Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Abdullahi Kaila disclosed the figures during a handover ceremony at the ECOWAS Conference Hall in Seme, Lagos, where he transferred leadership of the command to Deputy Comptroller Olisah Alumanah. The ₦27 billion collection represents an increase of approximately ₦19 billion year-on-year, highlighting improved revenue performance at one of Nigeria’s major land-border trade corridors.
Kaila attributed the increase to improved intelligence gathering, effective supervision, professional commitment, and stronger coordination among officers and stakeholders. He also acknowledged the role of traders, transport operators, licensed customs agents, and business associations, saying their cooperation and compliance contributed to the command’s performance.
Beyond revenue collection, the outgoing controller said the command intensified efforts to prevent smuggling and the movement of prohibited goods across the border. He reported seizures of illicit drugs and other prohibited products during his tenure, attributing the interceptions to intelligence gathering, information sharing, and coordinated enforcement operations.
The Seme Area Command worked with several security and regulatory institutions, including the Department of State Services, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police Force, and Nigeria Immigration Service. Other participating agencies included the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, and Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service.
Kaila said cooperation among the agencies helped improve border security and create a more orderly operating environment. The collaboration also involved traditional rulers, community leaders, and business stakeholders in the border communities.
New controller Olisah Alumanah has pledged to build on the achievements recorded by his predecessor and strengthen cooperation with officers, businesses, and other government agencies. He identified revenue collection, facilitation of legitimate trade, discipline, professional conduct, teamwork, stakeholder engagement, and modernisation as priorities for his administration.
The Seme border is an important trade corridor between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, connecting businesses and transport operators involved in regional commerce. Improved customs administration and more predictable border procedures could support the movement of legitimate goods, strengthen commercial activity, and improve the operating environment for businesses that depend on cross-border supply chains.
For property markets, sustained trade activity around the Seme corridor could support demand for warehouses, distribution centres, logistics facilities, and commercial premises. However, the reported revenue increase alone does not establish that demand for these properties has risen.
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