– Comptroller Yahaya pledges enhanced trade facilitation
Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — The Ibeto Seaport and Terminals Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Port Harcourt, has generated ₦12.38 billion in revenue within its first six months of full operations, marking a strong debut for the newly established Command.
According to a press release signed on 27 January 2026 by the Command Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Tangwa Emmanuel, on behalf of the Customs Area Controller, CAC, Comptroller Usman Yahaya, the revenue was collected between July and December 2025.
The release disclosed that the Command recorded a total collection of ₦12,382,397,531.62 during the review period, a development described by the CAC as a bold and promising start driven by deliberate reforms, institutional discipline and a clear operational focus aligned with national economic objectives.
“This performance represents a bold and promising start for the Ibeto Seaport and Terminals Command. It reflects deliberate reforms, institutional discipline and our clear operational focus in line with national economic objectives,” the CAC said.
Comptroller Yahaya attributed the achievement to the leadership and policy direction of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, as well as the effective deployment of the Unified Customs Management System, UCMS, also known as B’Odogwu. He noted that the home-grown digital platform has significantly improved transparency, efficiency and accountability in cargo clearance and revenue collection.
“With the effective deployment of the B’Odogwu system, we have enhanced transparency and efficiency in our operations. As we move into 2026, our priority remains deepening trade facilitation while ensuring strict compliance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and other extant regulations,” Yahaya added.
He commended compliant port users and Command officers for their professionalism and dedication, while assuring staff of a conducive working environment that promotes productivity and ethical conduct. The CAC also urged importers, exporters, freight forwarders, and licensed customs agents to operate strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and other extant regulations.
The CAC further stated that the Command remains guided by the Comptroller-General’s tripod policy thrust of collaboration, consolidation, and innovation, which it said will continue to shape stakeholder engagement and drive sustainable revenue growth alongside trade facilitation.
He expressed appreciation to the Chairman of Ibeto Group of Companies, High Chief Cletus Ibeto, for his support at the Command’s formative stage and called for deeper collaboration among port stakeholders. Beyond revenue generation, he stressed the Command’s commitment to combating smuggling and blocking revenue leakages.
The release also highlighted strategic partnerships forged in 2025 with sister security and regulatory agencies in Port Harcourt, including the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, which have strengthened intelligence sharing and joint operations.
Reflecting on the past year, Comptroller Yahaya described 2025 as a foundation-laying period, adding that 2026 would focus on consolidating gains, strengthening operational processes and deepening trade facilitation in line with global best practices.
The CAC reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to surpass its current performance, noting that the revenue recorded was the result of teamwork, persistence and sustained encouragement from the Comptroller-General. He called on officers and stakeholders to maintain full cooperation as the Command enters 2026 with renewed commitment.
