The new acting Customs Area Controller in charge of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service, Oladapo Afeni, has assumed duty with a pledge to pursue intelligence-led enforcement, block revenue leakages, and protect Nigeria's economic and security interests. Afeni took over from the immediate past CAC, Gambo Aliyu, who retired after a distinguished tenure. The event was attended by friends, colleagues, and well-wishers of both the incoming and outgoing comptrollers, as well as other senior officers and stakeholders.
Afeni, in his inaugural address, emphasized that his administration would prioritize purposeful, professional, and accountable leadership in furtherance of the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service. He expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in him by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the service's management team. Afeni also assured that enforcement activities would be firm, lawful, and respectful of human dignity, while legitimate trade would be facilitated through constructive engagement with traders, manufacturers, importers, exporters, customs brokers, and other stakeholders.
The acting CAC called for stronger collaboration with sister security and law-enforcement agencies to combat trans-border crimes, including the illicit movement of drugs, arms, currencies, counterfeit goods, and other prohibited items. He also pledged attention to officers' welfare, professional development, institutional discipline, and regular sporting activities to promote fitness, teamwork, and work-life balance. This move is expected to boost the morale of officers and enhance the overall performance of the unit.
Outgoing Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, in his handing-over address, expressed gratitude and humility, marking the occasion as a formal transfer of leadership. Aliyu noted that his administration focused on combating smuggling, revenue fraud, concealment, under-declaration, false declaration, and the movement of prohibited goods. He reported that the unit had made significant seizures, including 779 smuggling attempts involving items such as over 20,900 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 61 used vehicles, and thousands of used compressors and clothing items.
Aliyu highlighted that the unit's seizures had a total duty-paid value of N13.07 billion. He also reported remarkable performance between December 2025 and September 2026, adding that the unit recovered N3.192 billion, representing 798% of its N400 million annual target for 2026 and a 776% increase over the N411 million recovered in the same period in 2025. Aliyu attributed these achievements to enhanced risk profiling, stricter compliance checks, and teamwork.
Aliyu stressed that no enforcement agency can succeed in isolation and welcomed his successor, assuring him of a strong operational foundation. He charged Afeni to lead with fairness, firmness, courage, and sound judgment. Aliyu thanked the officers for their loyalty, discipline, and resilience and prayed for the success of the new leadership, the continued growth of the Nigeria Customs Service, and the security of Nigeria.
The Nigeria Customs Service is expected to continue its efforts to combat smuggling and revenue fraud under Afeni's leadership. With a strong operational foundation and a commitment to intelligence-led enforcement, the service is poised to achieve its goals and protect Nigeria's economic and security interests. Afeni's administration will focus on building on the successes of his predecessor while introducing new strategies to tackle emerging challenges.
Key points
- The new acting CAC, Oladapo Afeni, has pledged to prioritize intelligence-led enforcement and revenue recovery.
- The outgoing Comptroller, Gambo Aliyu, reported significant seizures with a total duty-paid value of N13.07 billion.
- The unit recovered N3.192 billion between December 2025 and September 2026, representing 798% of its annual target.
