Oshoba Assumes Duty as New Apapa Customs Controller, as Olomu Bows out with Record-Breaking Legacy
By Ranmilowo Ojalumo -The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday, September 8, 2025, witnessed a historic transition at its Apapa Area Command, as Comptroller Oluwadare Oshoba officially assumed duty as the new Customs Area Controller, succeeding Dr. Babatunde Olomu, who has been promoted to the rank of Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs.
In his farewell address, Dr. Olomu reflected on his 15-month tenure, describing it as a period of challenges, innovations, and unprecedented accomplishments. He highlighted the command’s landmark achievement of surpassing ₦2 trillion revenue collection for the first time in history, alongside record-breaking single-day collections of ₦17.9 billion in June 2024, ₦18.2 billion in October 2024, and ₦18.9 billion in March 2025.
“As at today, we have collected ₦1.83 trillion in 2025 alone, representing 60 percent of our annual target. I am optimistic that my successor will surpass the ₦3 trillion revenue goal,” he declared.
Beyond revenue, Olomu listed significant milestones, including Apapa’s facilitation of Nigeria’s first African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) shipment in July 2024, followed by another milestone shipment to Kenya in November 2024. The command also intensified its anti-smuggling drive, recording 75 seizures of fake, expired, and substandard goods, including drugs such as tramadol and codeine, over his tenure.
He thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, sister security agencies, stakeholders, and the media for their support, urging them to give even greater cooperation to his successor.
Taking over, Comptroller Oshoba commended Olomu’s “historic” tenure, promising to consolidate on his predecessor’s legacy of excellence. He outlined his leadership vision anchored on three pillars: revenue excellence, deepening enforcement and security, and strengthening stakeholder relations.
“We will build on the gains of my predecessor to ensure consistent growth in collections through transparency, accountability, and efficiency,” Oshoba said. “Intelligence will remain at the heart of our operations, and we will strengthen trust with importers, exporters, clearing agents, and shipping companies.”
He emphasized the Service’s ongoing ICT modernization, pledging to maximize the potential of the indigenous B’Odogwu platform and push the Unified Customs Management System to greater heights.
Highlighting Nigeria’s recent leadership role at the World Customs Organization, Oshoba stressed the need for Apapa Command to set a global example in compliance and trade facilitation.
“No one succeeds alone,” he added. “Together, we will consolidate the gains, embrace innovation, and write the next chapter of legacy for Apapa Command and the Nigeria Customs Service at large.”
