The newly appointed acting head of a key customs command in Nigeria’s commercial hub, Lagos, has pledged a zero-tolerance approach to corruption, revenue leakages, and smuggling as he formally took office.
Deputy Comptroller Femi Akanni assumed leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) Area Command on Tuesday, replacing Bolaji Lukman Adigun, who has been redeployed to the Onne port complex in southern Rivers State.
Speaking to reporters following a handover ceremony in the Apapa district of Lagos, Mr. Akanni said his administration would focus on transparent revenue collection, smoother clearance for legitimate cargo, and strict enforcement against contraband.”The command will not serve as a channel for the importation of illicit drugs, arms, ammunition, or any other items capable of threatening public health and national security,” he warned. To curb revenue losses, Mr. Akanni said officers would intensify physical cargo inspections to ensure imported goods match official declarations, while using post-clearance audits to recover unpaid duties. He also urged personnel to set aside personal grievances and act fairly when dealing with importers and clearing agents.
Mr. Akanni takes over a command that has recently posted record financial returns.
In his farewell remarks, his predecessor, Mr. Adigun, revealed that cumulative revenue at the terminal had reached 131.5 billion naira ($97.6m; £76.5m). He noted that the command recorded its highest-ever monthly haul in June 2026, generating 19.4 billion naira ($14.4m)—a 35% jump compared with the same month in 2025. Mr Adigun also highlighted recent enforcement efforts, including the seizure of a 40-foot shipping container loaded with expired disposable goods valued at 89 million naira ($66,000).
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, relies heavily on customs duties as a vital source of non-oil government revenue, even as authorities grapple with persistent smuggling and congestion across its busy maritime ports.
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