Comptroller Murtala Muazu defines his desire as the Customs Area Controller (CAC) in charge of the Apapa Area 1 Command Lagos, stressing his main agenda is on how best to harness the full potential of the nation’s busiest port via the consolidation of inter agency collaboration, and the full implementation of the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business
By Innocent Chukwu
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Apapa Area 1 Command in Lagos, Comptroller Murtala Muazu, has stressed the importance of full implementation of the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business in Apapa Premier as a measure that will enable the Command to achieve the best result in its core responsibilities. These responsibilities include the reduction of smuggling activities through the port, checkmate security breaches and drugs trafficking, as well as the introduction of trade facilitation initiatives that would lead to squeezing huge revenues from the port for the economic prosperity of the nation.
Comptroller Muazu said further that to make good his intentions, his administration would deploy the consolidation of inter agency collaboration to enable all government agencies at the port to work with one purpose to achieve a common agenda for security of the country and its economic growth. These leadership strategies were revealed during recent visitations embarked upon by the new CAC, Muazu and his management team to various agencies and supporting allies of the Command.
On Thursday, October 29, 2026, Muazu told a group of Customs licensed agents who paid him a working visit at the Command’s Headquarters, Apapa, Lagos, that the ease of doing business policy would remain among his major focus as long as he would last in the Command as the CAC.
The National President of the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, led a delegation of the association on the courtesy visit to Mu’azu, with the aim to discuss key issues affecting port operations.
Mu’azu, the 33rd Area Controller of Apapa Command, was posted to the Area on September 29, 2026. He was previously the Comptroller in charge of Tariff and Trade (T&T) Unit, and System Audit at the Customs Headquarters, Abuja. His posting to man the flagship of Customs Commands, stakeholders said, is the litmus test for his Customs administration and leadership capabilities.
The Apapa Customs’ CAC’s meeting with members of APFFLON focused on strengthening collaboration between the clearing and forwarding subsector and Customs, promote ease of doing business, and enhance compliance with customs regulations.
Both parties stressed the importance of constructive engagement, mutual cooperation and effective communication in facilitating legitimate trade, reducing delays and improving operational efficiency at the Premier Port.
Speaking on the essence of the visit, Ogunojemite said APFFLON stood out among the six clearing and forwarding associations in the maritime industry, adding that he wanted APFFLON to be the first to make such a visit.
He pledged the Association’s willingness to work with the CAC to ensure he (Muazu) would be successful at Apapa. He described Muazu as a man with great heights to attain in the Service because of his youthfulness and thorough knowledge of the job.
APFFLON also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Customs Service in promoting compliance, transparency, and a more business-friendly maritime environment for the benefit of freight forwarders, importers, exporters and the Nigerian economy.
In his response, Mu’azu said, “I am happy to be receiving this delegation today. It is not random for an association like APFFLON to pay a courtesy visit. For them to come for a visit to the Controller and his principal officers, it is worthy of commendation.”
He also commended the Apapa Chapter Executives of APFFLON for doing a good job, describing them as very reasonable people who, whenever issues arose, sought peaceful ways to resolve them through the right channels.
The CAC assured the delegation that, for as long as he remained at the Command, they would do their business with ease.
He said his doors would remain wide open for all business people at the port, and that he would direct his officers to give all clearing and forwarding agents equal opportunities to operate.
Earlier on, towards the middle of October 2026, Muazu had paid a familiarization and working visit to the Ports Authority Police, Western Command, as part of efforts to consolidate the existing inter-agency collaboration and strengthen security within the nation’s maritime environment.
During the visit, the Apapa Customs CAC had assured the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Port Authority Command, Oluwatoyin Agbaminoja, of his willingness and readiness to work closely with the Command towards strengthening the existing synergy between both agencies.
Muazu also reiterated his commitment to fostering mutual cooperation, effective intelligence sharing, and operational collaboration in the collective pursuit of a safe, secure, and economically viable maritime environment.
The AC further emphasised the importance of maintaining a harmonious working relationship between the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS ) and the Nigeria Police Force, while noting that sustained inter-agency collaboration remained critical to addressing emerging security challenges, facilitating legitimate trade, and safeguarding national economic interests.
In her response, the Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police, Western Command, CP Agbaminoja, warmly welcomed Muazu and his delegation, and congratulated him on his appointment. She reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to supporting the NCS in the discharge of its statutory responsibilities, stressing that effective inter agency collaboration remained indispensable to combating criminal activities and safeguarding critical port infrastructure.
The CP further assured the Comptroller of her Command’s continued support and readiness to deepen the existing partnership through intelligence sharing, coordinated operations, and sustained engagement towards ensuring a peaceful, secure, and business-friendly port environment.
