Q1 2026: Stakeholders hail Customs’ discipline, revenue drive across Zone ‘A’ commands

By Maureen Aguta

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Zone ‘A’ Commands have earned commendation from stakeholders across the maritime, aviation and border trade sectors following what industry players described as a strong and disciplined operational performance in the first quarter of 2026.

Across the South-West commands — including the Apapa Area Command, Tin Can Island Port (TCIP), PTML, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, Murtala Muhammed Airport Command, Seme and Idiroko border commands — freight forwarders, customs agents and logistics operators acknowledged improvements in trade facilitation, enforcement, discipline and revenue generation.

The assessment, conducted through interviews with operators in the maritime value chain, focused on key operational indicators such as punctuality, response to complaints, professionalism, physical appearance of officers, cargo clearance efficiency, enforcement activities and revenue performance.

Many stakeholders scored Customs highly in resumption and closing time, noting that officers across several commands maintained rigorous work schedules and showed greater commitment to service delivery.

A freight forwarder operating between the Seme Border and Apapa Area 1 Command, Mr. Uju Clifford, said the current management of the Service had instilled a new level of discipline among officers.

According to him, many officers resume duty before 8am and remain at work late into the evening to resolve operational issues.

“I once had a container detained at the Federal Operations Unit over documentation issues. When I got there in the evening to resolve it, I was surprised to see officers still attending to stakeholders close to 8pm,” he said.

Clifford added that the conduct of officers had improved significantly under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

“They now relate with stakeholders more professionally and politely. Their appearance is neat and decent, and there is obvious discipline within the system,” he stated.

Operationally, the Service maintained strong momentum across its major commands during the review period, with seamless cargo processing, improved enforcement and robust revenue performance.

At the Apapa Area Command, revenue collections reportedly exceeded projections, driven largely by recoveries from under-declarations and other infractions. Tin Can Island Command also intensified anti-smuggling operations, recording seizures of restricted and counterfeit goods aimed at protecting national security and economic interests.

Similarly, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command sustained what stakeholders described as a balanced approach between enforcement and trade facilitation, intercepting illicit consignments while ensuring smooth cargo movement.

The Idiroko Border Command, under the leadership of Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, also received positive ratings for its enforcement drive, discipline and officers’ welfare initiatives.

A maritime operator, Mrs. Adeola Ogunleye, described the Service’s consistency in revenue generation and enforcement as a stabilising factor for the economy.

“The Customs Service has shown remarkable consistency in revenue collection and enforcement. Their operational efficiency in the first quarter has contributed significantly to trade stability and government revenue,” she said.

Also speaking, the National Publicity Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Mr. Emmanuel Onyeme, praised officers and men of the Service for demonstrating patriotism and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

According to Onyeme, the professionalism displayed by Customs officers across Zone ‘A’ reflects the leadership style of the current Comptroller-General.

“The officers have been very patriotic and professional in attending to stakeholders and clearing agents. Their promptness to duty and courteous approach have improved Customs-stakeholder relations significantly,” he said.

He further commended Area Controllers across the commands for setting positive examples for their officers, noting that improved professionalism would ultimately translate into higher government revenue and enhanced trade facilitation.

A Tin Can Island-based freight forwarder, Mr. Chinedu Okafor, also acknowledged improvements in cargo clearance procedures despite lingering operational challenges.

“The seizures recorded this year show that Customs remains vigilant. At the same time, cargo clearance processes have become faster and more coordinated. There is still room for improvement, but the Service deserves commendation for raising operational standards,” he said.

In the aviation sector, logistics expert Dr. Ibrahim Musa noted that the airport command had sustained seamless operations while maintaining high compliance levels.

“At the airport command, enforcement has remained effective without disrupting legitimate trade. Revenue targets are being achieved, and compliance has improved considerably,” he stated.

Beyond stakeholder commendations, the Service’s operational scorecard for the period reflected impressive growth in exports, enforcement and revenue recovery.

Available figures show that export earnings for Q1 2026 rose to $925.84 million, representing a 38.68 per cent increase compared to the corresponding period in 2025. Container throughput also climbed sharply to 19,014 containers, nearly doubling the 9,722 containers recorded in Q1 2025.

Export surcharge collections stood at ₦199.36 million during the period, representing a 21.81 per cent year-on-year increase, while collections under the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) rose to ₦6.03 billion from ₦5.01 billion in the previous year.

Industry analysts said the figures reinforced projections that the Service could exceed its 2026 revenue target estimated at about ₦9 trillion, following the ₦7.28 trillion collected in 2025.

On enforcement, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ intensified anti-smuggling operations, recording 473 interceptions within eight weeks.

Major seizures included 8,794 bags of foreign rice, 22 used vehicles, 1,863 refrigerator compressors, 328 bales of used clothing and 531 cartons of frozen poultry products.

Drug interceptions during the period also yielded 3,340 parcels of cannabis weighing about 1,540 kilogrammes, alongside 6.4 kilogrammes of cocaine and methamphetamine with an estimated street value of ₦2.35 billion.

The unit also recovered ₦5.5 billion in Duty Paid Value (DPV), while Demand Notices issued within the period led to additional recoveries of ₦97.7 million.

Stakeholders say the Q1 2026 performance has further reinforced the Service’s reputation as one of the country’s most critical institutions in revenue mobilisation, border security and trade facilitation.

With sustained reforms, improved discipline and enhanced operational efficiency across commands, industry observers believe the Nigeria Customs Service is positioning itself as a more responsive and technology-driven institution capable of supporting Nigeria’s economic growth objectives.