ACG OLOMU BOWS OUT IN FLYING COLOURS, AS COMPT OSHOBA MOUNTS THE DAIS @ PREMIER COMMAND
By Timothy Paul Okorocha
New Customs Area Controller of the Premier command Apapa, Compt EO Oshoba has vowed to sustain the tempo of revenue generation, anti smuggling as well as trade facilitation which his predecessor made as major trade marks.
This is even as the former Area Controller, ACG Babatunde Olomu, fsi, PhD declared a revenue of N1.834 trillion in the last eight months.
Oshoba stated ‘I will build a revenue excellence, deepen enforcement and enthrone intelligence driven operation during my tenure’ According to him, his immediate past position being the Controller, Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), he pledged to bring his experiences there to bear in his new assignment.
He deposed that he will collaborate with all stakeholders and his colleagues to move the command forward as according to him, he can not do it alone. He requested for the dedication of all stakeholders to instill necessary measures for the development of the maritime industry.
The new helmsman noted that the service is in a crucial stage now as efforts are geared to push the B’Odogwu to greater heights.
‘Let’s show a good example as a country holding the Chairmanship of the World Customs Organization. I believe in the power of collaboration’ he stressed.
ACG Olomu in his valedictory speech noted,
“Today I, ACG Olomu in his valedictory speech noted, address you with mixed feelings reminiscing on the beautiful moments we shared together during my time here as Area Controller of Apapa Port, but am constantly reminded that the service period was meant to bring challenges, proffer solutions to keep Nigeria better and at some point, come to an end. I am glad to inform yoU that I am now elevated to the rank of Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, ACG and my tenure as the CAC has come to an end.
Sincerely, I thank the CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR dsm psc (+) for trusting me with the task of piloting customs affairs in our flagship command and| want to gladly inform you all that this phase of service for me as CAC Apapa has ended. Providence requests that I move further to serve elsewhere.
When I assumed duty on 6 May 2024, it was with sleeves rolled up, two hands on deck, enjoying the maximum support of my officers and men in addition to full cooperation of our esteemed stakeholders comprising of government agencies and private sector operators including the media.
SUMMARY OF OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
While this speech and time would not permit me to reel out every of our achievement, I am going to summarize them. Together as a team, we all confronted odds to excel and we
accomplished in the areas of revenue collection, anti-smuggling, trade facilitation and robust stakeholders’ engagement.
This team spirit was imbibed in taking a cue from the GC’s policy direction of working closely with all our stakeholders at various levels.
We have laid a solid structure for consolidation. Under the guidance of the CGC, I ensured this command can operate optimally on an autopilot mode in revenue and anti-smuggling, stakeholders’ engagement, ICT deployment and all other indices for measurement Revenue It was on my watch that this command achieved its first N2 trillion revenue collection which is an unprecedented feat by the command in the history of the service. In recognition of this, the command and my humble self-earned numerous awards including the CGC Special Award for Excellence in Revenue Collection, Trade Facilitation, and Overall Best Area Controller.
It is noteworthy to state that we didn’t just arrive there. We stayed focused laying the bricks for improvement in our collection hourly, daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly to arrive at the outstanding accomplishments.
We achieved a record-breaking single-day revenue collection of over N17.9 billion on June 19,2024. Again, the command set another benchmark with 18.2 billion in daily revenue in October 2024. of customs efficiency.
Furthermore, another daily revenue collection record of 18.9 billion was made on March 14 2025. Consequently, for the month of AUgust, 2025, the Command collected N214.9 billion using the newly introduced B’Odogwu, the Unified CUstoms Management System, despite initial technical challenges.
As at today, we have collected a total of One trillion, eight hundred and thirty-four billion, seven hundred and eighty-nine million, four
hundred and ninety-nine thousand, eight hundred and fifty naira, forty kobo (N1,834,789,499,850.40) for the year 2025. I anm optimistic that mny Successor will build on these achievements to surpass our 2025
revenue target of N3 trillion since we have attained 60% of our annual collection.
Trade Facilitation and Modernization
On my watch, this command has been effectively positioned as a central hub for implementing trade facilitation reforms championed by the Comptroller-General of Customs.
These reforms which aim to modernize the Nigeria Customs Service and enhance Nigeria’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) recorded remarkable milestones.
While I was here as CAC, Nigeria made its historic first African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) shipment from Apapa Port in
July 2024, launching our country’s participation in the scheme’s Guided Trade Initiative (GTI).
Nigerian manufactured goods were sent to five other African countries. Another milestone shipment under AfCFTA from Nigeria which we facilitated was sent to Kenya in November 2024, showcasing our country’s active role and commitment to boosting intra-African trade through the agreement.
Furthermore, while here. together we entrenched a tradition of faster Cargo clearance, seamless trade dispute resolution and promotion of Compliance for all importers, exporters, freight forwarders, licensed Customs agents, terminal operators, bonded terminal ownerS and everyone interfacing with the NCS through this command.
Enforcement/Anti- Smuggling
Despite ensuring maximum collection of all revenue due to the federal government from customs duties, we never slept on our anti-
smuggling responsibility. Our fight against smuggling was never a rhetoric.
We proved to the smugglers and their collaborators that Apapa Port is a no-go area for illegalities. Therefore, the command is poised to always deal with the activities of unscrupulous elements that may want to test our resolve to address the menace of bringing in unregistered and controlled medicaments.
In the 15 months I served here, we made 75 seizures of various items broken down to 62 units of 40ft containers and 13 units of 20ft
containers. The seizures comprise of fake, expired and substandard medicaments, controlled drugs as codeine syrup, tramadol, Indian hemp, and other items like Used clothing, wood etc.
Stakeholders Engagement
| ran an open-door policy, ensured easy interaction with all our stakeholders. We have always interacted to address any impediment associated with trade in Apapa port. In addition to that, my telephone line was also readily available for information sharing and feedback with all stakeholders.
Appreciation | want to specially thank God Almighty for bringing me thus far, the
CGC Bashir Adewalwe Adeniyi MFR, dsm psc (+), all my officers/men, esteemed stakeholders, distinguished members of the fourth estate of the realm for their unwavering support towards ur collective success during this period of 15 months I was here as CAC.
Finally, oUr sister agencies like the DSS, Police, Immigration, NDLEA, Port Health, NAFDAC, SON, QUarantine, NPA and others have been very supportive, You all are highly appreciated.
As Oliver Twist who always ask for more, I amn asking that you do more than that for my successor who is also a distinguished gentleman officer with capability to take this command to greater heights”.