The Seme area command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it generated the sum of ₦15,598,945,794.00 in revenue in 2025, being its highest-ever annual collection since inception.

Tunde Ayagbalo, the public relations officer (PRO) of the command, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Seme.

“In December 2025, the command generated a historic ₦3,628,485,590, the highest monthly revenue on record.

“This record is attributed to the effective rollout of the One-Stop Shop (OSS) initiative by the Comptroller-General of Customs, which improved the command’s coordination and trade facilitation for stakeholders.

“From Jan. to December 2025, the command generated the total of ₦15,598,945,794.00 only, marking a remarkable 117 per cent increase over the ₦7,166,576,397.49 recorded in 2024,” he said.

Mr Ayagbalo said that on November 11, the command hosted the launch of the Green Border Initiative by the national president of the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), Kikelomo Adeniyi.

“This featured an empowerment programme where industrial sewing machines, grinding machines, gas burners with cylinders and start-up grants were distributed to members of COWA Seme Chapter.

“On the same day, the Comptroller-General of Customs, launched a free medical outreach under the Customs Cares Initiative.

“The outreach delivered essential healthcare to over 1,000 beneficiaries, alongside a tree-planting exercise for environmental sustainability,” he said.

He said that the Seme Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, had successfully reduced checkpoints along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor to the two (2) locations approved by the federal government.

Mr Ayagbalo said that the reduced checkpoints was in alignment with the comptroller-general’s directive.

According to him, this significantly eased legitimate trade, minimised delays and contributed to the command’s outstanding revenue performance.

He noted that the command also maintained robust anti-smuggling operations, seizing 685 parcels of cannabis sativa (Marijuana), 495 packs of tramadol in December 2025.

“Others are 2,000 packs of Super Power Sildenafil tablets (300mg), an excessively high-dosage sexual enhancement drug, through intelligence-led operations, enhanced patrols, risk profiling and inter-agency collaboration,” he said.

The Seme customs spokesman quoted Mr Adenuga as having warned smugglers that the borders are no longer safe for illicit activities.

“With advanced intelligence, technology and unwavering vigilance, the officers and men of the command will intercept and prosecute offenders.

“So, smugglers should desist immediately or face the full weight of the law,” he said.

He added that Mr Adenuga assured legitimate traders and compliant stakeholders of a safe, conducive and efficiently facilitated Seme corridor.

Mr Ayagbalo quoted Mr Adenuga further as saying that the corridor now has seamless processes and reduced delays to support genuine cross-border commerce and economic growth. 

(NAN)