From January to May, the Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) brought in a total of N3.5 billion.
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This information was shared by Dr. Benedict Oramalugo, the command’s controller, during a working visit to the command by ACG Charles Orbih, the Zonal Coordinator of NCS, Zone A.
Oramalugo claims that the command cleared 220,300 metric tonnes of export goods worth N47 billion without paying for them. Seizures totalling N889 million were a direct outcome of the controller’s anti-smuggling initiatives.
The interception of marijuana, corrosive mercury, and expired pharmaceuticals were among the items he mentioned; these were subsequently turned over to the appropriate security agencies for additional investigation, he added.
But Oramalugo did admit that the command was up against a number of obstacles, including a seven-year power outage, inadequate road infrastructure, scanning equipment that wasn’t working, and border porosity.
To tackle these issues, he stressed the need of continuously pushing for infrastructure upgrades, implementing modern surveillance tools, and working more closely with sister security agencies and local communities.
Orbih praised the command’s leadership for projects including the officers’ mess, the reconstruction of the COWA building, the upgrade of the sports complex, and the Customs Officers’ Wives Association, among others, in his remarks.
The projects, he said, were emblematic of the command’s commitment to the goals set out by Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of Customs, who had established a transformation agenda for the service based on cooperation, innovation, and consolidation.
Orbih brought attention to the zone’s substantial financial contributions to the country, mentioning that in the first quarter of 2025, the zone was responsible for 79.8 percent of Customs’ N1.3 trillion revenue collection.
Additionally, he underlined the service’s commitment to modernisation through programs including the Authorised Economic Operators program, the B’Odogwu platform, and the indigenous Customs Clearance system.
According to Orbih, seven strategic emphasis areas will direct the service’s operational plan for 2025. These categories include modernising trade, improving risk management, and making the NCS University operational.
Other priorities include bolstering international relationships within the AfCFTA framework, establishing a strong CSR strategy, and encouraging open governance via a framework of improved transparency and stakeholder participation.
The results of these efforts are impressive, he added.
Orbih admonished the Command’s officers and men to maintain a high standard of professionalism, integrity, and innovation, emphasising that the standard had been elevated for Zone A.
Zone A now has a higher standard to meet going forward. Rather than being a source of pride, we should view our past accomplishments as stepping stones.
The speaker emphasised the need to continue innovating and adapting in order to meet the changing demands of the nation’s economy and security. He urged the nation to use its strategic importance to go beyond its current achievements.
The ACG has full faith in the command and other units under the zone to continue and even exceed their present record of national service accomplishments.