LAGOS — OCT 1, 2026*— The Nigeria Customs Service, Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, has a new Acting Controller.
Deputy Comptroller Olufemi Kukoyi on Wednesday, September 30, assumed duty, succeeding Comptroller Hauwa Abubakar who retired after 35 years of meritorious service.
The formal handover was confirmed in a statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Abdullahi-Lagos Abiola.
Kukoyi: We Will Go Tech-Driven, Trade-Friendly
In his maiden address, Kukoyi commended his predecessor for her record on revenue, enforcement, trade facilitation and stakeholder management, saying he would build on those foundations and align with the Comptroller-General’s policy thrust of consolidation, collaboration and innovation.
He said the Command will emphasise technology-driven operations in line with Federal Government’s ease-of-doing-business agenda.
Kukoyi identified the National Single Window Project, the One-Stop-Shop post-clearance mechanism and the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System as critical tools for cutting clearance delays and strengthening revenue assurance.
He pledged closer engagement with stakeholders and sister agencies, and charged officers to uphold integrity, discipline and professionalism, stressing the Command’s core mandates remain revenue generation, facilitation of legitimate trade, and support for national security and economic development.
*Hauwa Bows Out With N557bn Scorecard*
In her valedictory, Mrs. Abubakar disclosed the Command generated *N557,020,127,999.18* between January and August 2026 — a feat she attributed to professionalism, teamwork and discipline among officers and stakeholders.
She thanked CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and Service management for opportunity to serve, and appreciated officers, NEPZA, free zone operators, Lekki Port, Lekki Freeport Terminal, sister security and regulatory agencies, customs brokers, traditional institutions and host communities for cooperation on operations, security and trade facilitation.
“While office holders change, the Service’s objectives do not,” she said, urging officers and stakeholders to give her successor same cooperation.
She wished Kukoyi a successful tenure, while the Command wished her a peaceful retirement.
