Uche Cecil Izuora
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned the newly constructed Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ office complex of the Nigeria Customs Service in Iperu, Ogun State, in a move that underscores the Service’s drive to expand its operational footprint and modernise its infrastructure.
The commissioning, held on Saturday, 4 April 2026, marks a key step in Nigeria Customs’ reform agenda, balancing revenue generation, trade facilitation, and enforcement with improved working conditions for officers.
In his remarks, the Comptroller‑General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the FOU ‘A’ complex was borne out of increasing operational demands and the limitations of the existing Ikeja facilities in Lagos. “The expansion became necessary due to rising volumes of trade and the need to decongest our offices,” he said, adding that the Iperu complex is fully furnished and equipped for immediate use.
Adeniyi revealed that the FOU, Zone ‘A’ will relocate to the new complex as soon as practicable, with modern amenities, including a new armoury and enhanced warehousing capacity. He highlighted that a warehouse directly opposite the complex will complement the existing facility at the nearby aviation village, improving logistics and cargo management across the cluster.
The CGC praised Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun for his collaboration on the relocation project and also paid tribute to his predecessor, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd), for conceiving and initiating the FOU ‘A’ development. “His efforts laid the foundation for the progress we are witnessing today,” he said.
On project cost, Adeniyi disclosed that the initial budget was pegged at about ₦73 billion, though evolving economic conditions may require a review of the approved figure. He emphasised that the investment reflects the Service’s commitment to institutional growth and long‑term operational efficiency.
The Chief Executive also confirmed that Customs operations have already commenced at the newly commissioned nearby cargo airport, with officers deployed for terminal operations and cargo handling. “We’re already at the airport, and our officers performed the tallying when the President witnessed the offloading of the first cargo,” he said, underscoring the immediacy of the functional rollout.
The sprawling Iperu project site is designed to host approximately 142 structures, including a training college, multipurpose halls, and a sports complex, all aimed at upgrading officers’ welfare and reinforcing the Service’s long‑term vision of modernisation, professionalism, and institutional capacity. With the new FOU ‘A’ complex now operational, the Nigeria Customs Service signals a shift toward more decentralised, better‑equipped, and more efficient service delivery across the Southwest corridor.