By Tunde Ojudun
The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has reported a remarkable revenue boost, generating ₦3,480,970,924.67 in February 2026 — with the month still ongoing. This figure marks a dramatic rise compared to the ₦743,698,652.16 recorded in February 2025.
Comptroller Wale Adenuga, who represented Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, PhD, disclosed the figures during a stakeholders’ engagement session organized by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Agricultural Trade Programme, and GIZ International. The event, themed “Empowering Cross-Border Traders through Trade Information Desk for Agricultural Traders”, was held in Badagry on Wednesday, 25 February 2026.
Adenuga attributed the revenue surge to improved trade facilitation processes and growing confidence in the Seme–Krake corridor. He emphasized that the reduction of checkpoints along the Seme–Gbaji axis — now limited to Agbara and Gbaji — has eased movement and strengthened trust among traders.
Beyond revenue generation, the Command continues to prioritize border security. Adenuga highlighted major seizures, including a Toyota Highlander conveying 22 packages of cocaine worth over ₦1 billion, 1,000 bags of 50kg parboiled rice confiscated in February alone, and decline in crime rates along the corridor, credited to monthly joint border security meetings that enhance intelligence sharing and inter-agency cooperation.
The Customs Area Controller reaffirmed the Command’s dedication to balancing trade facilitation with enforcement, assuring traders, farmers, and stakeholders of continued vigilance. He stressed that collaboration with sister agencies and regional partners remains central to sustaining momentum in both trade and security along the Lagos–Abidjan corridor.