- The Controller, Apapa Area Command, Compt. Murtala Mu’azu (right), and his predecessor, Compt. Emmanuel Oshoba (rtd), during the handover and assumption of duty ceremony at the command in Lagos on Tuesday
By Anthony Nwachukwu
Towards improving trade facilitation and revenue collection, the 33rd Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Area Command, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Compt. Murtala Mu’azu, has vowed that “unnecessary human delays in cargo processing, otherwise known as non-tariff barriers, shall not be tolerated henceforth.”
He insisted that where all requirements have been met, legitimate cargo must be allowed to move without avoidable obstruction, while officers are expected to maintain discipline, professionalism, decorum and courtesy in their dealings with the trading public.
Compt. Mu’azu, who spoke at the command on Tuesday as he assumed duty following Compt. Emmanuel Oshoba’s retirement from the service and the area command, pledged to consolidate the command’s feats in revenue generation, trade facilitation, enforcement and institutional discipline.
Describing his appointment as “a great honour and privilege,” Mu’azu thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs for the confidence reposed in him “to lead this very important command,” according to Customs Public Relations Officer, CSC Isah Sulaiman.
“I accept this responsibility with a deep sense of duty and a firm commitment to the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service and the economic interest of our dear nation.”
Setting forth, the new controller said his administration would be guided by the CGC’s three strategic pillars -consolidation, collaboration and innovation – with particular emphasis on revenue integrity, efficient trade facilitation, professionalism and stakeholder engagement.
On revenue, Mu’azu insisted that “every revenue due to government must be properly assessed and collected,” while every decision by the 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 towards making the Apapa Port more efficient and responsive to legitimate trade.
Commending his predecessor’s record, particularly in revenue generation, during which the command recorded a historic monthly collection of ₦323 billion in July 2026 and a single-day collection of ₦28.102 billion on August 18, 2026, Mu’azu said Oshoba left behind “a record to reckon with,” adding that he would strive towards matching, and subsequently surpassing the same.
He commended Oshoba’s contributions to enforcement, trade facilitation and the implementation of the NCS’ modernisation initiatives, including B’Odogwu, Advance Ruling, the Authorised Economic Operator Programme, One-Stop Shop and Non-Intrusive Inspection technology.
Earlier in his farewell message, Compt. Oshoba (rtd) emphasised that Advance Ruling “provides legitimate traders with greater predictability and clarity on customs’ treatment before importation, thereby reducing uncertainty and strengthening confidence in the trading environment.”
He commended the officers, men, and stakeholders of the Apapa Area Command for their support, saying his record achievements “belong to all of us.” He further charged them to sustain the command’s standards, stating that “discipline must remain our foundation, professionalism our standard and excellence our aspiration.”
Mu’azu urged officers and stakeholders to work collectively toward the command’s continued success, stressing that success requires collective effort, operational integrity, and a willingness to uphold the service’s standards.
He further assured stakeholders of an open and constructive relationship founded on fairness, mutual respect and national interest, expressing confidence that the command would continue to serve as a model of efficient revenue administration, legitimate trade facilitation and professional conduct.
