Apapa Customs and ICPC Strengthen Collaboration on Compliance, Anti-Corruption and Trade Facilitation
Author: Lucy Nyambi.
The Customs Area Controller, Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, has reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to partnership with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to promote transparency, compliance and national development.
Comptroller Oshoba stated this on Tuesday, 11 November 2025, during a courtesy visit to the ICPC Lagos Office, where discussions focused on strengthening collaboration between the two agencies in intelligence sharing, compliance enforcement, and public enlightenment.
During the visit, Comptroller Oshoba outlined the core mandates of the Nigeria Customs Service, including revenue generation, trade facilitation, public safety, and national security, aligning them with the Comptroller-General’s policy thrust of Consolidation, Collaboration, and Innovation.
He emphasised the importance of synergy and intelligence in achieving national goals, noting that practical inter-agency cooperation is crucial for achieving sustainable economic and security outcomes.
“Nigeria is a national project. We are all collaborators to ensure we keep the flag flying. The best way to do that is through collaboration and synergy,” Oshoba said. “I come from a background of intelligence, and we know intelligence is all about getting your sources. Without sources or informants, you can’t achieve much.”
He also emphasised the importance of compliance in trade facilitation, urging stakeholders to adhere to Customs regulations and submit accurate declarations to ensure seamless operations and fair practices.
“The trade we do, the business we facilitate, compliance is key. We find that the most disturbing thing for us is non-compliance. There’s no way our systems can function effectively without it. And it starts with the declarations our people make,” he added.
In his remarks, the ICPC Lagos Commissioner, Alexandra Chukwurah, welcomed the Customs delegation and highlighted the long-standing partnership between both organisations. He noted that the collaboration between ICPC and NCS has remained mutually beneficial, grounded in shared values of accountability and integrity.
“The Nigeria Customs over the years has maintained a robust relationship with the ICPC. At some point, we had customs officers in my department and ICPC officers within the Service. We are here to support you and expect maximum cooperation. If you’re ever in doubt about any anti-corruption issue, call us,” Chukwurah said.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment by both agencies to strengthen their partnership through joint sensitisation programmes, seminars, and operational cooperation to promote transparency, enhance revenue generation, and combat corruption across Nigeria’s trade corridors.
