Uche Cecil Izuora
The Comptroller of the Apapa Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Oluwadare Oshoba, who has assumed as the new Customs Area Controller is adjusting to provide excellent services that will help enhance revenue and boost trade facilitation.
His arrival marks a significant turning point as he is known for excellence and strategic expertise.
Oshoba brings a blend of experience and ambition to the helm of Apapa Customs.
Before his Apapa appointment, Oshoba served in key roles including Comptroller Special Duty and Comptroller CUI at Nigeria Customs Headquarters. His practical experience spans multiple units and commands, including a crucial period at Idiroko, where he developed strong enforcement and border management skills.
Within just two days of taking office, Oshoba’s leadership was felt as Apapa recorded a daily revenue of ₦20 billion—a clear signal of his commitment to performance and results.
Oshoba has since led an inspection tour of new infrastructure, including the deployment of three high-throughput scanners capable of inspecting 200 containers per hour. Positioned strategically at the quay, these scanners facilitate non-intrusive inspections, reduce delays, and enhance compliance. Oshoba emphasized that false declarations and concealment would be effectively detected by this technology.
His vision aligns closely with Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi’s modernization goals, accelerating reforms like the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS) and Trade Modernisation Project (TMP).
Oshoba’s approach centers on three key pillars: revenue excellence, enforcement, and stakeholder engagement. Through intelligence-driven operations and advanced ICT tools, he is reshaping Apapa’s customs operations with transparency and rigor.
Inherited from predecessor ACG Babatunde Olomu’s legacy of record revenues and enforcement achievements, Oshoba is poised to elevate Apapa Customs even further.
In a port where efficiency and accuracy are crucial, Comptroller Oshoba’s leadership signals not only stability but ambitious progress, redefining expectations with early wins and strategic vision.