The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has achieved a historic milestone, generating N28.1 billion in revenue in a single day. This figure, announced on August 23, 2026, represents the highest daily collection ever recorded by the command, surpassing its monthly revenue target and underscoring the effectiveness of recent trade facilitation reforms.
Record-Breaking Daily Collection
According to a statement from the command's Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abubakar Usman, the N28.1 billion collection was recorded on August 22, 2026. This amount exceeds the command's daily average and marks a significant leap from previous daily collections, which typically ranged between N15 billion and N20 billion.
The command attributed the surge to enhanced cargo clearance processes, improved stakeholder compliance, and the deployment of advanced scanning technology at the Apapa port. These measures have reduced cargo dwell time and increased throughput, directly boosting revenue.
Impact on National Revenue
The single-day collection has pushed the command's total revenue for August 2026 to over N200 billion, well ahead of its monthly target of N180 billion. This performance is expected to contribute significantly to the federal government's non-oil revenue, which has been a key focus amid fluctuating oil prices.
Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Oluwole, praised the officers and stakeholders for their dedication. "This achievement is a testament to our collective commitment to trade facilitation and revenue generation. We will sustain this momentum," he said.
Trade Facilitation and Future Outlook
The command has also implemented a 24-hour cargo clearance policy and expanded the use of the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS II). These initiatives have not only increased revenue but also improved the ease of doing business at Nigeria's busiest port.
Industry analysts note that sustained daily collections above N25 billion could help the NCS exceed its annual revenue target of N5 trillion for 2026. The Apapa Command alone has already contributed over N1.2 trillion in the first eight months of the year, positioning it as a major revenue driver.
The command plans to intensify anti-smuggling operations and further digitize processes to maintain this performance. With the ongoing modernization of port infrastructure, stakeholders expect revenue growth to continue, supporting national economic stability.
