Over N1.8 trillion was collected in the first 10 months of 2024, according to the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) Apapa Area One Command. This represents a 101% increase over the N931 billion collected in the same time in 2023.

October’s collection of N264.4 billion was the greatest monthly collection in the command’s history.

Dr. Babatunde Olomu, the Command’s Area Comptroller, told reporters in Lagos that he is hopeful the command will surpass its N2.2 trillion revenue goal for 2024.

Six containers of expired prescription products were also seized by the command and turned over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

“This command has blocked revenue leakages and maximised collection,” Olumu stated, despite a discernible drop in transaction volume. “We produced N1.875 trillion from January to October 2024, which is 101% more than the amount from the previous year.”

Olomu went on to emphasise the Apapa Command’s dedication to efficiency by stating that it has adopted trade facilitation technologies including Advanced Ruling and the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) program. In keeping with the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business strategy, the command also works on weekends to speed up cargo delivery.

In keeping with its mission to promote intra-African trade, the command recently facilitated the first transport of cargo to Kenya under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) system.

Six containers of unwholesome and fraudulently reported pharmaceutical products will be sent to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the NDLEA, Olomu said, demonstrating the strong cooperation with sister agencies. In addition to posing health hazards, these products contravene Nigeria’s Common External Tariff (CET) Schedule 3 and Section 233 of the NCS Act 2023. These include unapproved dosages of tramadol and cough syrups containing codeine.