By our Correspondent
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has reported a sharp rise in revenue, collecting ₦9.8 billion between March and May 2026 — a 448% increase from ₦2.18 billion in the same period last year.
This information was disclosed by the Customs Area Controller, CAC, Comptroller Abdullahi S. Kaila, in a media chat at Seme.
The CAC credited the surge to tighter enforcement, improved compliance monitoring, and deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System.
His words: “Between March and May 2026, the command collected ₦9.798 billion in revenue — a 448% surge compared to ₦2.188 billion in the same period last year. This is attributed to the growth in stronger compliance mechanisms, improved stakeholder cooperation, anti-revenue leakage measures, and the deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System. ”
The CAC emphasized that the command remains committed to sustaining these gains through intelligence-driven monitoring and transparent trade procedures.
Comptroller Kaila, reaffirmed that, “Coordinated patrols and surveillance yielded seizures valued at ₦501.845 million, including 1,000 parcels of cannabis sativa (handed over to NDLEA), large quantities of unregistered pharmaceuticals, including codeine-based syrups and sildenafil citrate (to be transferred to NAFDAC).”
He added, “Also seized were 2,000 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 340 kegs of vegetable oil, 103 kegs of petrol, 993 cartons of foreign spaghetti, 250 bales of used clothing.”
However, Comptroller Kaila warned that the command will not serve as a safe haven for illicit trade. He noted that intelligence networks and surveillance along land and maritime routes have been strengthened.
His words: “As one of Nigeria’s busiest land borders, Seme plays a vital role in ECOWAS and AfCFTA trade integration. The command has intensified engagement with agents, freight forwarders, transport unions, and other stakeholders to simplify clearance procedures and support SMEs in export documentation.”
The CAC commended officers for their discipline and resilience, while thanking stakeholders and host communities for their support and cooperation. He pledged that the command will continue balancing revenue generation, trade facilitation, and border security in line with the reform agenda of Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and the Tinubu administration’s economic priorities.
