Comptroller Murtala Mu’azu has assumed duty as the 33rd Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, pledging to consolidate the Command’s achievements in revenue generation, trade facilitation, enforcement and institutional discipline.
Mu’azu made the commitment on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, during the assumption-of-office and farewell ceremony held at the Command’s Auditorium, Apapa, Lagos. The event attracted heads of security and regulatory agencies, government representatives, terminal operators, shipping and business stakeholders, customs brokers and other partners.
In his inaugural address, Mu’azu described his appointment as a “great honour and privilege,” thanking the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for the confidence reposed in him. He said his administration would align with the CGC’s strategic pillars of consolidation, collaboration and innovation, with emphasis on revenue integrity, efficient trade facilitation, professionalism and stakeholder engagement.
The new Controller said every revenue due to government must be properly assessed and collected, while assuring stakeholders of stronger collaboration with importers, exporters, licensed customs agents, shipping companies, terminal operators, port authorities and other government agencies.
Mu’azu also declared that avoidable delays in cargo processing would no longer be tolerated, stressing that legitimate cargo should move promptly once all regulatory requirements had been fulfilled. He urged officers to maintain discipline, professionalism, courtesy and decorum in their dealings with the trading public.
The new CAC acknowledged the achievements of his predecessor, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba (Rtd), particularly the Command’s revenue performance. Under Oshoba, Apapa Customs recorded a historic monthly collection of ₦323 billion in July 2026 and a single-day collection of ₦28.102 billion on August 18, 2026.
Describing the figures as a record to reckon with, Mu’azu said it would be a major task for his team to match and surpass the achievements. He also commended Oshoba’s contributions to enforcement, trade facilitation and the implementation of modernisation initiatives, including B’Odogwu, Advance Ruling, the Authorised Economic Operator Programme, One-Stop Shop and Non-Intrusive Inspection technology.
In his farewell address, Oshoba thanked officers and stakeholders for their support throughout his tenure, stressing that the achievements recorded under his leadership were the collective efforts of the Command. He urged officers to sustain discipline, professionalism and excellence while extending the same cooperation to his successor.
Responding, Mu’azu called for collective efforts from officers and stakeholders to sustain the Command’s progress. He pledged an open and constructive relationship with stakeholders, anchored on fairness, mutual respect and the national interest, while expressing confidence that Apapa Area Command would continue to strengthen revenue administration, legitimate trade facilitation and professional conduct.
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