New Era at Apapa Customs as Mu’azu Relieves Oshoba

By Temitope Adebiyi, Correspondent

Comptroller Murtala Mu’azu has officially assumed office as the 33rd Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Apapa Area Command.

Taking over on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, Mu’azu pledged to build on the Command’s success in revenue generation, trade facilitation, enforcement, and institutional discipline.

The handover ceremony, held at the Apapa Area Command Auditorium, drew a wide audience of security and regulatory heads, terminal operators, shipping executives, and customs brokers who gathered to honour both the incoming and outgoing Controllers.

In his inaugural address, Mu’azu described his appointment as a great honour and privilege.

He expressed profound gratitude to the Comptroller-General of the Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for entrusting him to lead the vital Command.

Mu’azu committed to advancing the economic interests of the nation, stating that his administration will align with the Comptroller-General’s three strategic pillars: consolidation, collaboration, and innovation.

Moving forward, the Command, he said, will place particular emphasis on revenue integrity, efficient trade facilitation, professionalism, and stakeholder engagement.

On revenue, Comptroller Mu’azu stated that “Every revenue due to government must be properly assessed and collected, and every decision taken by our officers must be capable of standing the test of scrutiny over time.”

He further assured stakeholders that the Command would deepen collaboration with importers, exporters, licensed customs agents, shipping companies, terminal operators, port authorities and partner government agencies, stressing that the Service is committed to making the Apapa port more efficient and responsive to legitimate trade.”

In a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Isah Sulaiman, the new CAC also declared his administration’s commitment to eliminating avoidable delays in cargo processing, stating that “Unnecessary human delays in cargo processing otherwise known as Non-Tariff Barriers shall not be tolerated henceforth.”

He added that where all requirements had been met, legitimate cargo must be allowed to move without avoidable obstruction, while officers were expected to maintain discipline, professionalism, decorum and courtesy in their dealings with the trading public.

Comptroller Mu’azu acknowledged the record set by his predecessor, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba (Rtd), particularly in revenue generation.

Under Oshoba, the Command recorded a historic monthly collection of ₦323 billion in July 2026 and a single-day collection of ₦28.102 billion on 18 August 2026.

Acknowledging the challenge of sustaining the momentum, Mu’azu stated that, “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’s contributions to enforcement, trade facilitation and the implementation of the Service’s modernisation initiatives, including B’Odogwu, Advance Ruling, the Authorised Economic Operator Programme, One-Stop Shop and Non-Intrusive Inspection technology.

On Advance Ruling, Oshoba had noted in his farewell address that the initiative “provides legitimate traders with greater predictability and clarity on Customs treatment before importation, thereby reducing uncertainty and strengthening confidence in the trading environment.”

In his farewell address, Comptroller Oshoba (Rtd) expressed appreciation to the officers, men and stakeholders of Apapa Area Command for their support throughout his tenure.

He said: “The achievements recorded during my tenure do not belong to one individual. They belong to all of us.” He charged the officers to sustain the standards of the Command, stating that “Discipline must remain our foundation, professionalism our standard and excellence our aspiration.” He also urged them to extend the same support and cooperation to his successor.

In response, Mu’azu urged officers and stakeholders to work collectively towards the continued success of the Command, stressing that “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.”

Mu’azu assured stakeholders of a relationship rooted in fairness, mutual respect, and the national interest.

He also shared his confidence that the Apapa Area Command will continue to lead the way in efficient revenue administration, trade facilitation, and professionalism.