By Raji Rasak

The Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) generated N3.5 billion in revenue between January and May.

The Controller of the command, Dr Benedict Oramalugo, disclosed this during a working visit of the Zonal Coordinator of the NCS, Zone A, ACG Charles Orbih to the command.

The controller also highlighted anti-smuggling efforts that resulted in seizures worth ₦889 million.

He said they included the interception of expired pharmaceuticals, marijuana and corrosive mercury, which were handed over to the relevant security agencies for further investigation.

Oramalugo, however, acknowledged several challenges facing the command, which he listed as seven years power outage, poor road infrastructure, non-functional scanning equipment, and border porosity.

He emphasised ongoing advocacy for infrastructure upgrades, deployment of modern surveillance tools, and deeper collaboration with sister security agencies and local communities to address these concerns.

In his remarks, Orbih lauded the leadership of the command for initiatives such as renovation of the Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA) building, upgrading of the sports complex, and the recent commissioning of the officers’ mess.

He described the projects as symbolic of the command’s alignment with the vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who had anchored the service’s transformation agenda on Consolidation, Collaboration, and Innovation.

Orbih highlighted the zone’s impressive contributions to national revenue, noting that the zone accounted for 79.8 per cent of the NCS’s ₦1.3 trillion revenue collection in the first quarter of 2025.

He also reaffirmed the service’s modernisation journey through initiatives such as the Advance Ruling System, Authorised Economic Operators programme, and B’Odogwu platform, the indigenous Customs Clearance system.

Orbih noted that the service’s operational strategy for 2025 is guided by seven strategic focus areas, including trade modernisation, enhanced risk management and operationalisation of the NCS university.

“Others are strengthening international partnerships under the AfCFTA framework, implementation of a robust Corporate Social Responsibility strategy and promotion of open governance through increased transparency framework and stakeholder engagement.

“These initiatives are already producing commendable outcomes,” he said.

Orbih charged officers and men of the command to continue upholding professionalism, integrity, and innovation, stressing that the bar had been raised for Zone A.

“As we move forward, the bar has been set higher for Zone ‘A’.

“Our previous achievements, impressive as they were, should serve as stepping stones rather than resting points.

“We must leverage our strategic importance to push beyond these accomplishments, innovating and adapting to meet the evolving demands of our nation’s economy and security needs,” he said.

The ACG expressed confidence in the ability of the command and other units under the zone to not only sustain but surpass current achievements in service to the nation. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chioma Ugboma