The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has generated N3.48 billion in revenue in February 2026, signaling a significant rise in cross-border trade activities along the Lagos–Abidjan corridor.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Seme Area Command, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting with cross-border traders, farmers and industry stakeholders held in Badagry on Wednesday. The meeting was organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission, the ECOWAS Agricultural Trade Programme and GIZ International.
Adenuga, who represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said the Command realised N3,480,970,924.67 in revenue even before the end of February, compared with N743,698,652.16 recorded in the same period in 2025.
He attributed the sharp increase to improved trade facilitation measures and growing confidence among traders operating along the Seme–Krake border corridor.
“For this February that has not yet ended, we have already generated N3.48 billion as against N743.69 million recorded in February 2025. This clearly shows that the flow of trade is getting better and people are building greater confidence in the Seme–Krake corridor,” Adenuga said.
The CAC explained that the reduction of checkpoints along the Seme–Gbaji axis resulted from coordinated efforts among security agencies operating within the corridor. According to him, only Agbara and Gbaji remain officially approved Customs checkpoints along the international trade route.
He noted that regular joint border security meetings have strengthened inter-agency collaboration, enhanced intelligence sharing and contributed to a noticeable decline in crime along the axis, thereby creating a safer environment for legitimate trade.
Despite prioritising revenue generation and trade facilitation, Adenuga stressed that enforcement against illicit activities remains central to the Command’s mandate.
He revealed that operatives recently intercepted a Toyota Highlander conveying 22 packages of cocaine valued at over N1 billion, based on credible intelligence. The Command also seized 1,000 bags of 50kg parboiled rice within February 2026 alone as part of ongoing anti-smuggling operations.
The Customs boss reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustaining collaboration with traders, farmers, security agencies and regional partners to strengthen trade efficiency and security along the Lagos–Abidjan corridor.
He added that continued stakeholder engagement and coordinated border management would further enhance lawful trade while protecting Nigeria’s economic borders from criminal activities.
