By ebosele@hotmail.com –
Comptroller Murtala Mu’azu has formally assumed duty as the 33rd Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), pledging to consolidate the Command’s achievements in revenue generation, trade facilitation, enforcement and institutional discipline.
City Business News reports that Mu’azu assumed office on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, during an assumption-of-office and farewell ceremony held at the Auditorium of the Apapa Area Command.
The event was attended by heads of security and regulatory agencies, representatives of government agencies, terminal operators, shipping and business stakeholders, customs brokers and other partners of the Command.
In his inaugural address, Mu’azu described his appointment as “a great honour and privilege” and expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for the confidence reposed in him.
“I accept this responsibility with a deep sense of duty and a firm commitment to the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service and the economic interest of our dear nation,” he said.
He said his administration would be guided by the three strategic pillars of the Comptroller-General of Customs — consolidation, collaboration and innovation — with emphasis on revenue integrity, efficient trade facilitation, professionalism and stakeholder engagement.
On revenue generation, Mu’azu said every revenue due to government must be properly assessed and collected, adding that decisions taken by customs officers must be transparent and capable of standing the test of time.
“Every revenue due to government must be properly assessed and collected, and every decision taken by our officers must be capable of standing the test of scrutiny over time,” he stated.
The new CAC also pledged to deepen collaboration with importers, exporters, licensed customs agents, shipping companies, terminal operators, port authorities and other government agencies to make Apapa Port more efficient and responsive to legitimate trade.
On cargo clearance, Mu’azu declared that his administration would not tolerate avoidable delays in the processing of legitimate cargo.
“Unnecessary human delays in cargo processing otherwise known as Non-Tariff Barriers shall not be tolerated henceforth,” he said.
He added that where all requirements had been met, legitimate cargo must be allowed to move without avoidable obstruction, while officers were expected to maintain discipline, professionalism, decorum and courtesy in their dealings with the trading public.
Mu’azu acknowledged the achievements recorded by his predecessor, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba (Rtd), particularly in revenue generation.
Under Oshoba, the Command recorded a monthly revenue collection of ₦323 billion in July 2026 and a single-day collection of ₦28.102 billion on August 18, 2026.
“This is indeed a record to reckon with and strive towards matching same. It is therefore a Herculean task upon myself and my team to match and surpass such a record,” Mu’azu said.
He also commended Oshoba for his contributions to enforcement, trade facilitation and the implementation of the Service’s modernisation initiatives, including B’Odogwu, Advance Ruling, the Authorised Economic Operator Programme, One-Stop Shop and Non-Intrusive Inspection technology.
Oshoba, in his farewell address, described Advance Ruling as an initiative that provides legitimate traders with greater predictability and clarity on Customs treatment before importation, thereby reducing uncertainty and strengthening confidence in the trading environment.
Expressing appreciation to officers, men and stakeholders of the Apapa Area Command for their support during his tenure, Oshoba said the achievements recorded under his leadership were the result of collective efforts.
“The achievements recorded during my tenure do not belong to one individual. They belong to all of us,” he said.
He urged officers to sustain the standards of the Command, stressing that “Discipline must remain our foundation, professionalism our standard and excellence our aspiration.”
Oshoba also called on officers and stakeholders to extend the same support and cooperation to his successor.
Responding, Mu’azu urged officers and stakeholders to work collectively towards sustaining the progress of the Command, noting that the responsibility for its success could not rest on the CAC alone.
“The success we seek cannot be achieved by the CAC alone. It requires our collective efforts, operational integrity and willingness to uphold the standards of the Service,” he said.
He assured stakeholders of an open and constructive relationship founded on fairness, mutual respect and the national interest.
Mu’azu expressed confidence that the Apapa Area Command would continue to serve as a model of efficient revenue administration, legitimate trade facilitation and professional conduct.
