Business

01 Oct

No Hiding Place For Smugglers — New Ogun 1 Customs Boss Ibrahim Warns As He Takes Over With N14.7bn Seizures Record

Esther KomolafeBusiness
IDIROKO, OGUN — Sept 30th 2026— There is no hiding place for smugglers and economic saboteurs in Ogun border corridors. This was the warning from the new Acting Customs Area Controller, Ogun 1 Command, Deputy Comptroller A.A. Ibrahim, as he assumed office on Wednesday at Idiroko. Ibrahim, who took over from Deputy Comptroller O.O. Afeni, said strict adherence to professionalism, integrity, discipline and ethical conduct in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, would be his watchword. Describing Afeni’s tenure as a legacy worthy of emulation, he commended him for landmark strides in anti-smuggling, revenue generation and stakeholder collaboration.…
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01 Oct

Afeni Takes Over As Gambo Aliyu Bows Out With N13bn Seizures, N3.1bn Recovery LAGOS, SEPT 30, 2026 — The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone ‘A’, Ikeja-Lagos, has a new Acting Comptroller. Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Olukayode Afeni on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, formally assumed office as the 30th Acting Comptroller of the Unit, taking over from Comptroller Gambo Aliyu who retired after a distinguished service. The handing-over ceremony, held at the Unit’s conference hall, was attended by friends, colleagues and well-wishers, including Acting Customs Area Controllers of PTML, Ogun 1, and Enugu/Ebonyi/Anambra Commands, senior officers and stakeholders. Afeni: Intelligence-Led, Firm But Humane Enforcement In his inaugural address, Acting Comptroller Afeni pledged “purposeful, professional and accountable leadership.” He thanked Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the management team for the confidence reposed in him. Afeni said his administration would pursue intelligence-led enforcement, block revenue leakages, and protect Nigeria’s economic and security interests. “Enforcement will be firm, lawful and respectful of human dignity,” he said, adding that legitimate trade will be facilitated through constructive engagement with traders, manufacturers, importers, exporters, brokers and stakeholders. He called for stronger collaboration with sister security agencies to combat trans-border crimes — drugs, arms, illicit currencies, counterfeit and prohibited goods. He also promised focus on officers’ welfare, professional development, discipline, and regular sporting activities for fitness and work-life balance. Aliyu Bows Out With Big Numbers In his valedictory address, retired Comptroller Gambo Aliyu reflected on his tenure which focused on smuggling, revenue fraud, concealment, under-declaration and false declaration. He reeled out major interceptions — 779 smuggling attempts with total duty-paid value of N13,075,056,616.00: Over 20,900 bags of foreign parboiled rice 61 used vehicles Thousands of used compressors and clothing Foreign poultry products 4,418 jerrycans of vegetable oil 12,606 parcels of cannabis weighing 6,194.3kg 2.30kg of cocaine Over 3,000 jerrycans of PMS (76,505 litres) 22 elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg On revenue recovery, Aliyu reported N3,192,511,547.52 recovered between December 10, 2025 and September 24, 2026 — representing 798%of the Unit’s N400 million annual target for 2026, and a 776%increase over N411,451,901.18 recovered in same period in 2025. He attributed the feat to enhanced risk profiling, stricter compliance checks, targeted introspection into suspicious declarations, teamwork and collaboration. “No enforcement agency can succeed in isolation,” he stressed. Aliyu congratulated his successor, assuring him of a strong operational foundation, and charged him to “lead with fairness, firmness, courage and sound judgment.” He thanked officers for loyalty and discipline and prayed for success of the new leadership and the Service. This press release was signed by the command Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Hussaini Abdullahi for FOU Zone ‘A’, Ikeja-Lagos.

Esther KomolafeBusiness
LAGOS, SEPT 30, 2026 — The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone ‘A’, Ikeja-Lagos, has a new Acting Comptroller. Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Olukayode Afeni on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, formally assumed office as the 30th Acting Comptroller of the Unit, taking over from Comptroller Gambo Aliyu who retired after a distinguished service. The handing-over ceremony, held at the Unit’s conference hall, was attended by friends, colleagues and well-wishers, including Acting Customs Area Controllers of PTML, Ogun 1, and Enugu/Ebonyi/Anambra Commands, senior officers and stakeholders. Afeni: Intelligence-Led, Firm But Humane Enforcement In his inaugural address, Acting Comptroller Afeni pledged…
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29 Sep

Fire Guts Western Marine Customs Command In Lagos — No Casualty, Operations Intact

Esther KomolafeBusiness
LAGOS, SEPT 29, 2026— The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Western Marine Command, has confirmed a fire outbreak at its premises in Apapa, Lagos. The incident, according to a press statement issued by the Command on Monday, September 29, occurred earlier in the day, Monday, September 28, 2026, at about 10:35am. The statement signed by Deputy Superintendent of Customs and Ag. Public Relations Officer, Nwosu Clarine Chibunna, on behalf of the Ag. Customs Area Controller, said the fire was first detected within some offices of the Command, with thick smoke initially noticed emanating from the newly constructed conference hall. *How It…
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29 Sep

At 9, New Experience Newspaper Rallies Nigeria To Move Blue Economy From Talk To Action

Esther KomolafeBusiness
APAPA, LAGOS — SEPT 24, 2026— The New Experience Newspaper marked its 9th anniversary with a loud call for urgent, coordinated action to unlock Nigeria’s vast blue economy as a pathway to a $1 trillion economy, massive job creation and food security. The call was the central resolution at its 5th Annual Lecture and Awards Ceremony held on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos, with the theme: “Blue Economy in Action: Financing, Innovation and Policy for Nigeria’s Maritime Future.” The colourful event drew regulators, operators, financiers, security agencies and media leaders including officials of NIMASA, NPA, SIFAX…
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25 Sep

Nine Years of Truth-Telling: New Experience Publisher Thanks Partners, God As Maritime Newspaper Hits 9

Esther KomolafeBusiness
APAPA, LAGOS — SEPT 24, 2026 — It was a day of profound joy and deep gratitude. Welcoming guests to the 5th edition of The New Experience Newspaper Annual Lecture and Awards, Publisher and CEO, Prince Benson Davies, said September 24, 2026, is not just another event, but history. On behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of The New Experience Newspaper, Davies thanked God Almighty and every stakeholder who kept the faith since the newspaper’s maiden voyage on May 17, 2017. “Today is not just another event on our calendar. Today is history. It marks exactly nine years since…
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25 Sep

Media vs Graft: Anti-Corruption Journalists Seek Alliance With ICPC To Name, Shame Corrupt Practices

Esther KomolafeBusiness
  LAGOS, SEPT 21, 2026— The war against corruption may have just gained a new weapon — the media. Executive members of the Media Anti-Corruption Initiative, MACI, led by its President, Mr. Funso Olojo, on Tuesday paid a courtesy visit to the Lagos Zonal Office of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, to strengthen collaboration against corruption. The visit, which took place on Tuesday, September 21, 2026, was aimed at exploring strategic partnership in tackling corruption and related offences. *We Align With ICPC — MACI* Speaking during the meeting, MACI President, Funso Olojo, said MACI is a non-governmental organization committed…
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24 Sep

N14m To Clear One Container? Stakeholders Say High Charges, Old Ports Are Killing Nigeria’s Competitiveness

Esther KomolafeBusiness
High charges, decaying infrastructure, and manual operations are choking Nigerian ports — and may drive cargo to neighbouring countries. That was the verdict of maritime stakeholders at the 4th MARAN Maritime Annual Lecture, MAMAL 2026, held at the Nigerian Air Force Events Centre, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The lecture, organised by the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria, MARAN, was themed *“Nigerian Ports Modernisation, Charges and the Competitiveness Question.”* Moderating the panel, Mr. Emmanuel Maigunwa said competitiveness is not just about cheaper imports, but about making Nigeria the preferred transit hub for West Africa. “When ports are efficient and…
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17 Sep

N2.4BN BUST AT IDIROKO: Ogun Customs Intercepts 3,893 Wraps of Cannabis, N417m Range Rover

Esther KomolafeBusiness
IDIROKO, OGUN — SEPT 17, 2026 — The Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun I Area Command, has declared Idiroko a “no-go area” for smugglers after intercepting 3,893 parcels of cannabis weighing 1.878 tonnes and a brand new 2026 Range Rover Sport worth N417 million. The Acting Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this on Thursday at the Command headquarters in Idiroko during a press briefing where the seized cannabis was handed over to the NDLEA. Afeni said the seizures were recorded between August and September 2025, with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of  N2,469,153,523.68, “One of the highlights of…
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14 Sep

HEADLINE: “Not Passengers, But Drivers”: Anishere, Ani Push for Stronger Maritime Media, Real Women’s Leadership at MAMAL 2026

Esther KomolafeBusiness
LAGOS, SEPT 10, 2026— As Nigeria pushes to maximize its Blue Economy, two maritime leaders are demanding a double upgrade: a stronger maritime press and real leadership roles for women. Speaking at the 4th Annual Maritime Lecture of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria, MARAN, President of the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria, MAAN, Chief Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN, and President of WISTA Nigeria, Dr. Odunayo Ani, said accountability and inclusion must move from talk to action. "Credible Journalism Builds Confidence" Represented by Mrs Oyeyemi Jimi-Salami, Anishere commended MARAN for its responsible reportage and consistent engagement on industry issues. She…
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12 Sep

HEADLINE: “From Talk to Action”: NEN Gathers Maritime Bigwigs to Unlock Nigeria’s Blue Economy at 5th Annual Lecture

Esther KomolafeBusiness
LAGOS, SEPT 11, 2026* — Nine years of reporting, and now it’s time for action. The New Experience Newspaper (NEN), will mark its 9th anniversary on Thursday, September 24, 2026, with the 5th edition of its Annual Lecture and Awards at the Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos, starting 11:00am prompt. This year’s theme is: “Blue Economy in Action: Financing, Innovation and Policy for Nigeria’s Maritime Future.” According to the organizers, the focus will be on practical steps to unlock investments, drive innovation, and align policies needed for Nigeria to tap the full economic potential of its oceans, ports, and maritime assets.…
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