Esther Komolafe

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has made a significant stride in giving back to the community by renovating and commissioning Christ Assembly Nursery and Primary School in Olodi Apapa, Lagos State. This initiative is part of the NCS's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, showcasing the service's commitment to improving learning conditions and supporting education. School Renovation:  The school was in a dilapidated state before the NCS intervention. The renovation reflects the service's belief in the potential of the pupils and commitment to quality education. Adoption of School: Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, announced that the NCS has adopted…

The Nigeria Customs Service has handed over 25 containers of seized pharmaceutical products worth N9.2 billion to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The seized products include unregistered medications, counterfeit drugs and codeine-based preparations that pose a significant threat to public health. Seized Products Unregistered Pharmaceuticals: The containers held various unregistered pharmaceutical products, including sexual enhancement drugs like REDSUN and HYEGRA sildenafil citrate products, codeine-containing cough syrups and antibiotic injections. Expired Food Products: Expired food items such as margarine and chocolate were also among the seized products. Fake NAFDAC Registration Numbers: Some of the products…

With the commencement of international transhipment services to ports in Togo, Benin Republic, Abidjan, and Ghana, the $1.5 billion Lekki Deep Seaport has established Nigeria as a prominent maritime hub in the West and Central African region. Having begun commercial operations in 2023, the port is now focused on increasing its throughput, aiming to reach 500,000 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) by the end of 2025, up from 287,000 TEUs handled in 2024 . Transhipment Operations: The port is actively targeting additional transhipment opportunities with several West African nations, with current operations gaining momentum, particularly to neighboring and landlocked countries. Cargo…

The Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) is set to host its 3rd Annual Maritime Lecture (MAMAL) on August 28, 2025, at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, to expose the ongoing international fraud perpetuated by foreign shipping lines under the guise of "War Risk Premiums" on vessels calling at Nigerian ports. The Burden of War Risk Insurance MARAN has condemned the war risk insurance, describing it as an international fraud burdening Nigeria's economy and other developing countries in the Gulf of Guinea. The association revealed that extra war risk insurance levied on Nigerian-bound vessels varies significantly, with .…

The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has expressed confidence in the technological capabilities of indigenous engineers to carry out shipbuilding and repairs locally. During an inspection visit to Nigerdock at Snake Island Integrated Free Zone in Lagos, Dr. Mobereola assessed the ongoing maintenance work on the DB Lagos, a special mission vessel used for maritime surveillance and national security operations. Local Capacity Development: Dr. Mobereola emphasized that the project demonstrates Nigeria's ability to handle sophisticated ship repairs and construction, aligning with the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy's vision to develop local…

The Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has made a significant seizure of 2,693 parcels of cannabis sativa, weighing 1,450 kilograms, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N172,920,000. The illicit drugs were concealed in a fabricated compartment, known as a false bottom, of a Mercedes-Benz truck intercepted in Ilaro, Yewa South area of Ogun State. Key Details of the Seizure: Weight and Value: 1,450kg of cannabis sativa worth N172.9 million Concealment Method: Fabricated compartment in a Mercedes-Benz truck Driver: William Asare, a 39-year-old Nigerian resident of Ibadan, Oyo State Handing Over:  The seized drugs and…

The Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a remarkable revenue collection of N747,079,233,259.91 for the first half of 2025, representing a 29.85% increase from N575,359,447,011.23 collected in the same period of 2024. This impressive feat translates to a surplus of N171,719,786,247.68 and a 98.03% achievement of the command's expected revenue target for the period. Monthly Revenue Breakdown: January 2025: N116.41 billion (vs N88.43 billion in January 2024) February 2025: N103.25 billion (vs N100.25 billion in February 2024) March 2025: N128.27 billion (vs N115.11 billion in March 2024) April 2025: N145.02 billion (vs N95.70…

The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has achieved a remarkable 35% increase in revenue collection, reaching ₦1.378 trillion in the first half of 2025. This impressive feat is attributed to the diligent efforts of officers, improved stakeholders' compliance, and strategic leadership of Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. According to Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, the Command's Area Controller, the revenue collection milestone was made possible by plugging leakages through effective demand notices and leveraging technology, including the new B’Odogwu digital platform. This platform enables the first-ever use of Single Goods Declaration (SGD) to streamline cargo clearance, reduce congestion, and deepen…

The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has achieved a remarkable milestone, collecting N1.378 trillion in revenue between January and June 2025. Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Command, attributed the impressive revenue figure to strategic partnerships with key industry stakeholders. During a courtesy visit to the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) headquarters in Lagos, Olomu commended the association for its unwavering support towards the reform agenda of the Comptroller-General of Customs. He emphasized the crucial role stakeholder collaboration plays in the ongoing Customs modernization drive, highlighting initiatives like the B’Odogwu platform.…

In a heartwarming display of solidarity and admiration, Chief Dr. Osita Chukwu has extended his warmest congratulations to Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on his remarkable achievement as the newly elected Chairman of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council. This prestigious appointment is a testament to CGC Adeniyi's exceptional leadership and dedication to promoting excellence in customs administration. A Leader of Unwavering Commitment Chief Dr. Osita  praised CGC Adeniyi's unwavering commitment to modernizing the Nigeria Customs Service, highlighting his tireless efforts to enhance revenue generation, promote trade facilitation, and improve the overall efficiency of the service. His leadership has…