Remarkable feat !  Seme Customs facilitates 96,000 metric tons of exports with FOB value of N20.5bn

Remarkable feat !  Seme Customs facilitates 96,000 metric tons of exports with FOB value of N20.5bn
…As Compt Oramalugo meets House of Representatives Committee on Customs

The Seme Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service, has made remarkable achievement in export trade facilitation, as the Command recorded 96,000 metric tons of exports, with Free On Board value of N20, 454,888,432.87 (approximately N20.5billion), in the first quarter of 2025 fiscal year.

Also, Seme Command, under the leadership of Comptroller Ben Oramalugo, PhD, as Area Controller, boosted the Federation Account with N1, 986,395,565.86 (approximately N2billion), within the same period under review.

In the same vein, Dr Ben Oramalugo and his team hosted the House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise during oversight function, which took place on
Monday, April 7, 2025.

Seme Area Controller received the Committee led by the Chairman,  Honourable Leke Abejide, during the visit, which is part of the statutory oversight responsibilities of National Assembly, as enshrined in Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Welcoming the delegation, Dr. Ben Oramalugo, expressed deep appreciation for the Committee’s presence, describing it as a strong demonstration of their commitment to enhancing Customs administration, trade facilitation, and national revenue optimisation.

In his remarks, Comptroller Dr. Oramalugo highlighted the strategic importance of the Joint Border Post (JBP) along Abidjan-Lagos Corridor, which serves as a vital hub for regional trade. He reiterated the Command’s dedication to embracing the JBP initiative, which fosters cooperation with the Republic of Benin, promotes intelligence sharing, and improves customs clearance through one-stop border post model.

Recall that since assuming office on February 11, 2025, Comptroller Oramalugo has focused on four key mandates: revenue generation, trade facilitation, anti-smuggling operations, and inter-agency collaboration. Under his supervision, Seme Command has recorded significant achievements including revenue collection
through improved compliance, risk management, and enforcement.

On anti-smuggling drive, the Command recorded seizures of petroleum products, narcotics, foreign rice, poultry, vehicles, foreign rice and others, with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N855.7million, from January to March, 2025.

Speaking further, Dr. Oramalugo, outlined several operational challenges faced by the Command, including poor infrastructure, shortage of personnel and equipment, lack of power supply for over Seven (7) years in the entire Seme axis, and ocean encroachment.

He called for urgent government intervention, especially in technology deployment, environmental protection, and enforcement of contractual obligations on stalled projects.

Responding, Hon. Leke Abejide, reaffirmed the Committee’s resolve to critically assess the operations, revenue performance and capital projects in line with the 2023 and 2024 budgetary approvals.

He asserted :  “We are here to check your books, operations, and ongoing projects to ensure alignment with appropriated funds and to determine areas for retention or removal in 2025 budget”.

More so, he emphasised the need for the Command to provide data on revenue performance in relation to targets, impact of E-Customs and digital platforms and efforts made in suppressing smuggling and promoting Nigeria’s trade competitiveness.

Hon. Abejide assured that the welfare of Customs officers is of equal priority, encouraging the Command to use the opportunity to present actionable needs for inclusion in 2025 budget.

The visit concluded with mutual assurances of continuous collaboration in strengthening Nigeria Customs Service as a key driver of economic development, regional integration, and national security, even as the Committee Chairman Commended Comptroller Oramalugo and his officers for their giant strides.