In a time when performance is the true currency of leadership, Comptroller Emmanuel Oluwadare Oshoba has emerged as a compelling figure in Nigeria’s maritime and customs landscape, one who not only promises results but delivers them with precision and purpose.
When Oshoba assumed office as the Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, expectations were sky-high. He was stepping into the shoes of Assistant Comptroller General Babatunde Olomu fsi, a man whose tenure was marked by record-breaking revenue and enforcement milestones. But rather than be daunted by the legacy, Oshoba embraced it—and then raised the bar.
Just two days into his tenure, Apapa Command recorded a staggering ₦20 billion in daily revenue. It was more than a number; it was a statement. It was a declaration that he was not there to maintain the status quo but to redefine it; as events would show.
October 2025: A Historic Revenue Milestone
That declaration found its loudest echo in October 2025, when Apapa Command shattered all previous records by collecting ₦304 billion in a single month—the highest ever by any customs command in Nigeria’s history. This figure not only eclipsed the ₦264 billion collected in October 2024 but also pushed the Command’s cumulative revenue for the year to over ₦2.4 trillion, two months ahead of schedule.
Oshoba described the feat as “the beginning of greater revenue exploits,” and stakeholders across the maritime sector couldn’t agree more. The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and industry players have since reaffirmed his confidence in Oshoba’s leadership, hailing his blend of operational discipline and strategic foresight.
Reform, Technology, and Tactical Precision
Oshoba’s leadership is defined by a three-pronged strategy: revenue excellence, enforcement depth, and stakeholder engagement. His inspection of the newly installed high-throughput scanners, capable of processing 200 containers per hour, underscores his commitment to modernization. Strategically placed at the quay side, these scanners are revolutionizing cargo inspection, reducing delays, and exposing concealments with surgical accuracy.
He has also championed the One-Stop-Shop (OSS) initiative, harmonizing customs procedures to save time and eliminate inefficiencies. His zero-tolerance stance on revenue leakages and misapplication of HS codes has sent a clear message: compliance is non-negotiable.
Leadership Beyond the Office
But Oshoba’s impact isn’t confined to customs long room and scanners. He’s been seen on unannounced visits to port access roads, engaging truckers and freight forwarders, urging them to prioritize the evacuation of cleared consignments. His collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) reflects a broader vision, one where customs efficiency is inseparable from port fluidity.
He’s also invested in human capital, organizing in-house training for newly promoted Deputy and Assistant Comptrollers, ensuring that the next generation of customs officers is equipped to sustain and surpass current achievements.
A Legacy in the Making
From his early days at Idiroko to his strategic roles at Customs Headquarters, Oshoba has always been a man of action and insight. Now at Apapa, he is demonstrating that leadership is not about titles but about tangible outcomes.
As the port community watches with renewed optimism, one thing is certain: Oshoba is not just fulfilling capacity—he is demonstrating it, expanding it, and setting new standards for what is possible in Nigeria’s customs administration.
In the words of the man himself: “This is not our final destination. We are ready to do better.”
And with Oshoba at the helm, Apapa Command is clearly on course to do just that.
Thus far, his revolution is not only primed against reform and results—but with a resolve kept in constant motion, where strategy meets impact.
