The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has achieved a historic milestone, generating ₦304 billion in revenue in October 2025—the highest monthly collection ever recorded by any customs command in the country.
The announcement was made by the Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, in a statement released by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs Tunde Ayagbalo.
This figure surpasses the ₦264 billion collected in October 2024, setting a new national benchmark. With this performance, the Apapa Command has now amassed ₦2.4 trillion in revenue between January and October 2025, already exceeding its total revenue for the entire year of 2024.
Comptroller Oshoba attributed the record-breaking performance to intensified revenue mobilisation efforts and the command’s readiness to handle increased trade volumes. He highlighted the upcoming deployment of a Drive Through Scanning system capable of processing up to 150 containers per hour, which he described as a major leap in trade facilitation for Nigeria and the broader West African region.
To support this transformation, officers have undergone specialised training to enhance operational efficiency, in line with directives from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi. The command is also implementing a One-Stop-Shop (OSS) model aimed at streamlining customs procedures, reducing clearance times, and eliminating revenue leakages.
The OSS initiative, launched in September 2025 and piloted at key ports including Apapa, Onne, and Tin Can, is designed to cut cargo clearance times from 21 days to just 48 hours. By harmonising customs processes and eliminating redundant checks, the OSS ensures faster, more predictable cargo movement and reduces opportunities for corruption.
Additionally, the NCS has introduced a digital overtime e-clearance system to expedite the release of long-standing cargo, ease port congestion, and further reduce manual interference.
These reforms reflect the NCS’s broader digital transformation agenda, aimed at boosting trade efficiency and maximising revenue collection. With Apapa Customs leading the charge, Nigeria’s customs operations are positioning themselves as a model for modern port management in the region.
