By Lucy Nyambi

The Nigeria Customs Service, Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, hits N25,094,030,014.00 in revenue from the Free Zone.

The Command also generated N29,671,886,266 from Lekki Port, making it a cumulative total revenue of N54,765,916,280 for quarter of 2024.

The outgoing Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, made this known in a ceremony on Wednesday, 17 April 2024, while handing over leadership to Comptroller Olanrewaju Olumoh.

Speaking about his experience at the Command in the last seven months since he assumed office, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) Babandede noted that the most important thing he is taking out of the command is the synergy between agencies and engagement with stakeholders.

He said, “When I came in September, the free zone was only able to generate revenue of about N2 to N3 billion, but to God be the glory, we can now generate N15 to N25 billion in a month”.

“We engaged a lot of stakeholders, and we worked with other government agencies because we can not do it alone, and we established a bond like a family,” Babandede stated.

He advised stakeholders to maintain a high level of integrity in their cargoes and urged the new Customs Area Controller to carry everyone along.

On his part, the new Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Olanrewaju Olumoh, appreciated his predecessor for his purpose-driven leadership, pledging to build on his very good foundation while also soliciting support from stakeholders and officers.

In his words, “I am happy that I am not meeting this Command at the scratch level. I have optimism to build on the very good foundation Comptroller Babandede is leaving behind. I thank you, Comptroller, for your purpose-driven leadership.”

“To our critical stakeholders, I acknowledge the wonderful support you have been giving the command over the years; I want to assure you that the over-riding goal will be how to make this Command more robust, more alive and more economically rewarding to the country. I promise to operate an open-door policy just like my predecessor. ” Olumoh added.

Stakeholders, as well as representatives of sister agencies, showered encomium on the outgoing CAC while also urging the new CAC to continue on the integrity and legacy already in existence at the Free Zone for the nation’s good.

By Abass Quadri

Comptroller Mohammed Yusuf, in charge of the Nigeria Customs Service, Murtala Mohammed Airport Command, has handed over the mantle of leadership to the new Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Michael Awe.

In a ceremony held at the command on April 17, 2024, the outgoing Comptroller Yusuf expressed gratitude to God and his subordinates for ensuring peace within the Command, adding that “when I came in, the revenue target was N225m daily, shortly after, the target was increased to ₦400m but we were able to make 90.2% of the revenue target”.

“This year, we are saddled with generating N550m daily. With our strategy, we have gotten N14bn in January, February, and N16bn in March, which means our target of N12bn has been surpassed within the past few months. ” He emphasised.

He added how he managed stakeholders through an open-door policy, which greatly facilitated positive engagement and revenue generation.

Comptroller Yusuf also urged the officers to rededicate themselves to duty and fully support the new CAC, Awe.

He also advised CAC Awe to give a listening ear and, likewise, to operate an open door policy to succeed in his new position.

Appreciating his predecessor for his hard work, CAC Awe noted that even though he is not entirely new at the Command, he will consolidate on the existing structure, which requires the cooperation and support of all and sundry.

“This environment is a known place to me because I was the team manager of the Customs Intelligence Unit here some couple of years ago.” He said

“Seeing the revenue achieved, things are really going well, and that is due to everyone’s hard work, which I would request us to continue to contribute,” he added.

Author: Cynthia Ikebudu.

In a bid to tackle the rampant issue of illicit trafficking and smuggling across borders, the European Union (EU) unveiled a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing law enforcement and trade facilitation at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters in Abuja on 16 April 2024.

The project, titled “Getaway Corridor,” according to EU representatives Louis Jacques Blondiau and Thierry Thimon, is set to cover ten countries, including Nigeria, with the goal of curbing illicit activities on the borders and suppressing smuggling operations.

Louis Jacques Blondiau, the leader of the group, emphasised that the Getaway Corridor project entails the development of a road infrastructure network designed to serve as a gateway for combating anti-smuggling activities while promoting trade facilitation. According to him, “each participating country will designate a specific zone for the project’s execution, which will involve four key phases: identification, implementation, evaluation, and project ownership, ensuring alignment with local needs and priorities.”

During the meeting, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, commended the EU’s initiative, acknowledging its potential to significantly enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement efforts in Nigeria. He pledged the full support of the Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant agencies in ensuring the successful execution of the project.

“The proposed Getaway Corridor project marks a significant step towards strengthening international cooperation in combating illicit flows and promoting trade security within the region. With the commitment of both the EU and Nigerian authorities, it is poised to make a meaningful impact in curbing illegal activities and fostering sustainable development,” the CGC stated.