Nigeria Customs Service records seamless leadership switch at Lagos command following impressive revenue surges and major enforcement breakthroughs.
The Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service recorded a significant milestone on Tuesday, 10th November 2026, as Deputy Comptroller Femi Felix Akanni officially assumed duties as the Acting Customs Area Controller. He steps into the role following the redeployment of his predecessor, Deputy Comptroller Bolaji Lukman Adigun, who has been reassigned to lead the Port Harcourt Area II Command at Onne Port.
The transition was marked by an official parade and formal handing-over ceremony that highlighted institutional continuity and military precision. Honored by the presence of the Acting Comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, the event brought together rank-and-file officers, freight forwarders, partner security agencies, and maritime trade stakeholders.
In his valedictory address, outgoing controller DC Bolaji Lukman Adigun expressed deep gratitude to the Service leadership for the opportunity to head the Command. Reflecting on his tenure, he pointed to substantial administrative and operational milestones, crediting the collective dedication of his officers and the strong ties built with host port communities for the progress achieved during his stewardship.
Chief among the achievements detailed in Adigun’s final report was a historic financial breakthrough for the Command. In June 2026, KLT generated ₦19,404,925,103.53 in revenue—representing a 35 percent jump of ₦5,041,303,439.18 over the ₦14,363,621,664.35 collected in June 2025. This remarkable feat set the highest single-month revenue collection benchmark in the Command’s history.
Adigun’s tenure was equally defined by aggressive border protection and anti-smuggling enforcement. Highlights included the interception of a 40-foot container (TIIU4739360) loaded with expired disposable vapes valued at ₦809,698,761 in Duty Paid Value (DPV), alongside a 20-foot container (GESU3900612) conveying 440 bags of expired raw Triple Pressed Stearic Acid from Indonesia worth ₦36,556,539. A third 40-foot container (MSKU4798018) carrying false declarations at Joliz Terminal was also seized.
Before officially stepping down, DC Adigun extended sincere appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, the Service Management, and successive Assistant Comptroller-Generals of Zone A for their steady guidance. He charged officers to render even greater dedication to his successor, emphasizing that while command leadership evolves, the core national mandate of the Customs Service remains fixed.
Taking the podium, incoming Acting Controller DC Femi Felix Akanni commended Adigun’s stellar track record and extended his warmest wishes for his new posting at Onne Port. Akanni expressed deep gratitude to the Comptroller-General and top management for the confidence reposed in him to guide KLT through its next operational chapter.
Outlining his strategic vision, DC Akanni pledged to deliver purposeful, transparent leadership focused on advancing the objectives of the Nigeria Customs Service. He committed to sustaining the high performance standards established by his predecessor, deepening trade facilitation, and continuously strengthening security controls across all terminals under his jurisdiction.
The transition received unanimous endorsement from port trade bodies, with leadership from the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) offering goodwill remarks. Commending Adigun’s open-door policy, the associations formally pledged their unalloyed support to DC Akanni to ensure sustained harmony and maritime efficiency.
