Mu’azu assumes duty as Apapa customs controller, pledges consolidation
Lagos, Sept. 29, 2026, Comptroller Murtala Mu’azu, has assumed duty as 33rd Customs Area Controller of Apapa Area Command, pledging to consolidate achievements in revenue generation, trade facilitation, enforcement and institutional discipline.
The Customs Public Relations Officer of the command, Isah Sulaimon, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.
Sulaimon said that the assumption and farewell attracted heads of security agencies, regulators, terminal operators, shipping firms, customs brokers and stakeholders delivering goodwill messages.
In his address, Mu’azu described the appointment as a great honour and privilege, expressing profound appreciation to the Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi for the confidence reposed in him to lead one of the important command.
“I accept this responsibility with deep sense of duty and firm commitment to mandate of Nigeria Customs Service and economic interest of our dear nation Nigeria,” he declared.
He said his administration would be guided by Comptroller-General’s three strategic pillars of consolidation, collaboration and innovation with emphasis on revenue integrity, facilitation, professionalism and stakeholder engagement.
On revenue, Mu’azu declared every revenue due to government would be properly assessed and collected, stressing that every decision taken by officers would withstand test of scrutiny over time always.
He assured stakeholders that the command would deepen collaboration with importers, exporters, licensed customs agents, shipping companies, terminal operators, port authorities and partner government agencies to make port efficient.
Mu’azu vowed to eliminate avoidable delays in cargo processing, declaring unnecessary human delays in cargo processing otherwise known as Non-Tariff Barriers shall not be tolerated henceforth at Apapa.
He added that where all requirements have been met, legitimate cargo should be allowed to move without avoidable obstruction, while officers should maintain discipline, professionalism, decorum and courtesy towards public.
Mu’azu acknowledged predecessor Emmanuel Oshoba’s record, particularly historic monthly collection of ₦323 billion in July 2026 and single-day collection of ₦28.102 billion recorded on August 18.
“This is indeed a record to reckon with and strive towards matching same. It is therefore Herculean task upon myself and team to match and surpass such record,” he said.
He commended Oshoba’s contributions to enforcement, facilitation and modernisation initiatives including B’Odogwu, Advance Ruling, Authorised Economic Operator Programme, One-Stop Shop and Non-Intrusive Inspection technology deployment.
In farewell message, Comptroller Oshoba who retired from the service thanked officers, men and stakeholders for their support, saying that achievements belonged to all, urging discipline as foundation, professionalism as standard and excellence as aspiration.