Apapa Customs earns N302bn in October, up 7.13% from September

Apapa Customs posts record‑breaking October revenue

The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service announced on 5 November 2026 that it had collected ₦302,952,570,769.24 in October 2026. The figure represents a rise of ₦20,161,430,521.84 from the ₦282,791,140,247.40 collected in September, a month‑on‑month growth of roughly 7.13 per cent.

The October haul is the third time the command has exceeded the ₦300bn threshold, following a record collection of over ₦323bn in July 2026. The achievement was highlighted in statements signed by the command’s spokesman, Isah Sulaiman.

Background

The Apapa Area Command is one of the key revenue‑generating units of the Nigeria Customs Service, responsible for customs operations at the Port of Apapa, Lagos. In September 2026, the command recorded a revenue of ₦282.79bn. The increase in October came after the appointment of Murtala Mu’azu as Customs Area Controller on 29 September 2026.

Under Mu’azu’s leadership, the command has focused on stakeholder engagement, operational efficiency and improved service delivery. The priorities match the policy direction set by the Comptroller‑General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who stresses consolidation, collaboration and innovation.

On 5 October 2026 a stakeholder engagement meeting was convened, gathering importers, exporters, licensed customs agents, shipping companies and terminal operators. The meeting addressed operational challenges such as demand notice delays and cargo clearance bottlenecks that affect port users. The command has also made courtesy visits to key stakeholders and strategic partners in the port community to reinforce institutional ties.

Why it matters

The revenue figures show the command’s ongoing effort to boost income while supporting legitimate trade. The 7.13 per cent month‑on‑month growth indicates that the command’s initiatives to improve operational efficiency are yielding measurable results.

The performance also reflects the command’s commitment to trade facilitation. By reviewing and streamlining the processing of transire, the command aims to eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic bottlenecks, improve inter‑departmental coordination and reduce processing time, while retaining necessary compliance and control measures. These measures are intended to prevent traders from suffering avoidable administrative delays and hardship.

The record collections contribute to national revenue and support the government’s fiscal objectives. They also signal to investors and traders that the Apapa port is a conducive environment for legitimate trade.

What happens next

The command has not announced specific future targets or dates beyond the ongoing efforts to review and streamline transire processing. The focus remains on maintaining efficient service delivery and fostering collaboration with stakeholders to sustain and potentially increase revenue generation.