When Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Babatunde Olomu walked into the Apapa Customs Command in May 2024—then as the Area Controller—few could have predicted that he would leave just sixteen months later as one of the most celebrated officers in the Service’s history.
On 2 September 2025, he was promoted and decorated by both the Chairman of the Service’s Board and the CGC as an Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs (ACG) in Abuja—a fitting climax to a tenure that broke records, inspired colleagues, and raised the bar for what leadership at Nigeria’s busiest port could mean.
ACG Olomu’s story at Apapa was not just about numbers, figures, or digits, though the numbers themselves were staggering. Under his amiable leadership, the Command collected N2.2 trillion in 2024, more than double the previous year’s figure. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, revenues surged to N694.1 billion, representing a 41.8 percent rise year-on-year. By mid-2025, Apapa Command had raked in N1.367 trillion, proving that his reforms were not a flash in the pan but a sustained culture of excellence.
Like the popular adage created by one of the telecommunication companiesin Nigeria—“everywhere you go”—revenue records fell like dominoes during his administration. In July 2024, the Command pulled in N201.85 billion—its highest monthly collection at the time. That figure was overshadowed in October, when Apapa set a daily record of N18.2 billion, only for Olomu’s team to surpass themselves again with N18.9 billion in a single day on 14 March 2025.
His transparency and integrity motivated his staff with the reminder that “Numbers don’t just appear out of thin air. They are the product of discipline, teamwork, and the belief that Customs can do better than yesterday.” His words have, on many occasions, resonated with officers who recall his leadership style as firm but inspiring—a blend of accountability and encouragement.
But can ACG Olomu’s legacy be measured in revenue alone? The answer is a capital NO. In all honesty, ACG Olomu was a driving force behind Customs modernisation. At Apapa, he championed the deployment of the B’Odogwu system and reinforced Nigeria’s push towards a national single-window platform, tools that many experts say will ease documentation bottlenecks and enhance trade efficiency.
His partnership with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) on cargo evacuation was another masterstroke—reviving rail as a reliable alternative to the overburdened roads and helping decongest Apapa Port.
In May 2025, when an ECOWAS delegation toured Apapa, they left with glowing reviews of the Command’s digital transformation. They returned with renewed hope that “with Olomu in charge of Apapa Command, modernisation is not a slogan; it is the backbone of trade facilitation.”
Even while driving trade reforms, ACG Olomu maintained a keen eye on enforcement—he always refused to be distracted by matters that lacked weight, Customs-wise. His intelligence-driven approach consistently kept smugglers on the defensive. Whether it was false declarations, forged documents, or attempts to beat the system with fake vehicle registrations, his officers were trained to anticipate, detect, and neutralise threats.
Collaboration—one of CGC Adeniyi’s core policies—was warmly welcomed by Olomu, who sealed partnerships with agencies such as NAFDAC. This further reinforced compliance, ensuring that sensitive imports underwent strict checks.
He never, in many people’s opinions, treated enforcement and facilitation as enemies. For ACG Olomu, they were two sides of the same coin—protecting the economy while enabling legitimate trade.
ACG Olomu’s peers and superiors recognised his achievements in grand style. At the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Awards Night in 2024, he was named Best Controller of the Year. The Apapa Command itself walked away with laurels as Best Command of the Year, Best in Revenue Generation, and an Award of Excellence for overall performance. Giving these accolades to both Olomu and his then Command was no favour—they deserved them.
Yet beyond the trophies, what defined him was the respect he earned from those he led. Officers under his command describe him as approachable but uncompromising, a leader who “would walk the terminals, ask questions, and listen before making decisions. One can’t expect a PhD holder to behave otherwise.”
Now elevated to ACG, Olomu carries with him a reputation built on results and reform. Industry observers believe his rise reflects the vision of Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who has consistently emphasised professionalism, innovation, and integrity as the new DNA of the Nigeria Customs Service.
For Olomu, the new role is both recognition and responsibility. Having conquered Apapa, he steps onto the broader stage of national leadership, where his capacity to inspire, modernise, and enforce will be tested on a larger scale.
But those who know him best believe he will not just meet the challenge—he will redefine it. After all, Babatunde Olomu has never been a man of ordinary records.
As Babatunde Olomu assumes his new office as Assistant Comptroller-General, he leaves behind a legacy at Apapa that will be remembered in figures, reforms, and lives touched. He also carries forward a readiness to support CGC Adeniyi in rewriting the story of Nigerian Customs on a larger canvas.
Even after leaving Apapa Command with multiple broken records, one truth remains unmistakable: Victoria Acerta—Victory Assured.
This article was written by Muhammad Bashir, a public commentator and analyst with a keen interest in public administration, democracy, governance, and institutional development. He can be reached via email at macbashir89@gmail.com for comments, feedback, or further discussion.
