THE APAPA Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service last Friday (March 14, 2025) recorded a groundbreaking daily revenue collection of ₦18.9 billion, marking the highest figure ever achieved in the history of the command.
Superintendent of Customs (SC) and Public Relations Officer of the command, Tunde Ayagbalo, made this known in a press statement, revealing that the new record breaks the existing highest daily collection of ₦18.2 billion which was achieved in October 2024.
Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, who described the feat as the beginning of greater exploits to be achieved in 2025, said officers dedication to duty, sustenance of compliance as a norm and promotion of industrial harmony in Apapa Port as well as the CGC’s unwavering support contributed to the achievement.
The Controller, acting under the directives of the CGC had spearheaded high level discussions to partner with the Nigerian Ports Authority in resolving all crises with port users and truckers over issues around the Eto’o call up system which had caused traffic gridlock along the Apapa Port corridor.
Further to the CGC’s directives, Comptroller Olomu also stepped in to prevent the planned withdrawal of service by maritime workers and freight forwarders due to unresolved issues between them on one hand and APM Terminals on the other hand.
The efforts of the CAC prevented a shutdown of port activities and promoted productivity with seamless import and export activities.
Speaking on the impressive revenue collection and harmonious working environment, Comptroller Olomu said: “Ports are critical national assets with direct impacts on the economy touching on local and global trade. It is, therefore, imperative to keep the ports working, especially Apapa Port, which accounts for the highest volume of cargoes coming into Nigeria.
“In line with the directives of the CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR who has promotion of robust stakeholders’ engagement as one of his cardinal thrust, we intervened in the disputes involving sister government agencies, terminal operators and stakeholders in the port.
“It is heartwarming to note that our intervention succeeded in promoting uninterrupted trade and strengthening port users’ confidence
“Our record-breaking achievement of ₦18.9b daily collection on Friday, March 14, 2025 is the beginning of greater exploits to be attained this year. We are also not lowering our guard in the fight against smuggling as our officers are ever ready to detect concealments, under declaration, false declaration, and other antics geared towards duty evasion,” the press statement quoted Olomu as saying.
