The usually bustling Apapa Port Command wore a new look on Monday, September 8, 2025, as Comptroller Oluwadare Oshoba officially assumed duty as the new Customs Area Controller, pledging to sustain and expand the legacy of excellence left behind by his predecessor, now Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Dr. Babatunde Olomu.
Taking over Nigeria’s premier port—often described as the heartbeat of the nation’s maritime trade—Comptroller Oshoba struck a tone of humility and resolve. “It is with deep humility and a strong sense of duty that I stand before you today to assume the mantle of leadership,” he began, his voice steady before a hall filled with officers, stakeholders, and the press.
The new helmsman wasted no time in outlining his priorities, which he anchored on three pillars: revenue excellence, deepening enforcement, and strengthening stakeholder relations.
> “We will build on the foundation laid by my predecessor to ensure consistent growth in collections through transparency, accountability and efficiency,” Oshoba declared.
“Intelligence will remain at the heart of our operations. We will close gaps, detect concealments, and intercept prohibited goods before they harm our economy and people.”
But beyond figures and enforcement, Oshoba sought to connect with his men and partners in the port community. “Your ideas, your passion, and your expertise are the foundation on which my service here shall be built. I am here to work alongside you—not just as a leader, but as a partner in our shared mission,” he stressed.
He particularly rallied stakeholders around the Service’s ongoing modernization drive, including the indigenous B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System. “The world is changing rapidly, and with change comes opportunities. Together, we will build on the gains of B’Odogwu and push innovation to greater heights,” he said.
Olomu’s farewell was a moment of reflection and celebration. Promoted to the rank of ACG, he recounted a tenure packed with record-breaking milestones and tough battles against smugglers.
“When I assumed duty on 6 May 2024, it was with sleeves rolled up, two hands on deck,” Olomu recalled, his tone tinged with nostalgia. “Together as a team, we confronted odds to excel in revenue collection, anti-smuggling, trade facilitation and robust stakeholder engagement.”
The figures spoke louder than words. Under Olomu’s watch, Apapa Command achieved its first ever ₦2 trillion revenue collection, hit multiple record-breaking daily collections—peaking at ₦18.9 billion in March 2025—and collected a staggering ₦214.9 billion in August alone, despite technical teething issues with the new platform.
“I am glad to inform you that as at today, we have collected a total of ₦1.83 trillion for 2025,” he revealed, drawing nods from officers. “I am optimistic that my successor will build on these achievements to surpass our ₦3 trillion annual target.”
Olomu also highlighted landmark achievements in trade facilitation, including Nigeria’s historic first shipment under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Guided Trade Initiative in July 2024, followed by another to Kenya later that year.
But perhaps his most emphatic point was on enforcement: “Our fight against smuggling was never rhetoric. We proved to smugglers and their collaborators that Apapa Port is a no-go area for illegalities.”
In just 15 months, the command under his watch made 75 seizures ranging from fake and expired medicaments to controlled substances like tramadol and codeine syrup, and contrabands such as Indian hemp and used clothing.
While Olomu bowed out with pride, he made a heartfelt plea to officers and stakeholders: “As Oliver Twist who always asks for more, I am asking that you do more than that for my successor, a distinguished gentleman officer with the capability to take this command to greater heights.”
In a symbolic passing of the baton, the hall rose in applause, acknowledging both the achievements of the outgoing ACG and the promise of the incoming Comptroller.
For Apapa Command, Monday was more than a change of guard. It was a reminder that in the crucible of Nigeria’s busiest port, leadership is not about personal glory but about teamwork, resilience, and an unyielding commitment to the nation’s economic heartbeat.
Oshoba Takes Over Apapa Customs Command, Vows Innovation, Collaboration as Olomu Bows Out in Glory
