There are officers who simply do their jobs—and there are those who embody the mission of public service with passion, brilliance, and transformative impact. For me, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Command, falls squarely in the latter.
I have watched with growing admiration how he has—in no distant time—turned Apapa into a symbol of possibility and proof of what can happen when competence meets vision.
Since his appointment in May 2024, Comptroller Olomu has been redefining the benchmarks of revenue generation. Just five months into 2025, the Command has already crossed the ₦1 trillion mark—well ahead of schedule.
That is not just statistics; it is a leadership statement. It says a lot about the seriousness, discipline and foresight that Olomu has brought to bear on Apapa Command, and by extension, on our national economy.
But it doesn’t stop there. This is a man who inherited a strong structure and made it stronger. Like a weightlifting champion, he took the bar and raised it—deliberately, intelligently, and steadily.
Last year, Apapa collected a whopping ₦2.2 trillion, and instead of being content with that glory, Comptroller Olomu went back to the drawing board, built a better strategy, and committed his officers to a higher standard. That is the mark of a real reformer—someone who sees milestones not as finish lines, but as stepping stones.
I am not surprised by these milestones. Comptroller Olomu has long established himself as a master of border management—both in theory and practice. His proactive enforcement measures, constant stakeholder engagements, and belief in collaboration across agencies have positioned the Apapa Command not just as a revenue hub, but as a fortress against economic sabotage.
From launching training for agents on the new ‘B’Odogwu’ platform to aggressively blocking leakages, this is a Comptroller who leads from the front and earns every result through structured, intelligent work.
What truly inspires me is how Comptroller Olomu seamlessly blends technology, human capital, and institutional integrity.
He understands that Customs isn’t just about collecting revenue—it’s about securing the economic integrity of the nation. It’s about trust. It’s about accountability. It’s about defending Nigeria’s borders not just from physical smuggling but from loopholes and laziness that drain national resources.
I write this from the standpoint of someone who understands the weight of public trust and the price of underperformance. What Comptroller Olomu is doing deserves not only celebration but replication.
His loyalty to the CGC’s vision, his drive to fortify Nigeria’s premier port, and his refusal to rest on laurels—even after winning ‘Best Controller of the Year’—speak volumes. In Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, I see what Nigeria Customs should look like at its best: focused, fearless, and future-driven.
He is not only delivering results; he is delivering reforms. His leadership at Apapa has shown that Customs Commands can be both revenue-generating giants and models of integrity.
He has shown that the system can work—and work excellently—when the right people are at the helm. That is why I believe Comptroller Olomu deserves not just applause, but a place in our national conversation as one of the finest customs officers of this generation.
Indeed, he is the kind of leader who gives the Service—and the country—hope. Hope that change is possible. Hope that efficiency is not a myth. Hope that public service, when done right, can uplift a nation.
Beyond his visible achievements in revenue generation and operational efficiency, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu stands out as a man of profound depth and institutional understanding.
He is not just a career officer—he is a scholar and a strategist. A PhD holder, an astute asset to the Nigeria Customs Service, and an epitome of knowledge and skills. His command of customs operations is not superficial; it is rooted in study, experience, and a sharp grasp of global best practices.
He understands in full clarity the meaning and implications of border crisis and national security. In his perspective, borders are not merely points of entry and exit—they are pressure points in the larger conversation around sovereignty, security, and economic protection. And in this understanding, he has continued to guide Apapa Command with strategic precision.
He is indeed such a man of principle and integrity, Comptroller Olomu is deeply loyal to the leadership and policy direction of the Service under the guidance of Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR.
He embodies the CGC’s vision of a Customs Service driven by technology, integrity, and service excellence. His work reflects not just obedience to directives but deep alignment with a transformative vision.
About the Author:
Muhammad Bashir is a Public Relations expert, journalist, and passionate advocate for reform in public service. He holds a Master’s Degree in Democracy and Governance and is currently pursuing a PhD in Public Relations at the Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State. He can be reached via muhammadbashir38@gmail.com or WhatsApp +234 8062 95 8059.
