The Acting Customs Area Controller of the Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Deputy Comptroller Wale Moses Adewole, has reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with key stakeholders to enhance revenue generation and promote legitimate trade.
Adewole made this known during a courtesy visit to British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) on Thursday, March 5, 2026, where he led members of the Command’s management team to engage with the company’s leadership.
The delegation was received by the Director of Operations, Mr. Hasnain Ishtiaq, who welcomed the Customs team and expressed appreciation for the visit.
Speaking during the engagement, Adewole commended BATN for its significant contributions to national revenue through excise duties and for maintaining compliance with existing regulations governing excise operations.
He described the company as a critical stakeholder in the Nigeria Customs Service’s drive to facilitate legitimate trade and boost government revenue.
The Acting Controller emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration between Customs and the private sector, noting that partnerships with compliant corporate entities remain essential for effective revenue collection and economic growth.
In his remarks, Ishtiaq praised the Nigeria Customs Service for its dedication to revenue generation, trade facilitation, and border protection, describing these responsibilities as vital to Nigeria’s economic development.
He assured the Customs leadership of BATN’s continued cooperation and commitment to adhering to all regulatory requirements.
In a related development, Adewole also paid a courtesy visit to the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, where he sought the support of the traditional institution in the ongoing fight against smuggling.
During the visit, the Acting Controller acknowledged the revered monarch as a custodian of Yoruba cultural heritage and a key influencer within the community. He appealed to the Alaafin to leverage his position to sensitize residents on the dangers of smuggling and its adverse impact on the nation’s economy.
Responding, the Alaafin commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its efforts in safeguarding the country’s economy through effective revenue generation and anti-smuggling operations.
The monarch pledged the palace’s support in mobilizing the people of Oyo and its environs to shun smuggling and embrace lawful economic activities that contribute to national development.
Adewole reiterated that the Oyo/Osun Area Command will continue to deepen engagement with corporate stakeholders, traditional institutions, and the public to strengthen revenue generation and advance the economic prosperity of the nation.
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