Nigeria Customs Service Apapa Command Collects N18.9 Billion in Revenue in a Single Day

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Apapa Area Command achieved a remarkable milestone on Friday, March 14, 2025, collecting a record N18.9 billion in revenue in a single day. This figure represents the highest daily revenue collection in the history of the command and highlights ongoing efforts to improve efficiency and revenue generation.

The announcement was made by the Customs Area Controller for Apapa, Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba, who described the achievement as a reflection of the command’s commitment to enforcing customs regulations while enhancing trade facilitation. He attributed the record revenue to stricter enforcement of import and export regulations, improved compliance from port users, and the implementation of technology-driven processes that have streamlined operations.

Apapa Port, located in Lagos, is Nigeria’s busiest seaport and serves as a major gateway for goods coming into and out of the country. The port handles a significant percentage of Nigeria’s import and export activities, making it a vital hub for revenue collection. The NCS Apapa Area Command plays a critical role in monitoring trade activities, preventing smuggling, and ensuring proper duty payments.

Comptroller Jaiyeoba praised the dedication of the officers and men of the command, emphasizing their hard work in ensuring that trade processes are transparent and that proper duties and tariffs are collected. He also acknowledged the cooperation of importers, exporters, and clearing agents in complying with customs regulations, which contributed to the record-breaking revenue collection.

The NCS has been implementing various reforms to enhance efficiency and transparency in customs operations. These include automating processes, deploying scanners to reduce physical examinations, and enhancing intelligence gathering to curb smuggling. The record revenue also aligns with the federal government’s efforts to boost non-oil revenue as part of broader economic diversification initiatives.

While celebrating the achievement, Comptroller Jaiyeoba reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining the momentum, further improving revenue collection, and ensuring that Apapa Port operates in line with global standards. The milestone serves as a testament to ongoing reforms within the NCS and underscores the potential for even greater revenue generation with continued improvements in infrastructure, compliance, and oversight.

The N18.9 billion collected on March 14 stands as a new benchmark and a sign of the growing efficiency of Nigeria’s customs operations, particularly at the country’s busiest port. As the NCS continues its reforms, stakeholders expect even more positive outcomes for trade facilitation and national revenue generation.