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A New Dawn at Apapa Customs as Mu’azu Takes over Leadership
Comptroller Murtala Mu’azu, Customs Area Controller, Apapa Area 1 Command, NCS
Apapa Customs Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is presently looking sharply as it cruised into another new leadership dispensation with Comptroller Murtala Mu’azu, a thoroughbred customs officer of high repute now assumed office as Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the revenue leading command of the NCS.
His choice is unmistakable as the command is expected to maintain its ‘numero uno’ status quo in her mandates of revenue collection, anti-smuggling and Facilitation of trade.
According to the press statement issued by the command’s image maker Chief Superintendent of Customs (CAC) Isah Suleiman, the Comptroller Murtala Mu’azu has formally assumed duty as the 33rd Customs Area Controller (CAC), Apapa Area Command, with a pledge to consolidate the Command’s achievements in revenue generation, trade facilitation, enforcement and institutional discipline.
The statement said, the assumption of office and farewell ceremony, held on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, at the Auditorium of the Apapa Area Command, was attended by heads of security and regulatory agencies, representatives of government agencies, terminal operators, shipping and business stakeholders, customs brokers and other partners of the Command, who delivered goodwill messages to the outgoing and incoming Controllers.
Comptroller Mu’azu in his inaugural address described his appointment as “a great honour and privilege” and expressed appreciation to the Comptroller General of Customs for the confidence reposed in him. “I wish to express my profound appreciation to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR PhD fnipr, psc+ for the confidence reposed in me to lead this very important Command.
“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,” Mu’azu stated
He however said his administration would be guided by the Three (3) strategic pillars of the Comptroller General of Customs namely; consolidation, collaboration and innovation, with particular emphasis on revenue integrity, efficient trade facilitation, professionalism and stakeholder engagement.
On revenue, Comptroller Mu’azu stated that “Every revenue due to government must be properly assessed and collected, and every decision taken by our officers must be capable of standing the test of scrutiny over time, as 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. He also stressed that the Service is committed to making the Apapa port more efficient and responsive to legitimate trade.
Furthermore , the new Apapa customs’ sheriff declared his administration’s commitment to eliminating avoidable delays in cargo processing, as he stated that “Unnecessary human delays in cargo processing otherwise known as Non-Tariff Barriers shall not be tolerated henceforth. He also added that where all requirements had been met, legitimate cargo must be allowed to move without avoidable obstruction, while officers were expected to maintain discipline, professionalism, decorum and courtesy in their dealings with the trading public.
While acknowledging the record set by his predecessor, particularly in revenue generation. Comptroller Mu’azu noted the Command’s historic monthly collection record of ₦323 billion in July 2026 and a single-day collection of ₦28.102 billion on 18 August 2026.
On the challenge of sustaining the present momentum of the command, Mu’azu stated that it is indeed a record to reckon with and strive towards matching the same, as he pointed that It is therefore a Herculean task upon himself and team to match and surpass such a record.”
On the enforcement mandate of the command, Controller Mu’azu as well commended the contributions of his predecessor to enforcement, trade facilitation and the implementation of the Service’s modernisation initiatives, including B’Odogwu, Advance Ruling, the Authorised Economic Operator Programme, One-Stop Shop and Non-Intrusive Inspection technology.
The new Comptroller Mu’azu of Apapa Customs however urged officers and stakeholders to work collectively towards the continued success of the Command, stressing that “The success we seek cannot be achieved by the CAC alone. It requires our collective efforts, operational integrity and willingness to uphold the standards of the Service.” He assured stakeholders of an open and constructive relationship founded on fairness, mutual respect and the national interest, expressing confidence that Apapa Area Command would continue to serve as a model of efficient revenue administration, legitimate trade facilitation and professional conduct.
