In a momentous gathering at the Apapa Customs Command, stakeholders from across the Nigerian port ecosystem joined the farewell for the recently promoted Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Babatunde Olomu. After a tenure of fifteen months at the command, Olomu handed over leadership duties to the incoming Area Controller, Compt Oshoba.

Key moments from the event

• ACG Babatunde Olomu formally handed over to Compt EOA Oshoba, signalling a smooth transition in leadership at Apapa Command.
• The ceremony featured notable voices from the freight forwarding and shipping community, reaffirming support for the incoming administration and calling for continued industrial peace.

Notable speakers and messages of support

• Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, Founder of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), commended Olomu’s performance and urged the incoming team to maintain the momentum, emphasising the need for industrial peace and continuity of success.
• Alhaji Hakeem Olarenwaju, Chairman of the Customs Consultative Committee (CCC), assured ongoing collaboration and support for the new Area Controller.
• Demola Mumuney, CEO of Stoirin Maritime Services and Board Member of ANLCA, praised Olomu as a “success story” in Apapa and urged officers who worked with him to extend the same commitment to the new controller.

Visual highlights

• Attendees included leaders from ANLCA and other key stakeholder groups, with a notable photo montage capturing the moment of Olomu presenting and Oshoba receiving the command flag.
• A group photo showcased the collective spirit of collaboration among stakeholders and customs officers.

Olomu’s legacy: impressive revenue milestones and modernisation

During his remarks, Olomu highlighted several jaw-dropping milestones achieved under his leadership:

• A historic breakthrough: Apapa Command achieved its first-ever N2 trillion in revenue, a record-setting feat for the command.
• Multiple record-setting daily revenues:
  • N17.9 billion on June 19, 2024
  • N18.2 billion in daily revenue in October 2024
  • N18.9 billion on March 14, 2025
• Aiming high for the year: For August 2025, the command collected N214.9 billion using the newly introduced B’ B’Odogwu, the Unified Customs Management System, despite initial teething challenges.
• Year-to-date performance: As of today, the command has accumulated a total of N1,834,789,499,850.40 for 2025, with Olomu expressing optimism that the new leadership will surpass the 2025 revenue target of N3 trillion by building on 60% of the annual target already achieved.

Trade facilitation and modernisation at the core

Olomu emphasised that Apapa has been positioned as a central hub for implementing the CGC-approved trade facilitation reforms. Highlights include:

• Faster cargo clearance and streamlined dispute resolution
• Strong emphasis on compliance across all stakeholders—importers, exporters, freight forwarders, licensed customs agents, terminal operators, bonded terminal owners, and other interfacing entities
• A steadfast anti-smuggling drive, with a documented focus on preventing unregistered and controlled medications and other illicit goods

Seizures and anti-smuggling achievements

• Over the 15-month tenure, Olomu-led efforts resulted in 75 seizures involving 62 units of 40-foot containers and 13 units of 2011 containers.
• Seizures included fake, expired, and substandard medicines, controlled drugs (e.g., codeine syrup, tramadol, Indian hemp), as well as other contraband such as used clothing and wood.

Welcome to the new era: Oshoba’s address and call for unity

In Compt Oshoba’s acceptance speech, he urged officers and stakeholders to renew dedication and align around a shared vision for excellence at the command. His three guiding principles for the early days are the three Ls:

• Look, Listen, and Learn

Oshoba invited all partners to join him on this journey of continuous improvement, signalling an inclusive leadership style and a commitment to building on Olomu’s solid foundation.

Key takeaway for readers and stakeholders

• The Apapa Command has marked a historic transition with a proven track record of revenue growth, efficient trade facilitation, and a robust anti-smuggling posture.
• The incoming Area Controller, Compt Oshoba, signals continuity and collaboration, inviting stakeholders to contribute to a shared mission of enhanced efficiency, compliance, and revenue generation.
• Expect continued modernisation efforts, expanded use of digital systems like B’Odogwu, and reinforced partnerships across the port ecosystem.

Post-Event reflections

• The farewell and handover underscore the importance of stable leadership in Nigeria’s critical port infrastructure.
• With the three Ls mindset and a broad coalition of stakeholders behind him, Oshoba appears poised to sustain and potentially exceed the gains achieved under Olomu.