By Edu Abade
With so many achievements in his kitty, it was a missed bag of excitement and nostalgia on Monday, September 7, 2025 during the handover ceremony to the newly deployed Comptroller EOA Oshoba at the Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), where former Comptroller BO Olomu had held sway for the past 15 months.
Although there is no denying the fact that the outgoing CAC recorded unprecedented milestones during his stay at the Command, many stakeholders agreed that having made his mark within a short space of time, exigency of service demanded that officers and men who excel at their duty posts got elevated to higher grounds-and that is the basis on which Olomu has been elevated to Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs (ACG).
In his FAREWELL SPEECH ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2025, Olomu noted that since assuming office on May 6, 2024, he and the Command were constantly reminded that the service period was meant to bring challenges, proffer solutions to keep Nigeria better, but that at some point, his assignment will come to an end, adding, “I am glad to inform you that l am now elevated to Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs (ACG) and so my tenure as the CAC of Apapa Command ends.”
Olomu, who appreciated the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi for entrusting him with the task of piloting customs affairs in Apapa-the flagship command stated, however, that providence required that he moved further to serve the NCS and the nation elsewhere.
Giving details of his revenue drive as CAC of the Apapa Command, he pointed out that the command achieved its first N2 trillion revenue collection, which is an unprecedented feat in the history of the service, adding that In recognition of the feat, the command earned numerous awards including the CGC Special Award for Excellence in Revenue Collection, Trade Facilitation and Overall Best Area Controller.
“In spite of the accolades, we stayed focused on laying the bricks for improvement in our collection hourly, daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly to arrive at the outstanding accomplishments. We achieved a record-breaking single-day revenue collection of over N17.9 billion on June 19, 2024. Again, the command set another benchmark with N18.2 billion in daily revenue in October 2024.
“Furthermore, another daily revenue collection record of N18.9 billion was made on March 14, 2025.
Consequently, for the month of August, 2025, the Command collected 214.9 billion using the newly introduced B’Odogwu, the Unified Customs Management System, despite initial technical challenges.
As of today, we have collected a total of N1.834 billion for the year 2025. I am optimistic that my successor will build on these achievements to surpass our 2025 revenue target of N3 trillion since we have attained 60 percent of our annual collection,” he stated.
He also provided details of the command’s feats in trade facilitation and modernization, enforcement and anti-smuggling, as well as stakeholders engagement, which further placed the Apapa Port as the premier Command of the Service
Speaking, Comptroller Oshoba, who said he was assuming duty with s strong sense of responsibility, restated the earlier stance that the Customs Area Controller that Apapa remains Nigeria’s premier port and the heartbeat of Nigeria’s maritime trade.
Oshoba, who commended the CGC Adeniyi and the Management of the NCS for entrusting him with this strategic responsibility of overseeing the Apapa Customs Command, assured of his utmost commitment to justify the confidence reposed in him.
“I also commend my predecessor, whose tenure here has been nothing short of historic. Under his leadership, the Apapa Command became a benchmark for excellence in revenue generation, enforcement and trade facilitation and kudos to ACG Babatunde Olomu.
“As I take over, stakeholders’ ideas, passion and expertise are the foundation on which my service shall be built. I am committed to fostering an environment where every voice is heard and valued and my leadership will be guided by three key pillars: Improving revenue excellence, deepening enforcement and security and enhancing stakeholder relations with the port community as our partner in progress,” he stated.
In their interventions, Founder of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, applauded Olomu for ensuring industrial peace during his tenure, saying, “We want to thank the outgoing CAC for the peace we enjoyed and we pledge our support for the new CAC, Comptroller Oshoba. NAGAFF will always support you to do better than your predecessor,” he said.
Among several other speakers, Ademola Mumuni of Storin Marine described Olomu’s tenure as a success story, adding, “The ACG has been a success in Apapa, and that is due to the support of the officers. We wish you the best in your endeavors while also pledging support for the new CAC,” he noted.
On his part, Publisher of Tentacle Magazine, Innocent Chukwu, who was called upon to speak on behalf of the media, commended Olomu for his open door policy and his deliberate efforts in ensuring that the Command remained focused and friendly with members of the fourth estate of the realm and urged the new CAC to embrace the values that endeared him the command to the press while he (Olomu) held sway as CAC.
