The new-generation officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) warning up to inherit its impending new management showcase leadership qualities at their various formations, while the 1994 set of sporting officers accuse the Comptroller General Adewale Adeniyi of partiality
By Innocent Chukwu
Eventually, the coast is getting clearer for the 2009 set officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to take over complete leadership of the agency from the headquarters in Abuja to the Commands level, Tentacle can authoritatively reveal.
The Wale Adeniyi-led old-generation management is fast winding up. Also, all the traces of the entire old-generation officers are evaporating gradually. By the end of January 2027, Adeniyi who will be remembered as the last old-generation Comptroller General, will become an odd member of the new management that will be populated by erudite and ebullient new-generation officers. By that time, Adeniyi leadership may have just a minute or no effect on the NCS now peopled by operatives with high level of technical acumen.
But Adeniyi whose management membership has depleted lately as a result of inevitable retirement, is willy-nilly, compelled to do the bidding of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by identifying the most qualified officers among the 2009 set whom he has begun to deploy to strategic Area Commands. These are the ones to steer the leadership wheels of the NCS from February 2027.
Though an insignificant number of Deputy Comptrollers (DCs) of the 1994 set who were recruited on sports basis are raising the alarm at how their juniors would lead them till their retirement time, such agitation has failed to make impact on the ears of the Adeniyi-led management which is still under pressure to form a new management strictly made of the new era officers.
The 1994 set of officers are truly, according to stakeholders, the unfortunate lot. Even when they had long been converted to general-duty officers, they have found it difficult to find favour in the eyes of Adeniyi and his management team who have adamantly relegated them to playing the second fiddle. Even as some of them still occupy some sensitive positions, they have been unable, with their performance, to convince the Adeniyi management that what is good for the goose can also be good for the gander.
Although this group of officers who may not be more than 15 in number, Tentacle gathered, may be allowed to participate in the forthcoming promotion examination, their hope of getting promoted to the Comptroller rank appears bleak as investigation revealed that there is orchestrated ploy to stunt their promotion and posting to head Area Commands.
There is also expected drastic drop in their morale and passion for the job going forward, when they would be compelled to serve under the supervision of the 2009 officers who are their juniors with about 15 years. Their fate in the Service is said to be hanging in the balance under the current management of the Service. They have alleged that Adeniyi’s leadership which has refused to accord them their due position and promotion, lacks equity, fairness and empathy to harmonize and eradicate the wall of division between these two sets of officers. They have called on President Tinubu and the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, who is the Chairman of Customs Board, to look into their plight critically and resolve it amicably because according to them, they are citizens with equal rights with others, the circumstances surrounding their recruitment notwithstanding.
As at the end of September 2026, some of the new-generation officers considered the brightest among equals, have been deployed and redeployed to join their mates in leading some of the grade A Commands. A roll call of the latest movements of the 2009 set of Deputy Comptrollers to various Area Commands indicates a selection of knowledgeable officers ready to lead the NCS to stardom.
At Idiroko, Encomiums, Emotions and Prayers Clash:
At the Ogun 1 Command, Idiroko in Ogun State where outgone DC Oladapo Afeni handed over to his successor last week, emotions ran high. This was because Afeni is said to have exhibited rare leadership qualities as the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command which particularly prevented a near-show down between security agencies of Benin Republic and those of Nigeria. Afeni was the Chairman of Joint Border Security Agencies at Idiroko Border.
During the formal handover and takeover between Afeni and his successor, DC AA Ibrahim, Customs officers, sister security agencies, traditional rulers and other critical stakeholders were full of regrets that the officer whom they referred to as a seasoned leader was leaving them. They praised Afeni’s sterling leadership to high heavens and prayed for him and the new CAC Ibrahim.
Taking over the mantle of leadership, acting Comptroller Ibrahim said he was delighted to assume the leadership of the Ogun 1 Command. He pledged to give his best to uphold the standards of professionalism and integrity, adding that the Command will continue to be a no-go area for smuggling activities just as it was under his immediate predecessor.
Delivering a speech at the event, acting Comptroller Ibrahim said, “Let me begin by expressing my profound gratitude to the Almighty Allah for this opportunity and privilege. I also sincerely appreciate the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, and the entire Management Team of the Nigeria Customs Service for the confidence reposed in me by entrusting me with this important responsibility.
“I assure you that I will not take this responsibility for granted. I pledge to give my very best in upholding the standards of professionalism, integrity, discipline and ethical conduct expected of the Service, while faithfully advancing the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
“Permit me to specially acknowledge my predecessor, Deputy Comptroller OO Afeni, for his leadership, dedication and accomplishments during his tenure. Under his stewardship, the Command recorded notable achievements, including improved revenue collection, strengthened anti-smuggling operations, and enhanced engagement with host communities and other stakeholders.
“I am fully aware of the unique and demanding operational environment of the Ogun 1 Area Command, characterised by extensive border areas, vibrant socio-economic activities and an evolving security landscape. I am equally conscious of the strategic importance of this Command to Nigeria’s economy, border security and national development.
“As I assume this responsibility, my objective is to consolidate the gains already achieved while advancing the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General of Customs. Particular attention will be given to community relations, operational efficiency, effective enforcement, intelligence-led operations, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), trade facilitation and robust stakeholder collaboration.
“We will remain steadfast in the discharge of the core mandates of the Nigeria Customs Service, particularly revenue collection, suppression of smuggling, facilitation of lawful trade, and protection of national security. I therefore urge all officers and men of this Command to remain committed, disciplined, professional and responsive in the discharge of their duties”.
Sending warning signal to smugglers, Ibrahim said his leadership will not tolerate acts of economic sabotage, adding, “Let me also use this opportunity to send a clear message to economic saboteurs and those who may seek to test our resolve. Under my leadership, the Command will not tolerate acts of economic sabotage. We shall employ all lawful and legitimate means at our disposal to combat smuggling, protect government revenue and ensure compliance with extant trade laws and regulations”.
Earlier in his address, the outgone CAC Afeni had reeled out his performance record which attracted applause from stakeholders present.
According to DC Afeni, “It is my honour to welcome you all to the conference room of Ogun I Area Command Headquarters in Idiroko and with deep gratitude to Almighty God and a profound sense of fulfillment that I address you today. As I am to formally hand over the leadership of the Ogun I Area Command following my recent redeployment by the Comptroller-General of Customs to the Federal Operations Unit, Ikeja, Lagos State
“Since assuming leadership of this strategic Command on December 4, 2025, our team has pursued a clear, unwavering mandate. To strengthen border security, suppress smuggling, facilitate legitimate trade, and deepen stakeholders’ engagement across Ogun State. Our concerted operational strategies, intelligence-led enforcement, and enhanced inter-agency collaboration have yielded remarkable, tangible results across all key focus areas”.
Reeling out his performance record, Afeni said he took some difficult decisions that resulted in the successful outing of the Command under his watch. Part of the success include N896.5 million revenue which is far higher than the Command’s revenue target, as well as huge quantities of seizures with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N14.7 billion.
Afeni said, “I certainly made some difficult decisions that in my humble opinion yielded positive results. In the course of taking these decisions, feathers were ruffled, toes were stepped upon but each and every one of those decisions were not taken for personal gains, they were rather for the set target by Comptroller General of Customs. It is in this light, that I am very pleased to say that the Command has also changed drastically both in structures, Revenue generation, Anti-smuggling activities and Trade facilitation.
“Today, it is not my intention to list out all that we have accomplished. I believe they speak for themselves. Rather, I would like to take this opportunity to briefly offer some of my impressions on how things have fared for the past ten months.
“What comes to mind first and foremost was the revenue we generated during the period. The Command was given a revenue target of N545,348,440.12 Under my leadership, the Command has far generated Eight Hundred and Ninety-Six Million, Five Hundred and Thirty-nine Thousand, one Hundred and thirty-eight Naira (N896,539,138.00) from January to August this year 2026. This indicated that we have surpassed the revenue target with Three Hundred and Fifty Million Seven Hundred and thirteen Thousand Nine Hundred and twenty Naira Eighty-two Kobo (N350,713,920.82) a performance we collectively achieved through dedication, transparency and resilience.
“In export, the Command recorded a significant surge in export activity, moving 31,177 metric tons of goods with a Free on Board (FOB) value of Four Billion Six hundred and forty-four million, seven hundred and forty Thousand One Hundred and Ten-naira nine kobo (₦4,644,740,110.09). This represents a substantial year-on-year improvement compared to the same period in 2025, which saw no or zero export trade”.
Miko Dazzles With Pragmatic Leadership
At the Ports and Terminals Multi-Services Limited (PTML) Command, Tincan Island, Apapa Lagos, Deputy Comptroller Nura Ibrahim Miko is regarded by the business community and other stakeholders as the best thing that has happened to the NCS. The commendation being heaped on Miko is due to his pragmatic approach to leadership which comes with a combination of open door policy, empathy, conflict resolution expertise and rare efforts to achieve maximum revenue generation for the Federal Government.
Miko, the CAC in charge of the PTML Command, may be heading for a higher calling in Command leadership, but in the meantime, he has taken discipline, trade facilitation and revenue generation to topnotch since he became the CAC. The difference in Miko’s brand of leadership is that he appears unperturbed, easy going, incomparably humble and rugged in getting results.
Since his coming to the PTML Command, Miko has ensured that no revenue loss was witnessed. On monthly basis, the Command would put in more effort to ensure that its revenue generation met the expectation of the Customs management. It was gathered that in the nearest future DC Miko may be heading a bigger Command than the one he superintends at present.
Adigun Squeezes Out Revenue At KLT
The no-nonsense acting Comptroller Bolaji Adigun has left no stone unturned in ensuring that the Kiri-Kiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) Command which he heads never lagged behind among other Commands in the areas of combating smuggling, sealing revenue leakages, enhancing trade facilitation and increased revenue collection for the government. Waiting in the wings for a higher calling, DC Adigun has, against all odds, proved that he is worthy of making it to the membership list of the incoming Customs management.
The KLT Command does not have the fame of Apapa or the noise of Tin Can Island, rather it sits in the shadows, behind the oil-stained lagoons of Kirikiri, Lagos, where barges groan and containers float rather than dock.
But make no mistake, the KLT Area Command is no longer a footnote in Nigeria’s maritime story. It is now a central character, especially under its current leadership
It is a lighter terminal by design. Mother vessels cannot berth here. Instead, cargo is lightered by barges from the major ports, a workaround born out of Apapa’s legendary congestion. What was meant as a relief valve has become a revenue machine.
Consider the numbers. In 2024, the Command generated N107.182 billion. In 2025, it generated N147.216 billion. That was N40.03 billion more, a 35 percent growth that smashed its annual target of N109.442 billion.
The momentum did not slow in 2026. In June 2026 alone, the Command announced N19.404 billion, up from N14.363 billion in June 2025. Same growth rate, 35 percent. Same message: KLT is delivering.
Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Bolaji Lukman Adigun, who took over in December 2025, attributes this success story to the dedication of officers, improved stakeholder compliance, enhanced trade facilitation and intelligence-driven operations.
But behind the neat percentages lies a more complicated, more critical story. What exactly is KLT facilitating, and what is it fighting?
On July 30, 2026, Adigun did not just present revenue figures. He unveiled a 40-foot container loaded with expired disposable vape products worth N809.698 million. The products carried expiry dates ranging from 2022 to 2026.
A few months earlier, on January 16, the Command had intercepted a 20-foot container, GESU3900612, carrying 440 bags of expired Triple Pressed Stearic Acid from Indonesia, valued at N36.5 million. The consignment had expired in 2023.
Afeni Heads FOU Zone ‘A’
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, Ikeja-Lagos, on Wednesday, 30th September 2026, welcomed Afeni as its CAC following the retirement of Comptroller Gambo Aliyu after a meritorious career in the Service.
The formal handing-over ceremony, held at the Unit’s conference hall, was attended by colleagues, friends, well-wishers, senior Customs officers and other stakeholders. Addressing officers and stakeholders DC Afeni pledged to provide purposeful, professional and accountable leadership in advancing the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service.
He expressed appreciation to the CGC aand the management of the Service for the confidence reposed in him.
The new Acting Comptroller said his administration would strengthen intelligence-led enforcement, tackle revenue leakages and safeguard Nigeria’s economic and security interests.
He said that enforcement operations under his leadership would remain firm, lawful and respectful of human dignity, while legitimate trade would be facilitated through constructive engagement with traders, manufacturers, importers, exporters, customs brokers and other stakeholders.
DC Afeni also called for stronger collaboration with sister security and law enforcement agencies to combat trans -border crimes, particularly the illicit movement of drugs, arms, currencies, counterfeit goods and other prohibited items across the Nigeria border.
He also pledged to prioritise officers’ welfare and professional development, strengthen institutional discipline and encourage regular sporting activities to promote physical fitness, teamwork and work-life balance among personnel.
In his handing-over address, the immediate past Comptroller, retired Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, expressed gratitude to God and the Service, describing the ceremony as an important transition in leadership and an opportunity to reflect on the responsibilities and challenges of commanding the unit.
Comptroller Aliyu said his administration persevered on combating smuggling, revenue fraud, concealment, under-declaration, false declaration and the illicit movement of prohibited goods.
The report,according to him includes, recorded 779 seizures during his tenure, involving various prohibited and illegally imported items, including:
- More than 20,900 bags of foreign parboiled rice;
- 61 used vehicles;
- Thousands of used compressors and clothing items;
- Foreign poultry products;
- 4,418 jerrycans of vegetable oil;
- 12,606 parcels of cannabis weighing 6,194.3kg;
- 2.30kg of cocaine;
- More than 3,000 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), equivalent to 76,505 litres; and
- 22 elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg.
According to him, the seizures had a combined duty-paid value of ₦13,075,056,616.00.
On revenue recovery, Comptroller Aliyu disclosed that the unit recovered ₦3,192,511,547.52 between 10 December 2025 and 24 September 2026.
He said the figure represented 798 per cent of the unit’s ₦400 million annual revenue recovery target for 2026, while also recording a 776 per cent increase over the ₦411,451,901.18 recovered during the corresponding period in 2025.
Aliyu attributed the performance to strengthen risk profiling, stricter compliance checks, targeted examination of suspicious declarations, teamwork,and collaboration with sister agencies and stakeholders.
He stressed that effective enforcement required collective efforts, noting that “no enforcement agency can succeed in isolation.”
Concluding his address, the retired Comptroller congratulated his successor and expressed confidence that the new administration would build on the operational foundation already established.
He urged DC Afeni to lead with fairness, firmness, courage and sound judgment, while assuring him of the cooperation and support necessary to sustain the unit’s mandate.Comptroller Aliyu also commended officers of the unit for their loyalty, discipline and resilience throughout his tenure.
He prayed for the success of the new leadership, the continued growth of the Nigeria Customs Service and the security and prosperity of Nigeria.
Mu’azu Takes Charge at Apapa Customs, Vows to Sustain Oshoba’s Revenue Legacy
Comptroller Murtala Mu’azu has assumed duty as the 33rd Customs Area Controller (CAC), Apapa Area Command, pledging to sustain the Command’s revenue performance while strengthening trade facilitation, enforcement, professionalism and stakeholder engagement.
Mu’azu formally took over from the immediate past Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba (Rtd), at a farewell and assumption-of-office ceremony held on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at the Apapa Area Command Auditorium, Lagos.
The ceremony attracted heads and representatives of security and regulatory agencies, terminal operators, shipping companies, customs brokers, government agencies and other stakeholders.
In his inaugural address, Mu’azu described his appointment as a “great honour and privilege,” thanking the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, fnipr, psc+, for the confidence reposed in him.
He pledged to align his administration with the three strategic pillars of the Comptroller-General—consolidation, collaboration and innovation—with emphasis on revenue integrity, efficient trade facilitation, professionalism and meaningful stakeholder engagement.
On revenue, the new Apapa CAC declared that every revenue due to government must be properly assessed and collected, while decisions taken by customs officers must remain transparent and withstand scrutiny.
He also promised deeper collaboration with importers, exporters, licensed customs agents, shipping companies, terminal operators, port authorities and other government agencies to improve the efficiency of legitimate trade through the nation’s premier port.
A major focus of his administration, Mu’azu said, would be the elimination of avoidable delays in cargo clearance.
“Unnecessary human delays in cargo processing otherwise known as Non-Tariff Barriers shall not be tolerated henceforth,”
he declared, stressing that legitimate cargo that has satisfied all regulatory requirements should be allowed to move without unnecessary obstruction.
He further charged officers to maintain discipline, professionalism, decorum and courtesy in their interactions with members of the trading public.
Mu’azu acknowledged the impressive revenue record established by his predecessor, particularly the ₦323 billion monthly collection recorded in July 2026 and the ₦28.102 billion single-day collection achieved on August 18, 2026.
Describing the figures as a significant benchmark, he said sustaining and surpassing the achievement would be a major responsibility for his administration.
“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.”
The new Controller also commended Oshoba for his contributions to enforcement, trade facilitation and the implementation of key Customs modernisation initiatives, including B’Odogwu, Advance Ruling, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, One-Stop Shop and Non-Intrusive Inspection technology.
Oshoba, in his farewell address, expressed appreciation to officers, men and stakeholders of the Command for their support during his tenure, maintaining that the achievements recorded under his leadership were the collective accomplishment of the Command.
“The achievements recorded during my tenure do not belong to one individual. They belong to all of us.”
He urged officers to sustain the standards established during his tenure, stressing that:
“Discipline must remain our foundation, professionalism our standard and excellence our aspiration.”
He also called on them to extend the same cooperation to his successor.
Responding, Mu’azu emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in achieving the Command’s objectives, noting that the success of Apapa Customs could not depend 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 assured stakeholders that his administration would maintain an open and constructive relationship based on fairness, mutual respect and the national interest, while working to position Apapa Area Command as a model of efficient revenue administration, legitimate trade facilitation and professional conduct
Kukoyi Takes Over From Abubakar at Lagos Free Trade Zone Customs
Deputy Comptroller of Customs Olufemi Kukoyi has assumed duty as Acting Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, following the retirement of Comptroller Hauwa Abubakar.
Kukoyi officially took charge on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, commending his predecessor for laying what he described as a solid foundation in revenue generation, trade facilitation, enforcement, and stakeholder engagement. He wished Abubakar a peaceful and fulfilling retirement after her years of service to the NCS.
The new Acting Area Controller pledged to consolidate on past achievements through greater collaboration, innovation, and discipline. He expressed appreciation to Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adeniyi, for entrusting him with the responsibility, assuring that he would not take the opportunity for granted.
Kukoyi outlined his mandate to ensure maximum revenue collection, strengthen trade facilitation, enhance border security through watertight enforcement, uphold strict discipline among officers, drive technology-enabled, transparent, and time-bound processes, and support the implementation of the National Single Window and One-Stop Shop mechanism.
He emphasized that the command would maintain zero tolerance for compromise, aiming to make the Lagos Free Trade Zone a reference point for efficient customs administration.
The leadership change comes on the heels of a strong revenue performance under Abubakar. Between January and June 2026, the command generated ₦408.8 billion, representing a 28.85% increase compared to the ₦317.3 billion collected in the same period of 2025.
Abubakar attributed the growth to deliberate strategies focused on strengthening compliance, and improving operational efficiency, deepening stakeholder engagement within the Free Trade Zones and Lekki Port
She credited officers and men of the command for their professionalism and commitment, noting that their efforts boosted revenue performance and reinforced the confidence of the trading community.
The retired controller also disclosed that June 2026 marked the command’s highest monthly revenue since inception, with ₦87.10 billion collected.
With Kukoyi now at the helm, expectations are high that the command will build on this momentum, further advancing trade facilitation, enforcement, technology adoption, and stakeholder relations
