The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, recorded its highest revenue performance since inception in 2025, generating N15.6 billion as tighter border controls, improved trade facilitation and sustained enforcement boosted collections at the busy land border.
Customs said the Command achieved a historic monthly collection of N3.63 billion in December 2025, the highest ever recorded at Seme. The performance was attributed mainly to the effective implementation of the One-Stop Shop (OSS) initiative introduced by the Comptroller-General of Customs, which has strengthened inter-agency coordination and eased the movement of legitimate trade along the Lagos–Abidjan corridor.
For the full year ended December 2025, revenue rose to N15.6 billion, representing a 117 percent increase over the N7.17 billion recorded in 2024, highlighting a sharp turnaround in collections at one of Nigeria’s most strategic border posts.
Alongside revenue growth, the Command sustained robust anti-smuggling operations. In December 2025 alone, Customs officers seized 685 parcels of cannabis sativa, 495 packs of tramadol and 2,000 packs of Super Power Sildenafil tablets, an unapproved high-dosage sexual enhancement drug. The Service said the seizures followed intelligence-led operations, enhanced patrols, risk profiling and close collaboration with sister security agencies.
Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, warned that the Seme border has become increasingly hostile to smugglers, noting that the Command is leveraging advanced intelligence, technology and constant surveillance to intercept and prosecute offenders. He urged those involved in illicit activities to desist or face the full weight of the law.
In line with directives from the Comptroller-General of Customs, the Command also reduced checkpoints along the Lagos–Abidjan highway to the two locations approved by the Federal Government. According to Customs, the measure has eased cargo movement, reduced delays for traders and contributed to improved trade efficiency and revenue performance.
Beyond enforcement and revenue collection, the Seme Area Command expanded its community engagement and social intervention programmes during the year. In November 2025, it hosted the launch of the Green Border Initiative by the National President of the Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA), Mrs Kikelomo Adeniyi. The event featured an empowerment programme that distributed industrial sewing machines, grinding machines, gas burners and start-up grants to beneficiaries within the border community.
On the same day, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, launched a free medical outreach under the Customs Cares Initiative, delivering essential healthcare services to more than 1,000 residents, alongside a tree-planting exercise aimed at promoting environmental sustainability.
Adenuga assured compliant traders and stakeholders of a safer, more conducive and efficiently managed Seme corridor, stressing that Customs remains committed to facilitating legitimate cross-border trade and supporting economic growth.
He expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General and Customs management for their support and leadership, as he commended officers of the Command, sister agencies, security forces, traditional rulers, host communities and the media for their cooperation.
The Command, he said, is targeting even stronger operational and revenue performance in 2026.
