Revenue
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, Lagos State generated over N27 billion in revenue between March and October 2026, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, ACG Abdullahi Kaila has said.
Kaila who is the immediate past Customs Area Controller, Seme, said this on Wednesday during the handing-over ceremony to his successor, Deputy Comptroller Olisah Alumanah.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ceremony was held at the ECOWAS Conference Hall, Seme, Lagos State.
Kaila, now an Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, said the revenue represented an increase of about N19 billion compared with the approximately N8 billion collected during the corresponding period in 2025.
He said the performance represented a growth of approximately 233 per cent.
According to him, the improvement resulted from deliberate efforts, professional commitment, intelligence gathering, effective supervision and the collective determination of the command’s workforce.
He dedicated the achievement to officers and other personnel who contributed to the command’s revenue drive.
Kaila also acknowledged the cooperation of stakeholders and members of the business community, whose compliance and engagement contributed to the achievement.
He said beyond revenue generation, his administration prioritised protecting the Nigerian economy from smugglers, economic saboteurs and other criminal elements operating across the borders.
He said the command recorded significant seizures of illicit drugs and prohibited goods during his tenure.
He said the interceptions prevented dangerous and unlawful products from entering the country and threatening public health, national security and citizens’ economic wellbeing.
He attributed the successes to intelligence gathering, proper processing and timely sharing of actionable information.
He also identified cooperation among government and security agencies operating within the border environment as one of the major achievements of his administration.
“As Chairman of the Joint Border Security Committee, I had the privilege of working closely with heads and officers of sister agencies, whose contributions have been invaluable to the achievements recorded by this Command,” he said.
Kaila acknowledged the contributions of the Department of State Services, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police Force and Nigeria Immigration Service.
Others included the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Standards Organisation of Nigeria and Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service.
He also recognised Port Health Services and other government and security institutions operating within the command’s area of responsibility.
He said effective border security and management required trust, communication, intelligence exchange and coordinated action among relevant agencies.
He added that cordial relationships among the agencies contributed to a more peaceful and orderly atmosphere within the command’s area of responsibility.
He appealed to heads and representatives of sister agencies to extend the same cooperation and mutual support to his successor.
Kaila also appreciated traditional rulers, community leaders, traders, transport operators, licensed Customs agents, business associations and other stakeholders.
He said their cooperation and understanding helped the command manage border administration challenges and maintain constructive relationships with the host communities.
He urged Alumanah to sustain existing initiatives, strengthen relationships with sister agencies and pursue the service’s core mandate with professionalism.
He expressed confidence that officers and men of the command would extend the same loyalty, cooperation and support to the new controller.
He said the leadership transition should provide an opportunity to consolidate existing achievements, introduce improvements and deliver better results.
Kaila thanked stakeholders and personnel for making his tenure at Seme meaningful, productive and memorable as he moved to his new responsibility as Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs.
In his remarks, Alumanah pledged to work closely with officers and stakeholders to strengthen existing collaboration and partnerships within the Seme Area Command.
He urged officers to discharge their duties diligently, obey lawful instructions, follow established procedures and avoid actions capable of bringing themselves or the service into disrepute.
Alumanah assured officers that he would support those who performed their duties honestly and professionally but would not shield anyone involved in deliberate misconduct.
He called for teamwork to position the command for more efficient, disciplined, responsive and result-oriented service delivery.
“Let us work together as one team to organise and position Seme Area Command for even more efficient, disciplined, responsive and result-oriented service,” he said. (NAN)
