Stakeholders laud Comptroller Toyin Awe’s leadership style
Nigeria Customs Service, Murtala Muhammed Area Command, (MMAC) declared that it made significant revenue collection and enforcement leaps in the first half of year 2025.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Michael Toyin Awe made this known during a media briefing held at the command;s headquarters located at the Hajj and Cargo area of Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos, recently.
Comptroller Awe said that the command generated a whooping ₦97.16 billion in revenue between the month of January and June 2025; representing a 20.92 per cent increase when compared to the ₦80.35 billion collected within corresponding period in 2024.
Awe who expressed fulfilment while making the presentation, averred that the success of the command during the period under review was due to the commitments and dedications of its officers and men.
“This remarkable growth is the result of enhanced compliance, strict transaction monitoring, prompt action on irregularities, and our determination to plug revenue leakages,” Awe stated.
While highlighting achievements of the command, Awe also pointed out that the command intercepted and recorded major seizures during the period under review saying, the total Duty Paid Value (DPV), amounting to ₦792.79 million arising from; 75 bags of pangolin scales weighing 3,765kg (DPV: ₦772.4 million),18 Tippmann semi-automatic paintball markers and 32 empty gas cylinders (DPV: ₦18.3 million), 20 ballistic helmets (DPV: ₦2.07 million). In his words; ”These items pose serious threats to both national security and our endangered wildlife. Our success is attributed to robust intelligence, increased surveillance, and the dedication of our officers.” He stressed.
The Comptroller also reiterated the Command’s commitment to sustaining a strong partnership with stakeholders across the aviation and logistics value chain remains unwavering adding that frequent engagement and open communication have accelerated decisions and improved operational outcomes.
To promote camaraderie and wellness, Awe announced that, the command organized an inter-agency sporting competition in Q2, featuring football, volleyball, table tennis, badminton, and indoor, games like draft. an initiative which he said has fostered mental and physical fitness, reduced stress, and created a friendly platform for strategic engagements.
The Comptroller however reiterated the Command’s resolve to strengthen revenue performance, crack down on smuggling, and deepen stakeholders’ collaboration.
“We will continue to discharge our duties with integrity, discipline, and professionalism. Our goal remains to protect national interests while upholding the highest ethical standards of service.
He however expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for his visionary leadership while also commending the men and officers of the Command and other stakeholders operating in the area for their cooperation, resilience and
Commending his sterline performances, stakeholders in the aviacargo subsector present at the briefing lauded the comptroller for providing exceptional leadership qualities.
the stakeholders which included representatives of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents ( ANLCA) and African Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) spoke glowingly about the sterling performance of the CAC in the last six months.
In his words, the Acting Director, Lagos Liaison office, NESREA, Dr. Jonathan Dajal commended the CAC for the perfect relationship between his agency and NCS.
on behalf of my director General, i want to appreciate the assistance you have been rendering to our staff in carrying out their duties in this sector of the airport. we would continue to work together in safeguarding the nigerian environment. talking about the interception of the pangolin scales in the airport, he said the nesrea director said, nigeria is experiencing serious depletion of her wildlife and this has to stop or the next generation of nigerians would not know what an elephant looks like in real life. once again , Comptroller, I want to thank you for a job well-done.
Also , the Executive Chairman of ANLCA, Murtala Muhammed Airport Cargo Chapter, Hon Bola Ashiru- Balogun affirmed that the innovations brought into the operations of the command by Comptroller Awe on customs – stakeholders relationship, have led to improved revenue generation and interception.
“Let me commend you sir, sincerely and particularly on the achievements made in the last six months of this year in the command. And also the initiatives you brought to the command particularly, in the area of stakeholders’ engagements. I want to say we never had it so well in this command. I also want to say that you are a seasoned officer for you to achieve this feat. This is because the volume of consignments coming into the command is very minute, yet you generated this huge revenue. This shows that your emotional intelligence is at work and well applied. We noticed that when one enters into the sheds, one notices that it is factually empty like a football field most times. Also after listening to the humongous figures you reeled out, I have the conviction that we, the customs brokers, too are working harder towards improving the economy of the country. We are supporting your administration. I want to commend you for taking the advantage of the good relationship that exist between Customs and the stakeholders to improve the revenue base of the country.
Also commending the the CAC for a job well done during the period under review, the Chairman of Murtala Muhammed Airport Chapter of APFFLON, Mr. Olorunfunmi Quadri averred that the open door policy introduced by the comptroller is working for him and the command in its operations.
according to him, “we at APFFLON appreciate your achievements. Also we want to appreciate your contribution and impact on the area of revenue generation and also collaborations. your open door policy with stakeholders is actually working for the command, the service and every stakeholder.”
