The figures were unveiled during the Command’s end-of-year stakeholders’ forum and awards night at the Apapa Club by Customs Area Comptroller (CAC), Emmanuel Oshoba.
Automation and Compliance Drive Revenue Growth
Welcoming attendees, Oshoba said the Command’s performance aligns with the vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, emphasizing modernisation and ease of doing business.
“From January to November 2025, the Apapa Area Command generated N2.635 trillion, representing a 19.9 per cent increase over the N2.2 trillion recorded in the same period in 2024,” Oshoba noted.
Key initiatives contributing to this growth include the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, the One-Stop Shop framework to reduce duplication and delays, and the deployment of the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS) to strengthen automation, risk management, and revenue assurance.
The CAC also highlighted the simulation of the newly installed scanner at APM Terminals on November 6, 2025, describing it as a milestone in expanding non-intrusive inspections—a move expected to accelerate cargo clearance and lower logistics costs.
Enforcement and Security Measures
On enforcement, Oshoba disclosed significant seizures of drugs, expired goods, and arms and ammunition, achieved through intelligence-led operations and inter-agency cooperation. He stressed that while the Command prioritizes compliance, it will act decisively against false declarations and other violations.
Representing the CGC, Assistant Comptroller-General Mohammed Babandede praised stakeholders for supporting the Command’s efforts, urging deeper compliance in 2026. “With your cooperation, we achieved our target in 2025. Trade facilitation is possible only when the integrity of declarations is high,” he said, announcing an upcoming sensitisation programme on the AEO scheme at Continental Hotel.
Security agencies also reaffirmed their commitment to safe port operations. Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Maritime Police Command, Chinedu Oko, highlighted strong collaboration between Customs and the Nigeria Police in maintaining security across the port.
Stakeholder Praise and Community Recognition
The event drew commendations from traditional leaders and industry representatives. The Ojora of Ijora and Iganmu Kingdom praised Customs for maintaining order and preventing crises, while the founder of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, lauded the Command’s initiatives and called for broader implementation of reforms to ensure a level playing field.
“The One-Stop Shop should be universal, not only when there is an alert, so that everyone can compete effectively,” Aniebonam said.
Awards and Recognition
The ceremony featured multiple awards recognizing collaboration and excellence within the port ecosystem. Terminal Operators Awards went to firms such as APM Terminals and Eco Support Services, while Controllers’ Commendation Awards were presented to individuals including Dr. Boniface Aniebonam and Alhaji Tanko Ibrahim.
Agency Cooperation Awards recognized entities like the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), NDLEA, Nigeria Police (Apapa Command), and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). The CAC Special Recognition Award honored groups such as ANLCA, Atlantic Coast Shipping Nigeria Ltd, and ACE Unique.
A highlight was the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Kikelomo Adeniyi, National President of the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), for her extensive social impact initiatives. Her work includes vocational empowerment of over 1,500 women, establishment of a skills acquisition centre, welfare support for widows of fallen officers, environmental sustainability projects, and national immunization campaigns. Oshoba described her as “a human mobiliser” whose efforts have positioned COWA as a model for community-driven development.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As Apapa Customs closed the year, stakeholders emphasized that stronger compliance, deeper collaboration, and sustained reforms are key to maintaining the port’s competitiveness, security, and revenue efficiency in 2026 and beyond.
The event also included a moment of silence in memory of Assistant Comptroller Nafiu Abubakar, who passed away after a protracted illness, reflecting the Command’s sense of community and shared purpose.
This comprehensive year-end review positions the Apapa Area Command not only as a revenue powerhouse but also as a hub for trade facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and community impact in Nigeria’s maritime sector.