The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, has reported significant activities in export and revenue generation for the first quarter of 2025. According to the Area Controller of the command, Dr. Ben Oramalugo, the command processed over 96,000 metric tonnes of export goods, valued at N20.4 billion between January and March this year.
Dr. Oramalugo made this known during an oversight visit by the House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise. The lawmakers were at the Seme Border to assess the performance of the command, inspect ongoing projects, and evaluate how well the 2023 and 2024 budgets are being implemented.
While briefing the committee, Dr. Oramalugo said that the command also generated N1.9 billion in revenue in the first quarter of the year. He attributed the achievement to improved compliance by traders, better risk management strategies, and increased enforcement at the border.
“Export activities were notably boosted with over 96,000 metric tonnes of goods with a FOB (free-on-board) value of N20.4 billion from January to March 2025,” Oramalugo said.
He also revealed that the command made several seizures during the period. These include petroleum products smuggled out of the country, narcotics, foreign rice, frozen poultry, and vehicles. The total duty-paid value of the seized goods is estimated at N855 million.
Despite the achievements, the Area Controller said the command is battling serious challenges. He mentioned that poor infrastructure remains a major problem, as roads within the Seme axis are in bad condition. He also complained about the lack of electricity in the entire Seme area for over seven years.
“There has been no power supply in this area for over seven years. This affects our operations and the comfort of our officers. We also need more personnel and better equipment to improve efficiency,” he stated.
Another issue raised by Dr. Oramalugo is ocean encroachment, which is threatening the coastline and putting infrastructure at risk. He called on the Federal Government to intervene urgently, especially in providing technology, protecting the environment, and completing abandoned projects.
The Customs boss stressed the importance of the Joint Border Post (JBP) located along the Abidjan–Lagos Corridor. He described it as a key route for regional trade, particularly between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin. He said the JBP helps promote cooperation, faster customs clearance, and intelligence sharing between both countries.
He commended the lawmakers for taking their oversight duties seriously. “Your visit shows a strong commitment to improving customs operations, supporting trade facilitation, and boosting national revenue,” he told them.
In his response, the Chairman of the House Committee on Customs, Hon. Leke Abejide, said the purpose of the visit was to check the books and operations of the command. He explained that the committee was also there to inspect capital projects and ensure they align with the budgetary provisions of 2023 and 2024.
“We are here to determine what should be retained or removed in the 2025 budget. This is part of our responsibility under the Constitution to monitor public agencies,” Hon. Abejide said.
The committee promised to look into the challenges facing the Seme Command and consider them during future budget discussions. They also urged the command to continue working hard in protecting the nation’s borders and increasing revenue for the country.
