Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
The newly deployed Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Murtala Mu’azu, has pledged to sustain and surpass the revenue record achieved by his predecessor, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba (Rtd), while tackling avoidable delays in cargo processing at Nigeria’s busiest port.
Mu’azu, who formally assumed duty as the 33rd CAC of Apapa Area Command on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, made the commitment during the assumption-of-office and farewell ceremony held at the command’s auditorium.
Oshoba, under whose leadership the command recorded a historic monthly revenue collection of ₦323 billion in July 2026, also oversaw a single-day collection of ₦28.102 billion on August 18.
Acknowledging the significance of the records, Mu’azu described the task of sustaining and surpassing the achievements as a major challenge 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,” he said.
The new Controller said his administration would focus on revenue integrity, trade facilitation, professionalism and stronger stakeholder engagement, in line with the three strategic pillars of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi — consolidation, collaboration and innovation.
Mu’azu said every revenue due to the government must be properly assessed and collected, adding that decisions taken by customs officers must be capable of withstanding scrutiny.
He also pledged closer cooperation with importers, exporters, licensed customs agents, shipping companies, terminal operators, port authorities and other government agencies to improve the efficiency of operations at Apapa Port.
The new CAC warned that avoidable delays in cargo clearance would no longer be tolerated, particularly where importers and other stakeholders had fulfilled all regulatory requirements.
“Unnecessary human delays in cargo processing otherwise known as Non-Tariff Barriers shall not be tolerated henceforth,” Mu’azu said.
He directed officers to ensure that legitimate cargo was allowed to move once all requirements had been met, while maintaining discipline, professionalism, courtesy and decorum in their dealings with members of the trading public.
Mu’azu commended Oshoba for what he described as his contributions to revenue generation, enforcement, trade facilitation and the implementation of modernisation initiatives at the command.
He specifically acknowledged the implementation of initiatives including B’Odogwu, Advance Ruling, the Authorised Economic Operator Programme, One-Stop Shop and Non-Intrusive Inspection technology.
The new Controller said Advance Ruling had contributed to greater predictability in Customs treatment, while acknowledging its potential to reduce uncertainty and strengthen confidence among legitimate traders.
In his farewell address, Oshoba expressed appreciation to officers, men and stakeholders of the Apapa Area Command for their support during his tenure.
“The achievements recorded during my tenure do not belong to one individual. They belong to all of us,” Oshoba said.
He urged personnel to sustain the standards achieved by the command, stressing that discipline, professionalism and excellence should remain central to their operations.
“Discipline must remain our foundation, professionalism our standard and excellence our aspiration,” he said.
Oshoba also appealed to officers and stakeholders to extend the same cooperation to his successor.
Responding, Mu’azu stressed that the task of sustaining the command’s achievements required collective responsibility.
“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 said.
He assured stakeholders that his administration would maintain an open and constructive relationship based on fairness, mutual respect and the national interest.
The ceremony was attended by heads of security and regulatory agencies, representatives of government agencies, terminal operators, shipping and business stakeholders, customs brokers and other partners of the Apapa Area Command.
Mu’azu formally assumed office as the 33rd Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Area Command following the departure of Oshoba.
About the Author
