The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Area Command, has witnessed a change of leadership following the assumption of duty by Deputy Comptroller Femi Felix Akanni as Acting Customs Area Controller.
Akanni takes over from Deputy Comptroller Bolaji Lukman Adigun, who has been redeployed to the Port Harcourt Area II Command, Onne Port, in a transition marked by calls for continuity, stronger collaboration and improved operational performance.
The handing-over and taking-over ceremony was held on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, and featured an official parade attended by officers, stakeholders and representatives of partner government agencies.
The event was also graced by the Acting Comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni.
In his valedictory address, Adigun expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as Acting Customs Area Controller, highlighting the Command’s revenue performance and enforcement activities during his tenure.
He disclosed that the Command generated ₦19.40 billion in June 2026, compared with ₦14.36 billion recorded in the corresponding month of 2025.
The figures represent an increase of approximately ₦5.04 billion, or 35 per cent, which he described as the highest monthly revenue collection in the history of the Command.
Adigun attributed the performance to the dedication and professionalism of officers and men of the Command, alongside the cooperation of stakeholders and other government agencies involved in the port and trade ecosystem.
On enforcement, he highlighted the interception of three containers involving expired products and false declaration.
According to him, officers intercepted a 40-foot container with identification number TIIU4739360 conveying expired disposable vapes with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦809.69 million.
The Command also intercepted a 20-foot container, GESU3900612, containing 440 bags of expired raw material known as Triple Pressed Stearic Acid, weighing 25 kilogrammes each and imported from Indonesia. The consignment had a DPV of ₦36.56 million.
Another 40-foot container, MSKU4798018, was intercepted at Joliz Terminal over false declaration, with a DPV of ₦5.01 million.
The outgoing controller said the seizures reflected the Command’s commitment to enforcing customs regulations, preventing the entry of prohibited or non-compliant goods and protecting the country’s economic and public interests.
He commended officers for their contributions and urged them to extend the same level of cooperation and commitment to the incoming Acting Customs Area Controller.
Adigun stressed that while leadership positions may change, the institutional mandate and responsibilities of the Nigeria Customs Service remain constant.
He also expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the management of the Service, as well as the Assistant Comptroller-Generals overseeing Zone A during his tenure, for their guidance and support.
In his remarks, Akanni congratulated his predecessor on the achievements recorded during his time in office and wished him success in his new assignment.
He thanked the Comptroller-General and the management of the Service for the confidence reposed in him, assuring officers and stakeholders that his administration would build on the gains recorded by the Command.
The new Acting Customs Area Controller pledged to provide purposeful leadership, sustain the operational standards established by his predecessor and advance the interests and objectives of the Nigeria Customs Service.
He also emphasised the importance of collective commitment in improving the Command’s performance and strengthening its contribution to revenue generation, trade facilitation and enforcement.
In separate goodwill messages, representatives of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) commended Adigun for his leadership, accessibility and cordial relationship with the trading community.
They pledged continued cooperation with the new leadership and expressed optimism about maintaining a productive relationship with the Command.
The transition underscores the importance of institutional continuity within the Nigeria Customs Service, particularly as its commands balance revenue generation, trade facilitation and enforcement of customs regulations.
