to consolidating its revenue performance, strengthening enforcement and building stronger partnerships with stakeholders.

Under Mu’azu, it will continue to pursue a balanced approach that protects government revenue and national security while creating an enabling environment for legitimate trade and economic growth.