Following resignations and retirements among the rank and file of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Seme Area Command on Monday, September 7, 2025 witnessed a change of leadership as Comptroller Wale Adenuga took over as Customs Area Controller (CAC) at the ECOWAS Joint Border Post, Seme-Krake Border Post.
Dressed in a radiant Agbada attire with a red cap to match as is typical of his Igbo culture, former CAC of the Command, Ben Oramalugo PhD, who just got promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General of Customs (ACG) upon retirement from service, performed the handing over ceremony with senior officials from sister security agencies, representatives of trade and transport stakeholders, community leaders and media practitioners.
In his inaugural address, Adenuga, who commended the outgoing the former CAC Oramalugo for his achievements, pledged to consolidate on them, while outlining his vision for the Command, just as he placed trade facilitation at the heart of his leadership, stating, “Trade facilitation is my keyword. When stakeholders make proper declarations, their consignments will leave Customs control within the shortest possible time. The more we facilitate trade, the more revenue we generate and the less smuggling we have.”
Adenuga pledged to collaborate closely with sister agencies, including the DSS, Nigeria Police, Immigration, NDLEA, the Nigeria Military, NAFDAC and others to reduce crimes and create a friendly environment for businesses to thrive. He also committed to maintaining open communications with the traditional rulers, Badagry youths and the media and assured all that “his doors remain open”.
He promised to lead from the front and ensure officers remain disciplined and committed to their responsibility and not to compromise their duties.
Acknowledging the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who doubles as President of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council and the first Nigerian to hold the position, Comptroller Adenuga stressed the need to make the CGC proud through exemplary performance.
In his farewell remarks, ACG Oramalugo described the day as one of “mixed emotions and joy” at God’s faithfulness and his promotion, but nostalgia for the bonds built during his time in Seme, while highlighting key achievements under his leadership, including sustained suppression of smuggling with significant seizures of prohibited goods.
He also flaunted improved revenue collection and enhanced trade facilitation to ease legitimate business as hallmarks of his stay at the Command, safeguarding national security, fostering inter-agency cooperation, as well as stakeholders and community engagement, among others.
He expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs and NCS Management for their support, thanked his officers for their loyalty and discipline and urged all stakeholders to extend “even greater support” to his successor.
The ceremony featured goodwill messages from heads of sister agencies and stakeholders, including the Comptroller of Immigration at the Joint Border Post, Comptroller of Immigration Land Border Patrol, Nigeria Shippers Council, NDLEA and FRSC, among others.
The event ended with a collective pledge from all agencies and stakeholders to work in synergy with the new leadership to boost revenue, curb smuggling, enhance security and promote seamless trade at the Seme Border.
