By Miriam Humbe
The Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service witnessed a seamless leadership transition on Tuesday, 10th November, 2026, as Deputy Comptroller Femi Felix Akanni formally assumed duty as the Acting Customs Area Controller.
Public Relations Officer of the Command, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Victor Ogagbor disclosed this in an official statement.
He succeeds Deputy Comptroller Bolaji Lukman Adigun, who has been redeployed to Port Harcourt Area II Command, Onne Port.
The handing-over and taking-over ceremony, which featured an official parade to the delight of officers and guests, was graced by the Acting Comptroller, Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, alongside officers, stakeholders and representatives of partner agencies.
In his valedictory address, the outgoing Acting Customs Area Controller, DC Bolaji Lukman Adigun, expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity to serve.
He reflected on the achievements recorded during his tenure. Highlighting the Command’s revenue performance, he disclosed that in June 2026, the Command generated ₦19,404,925,103.53, compared to ₦14,363,621,664.35 recorded in June 2025. This represented an increase of ₦5,041,303,439.18 (35%), marking the highest monthly revenue collection in the history of the Command.
On enforcement, he highlighted the interception of a 40-foot container, TIIU4739360, conveying expired disposable vapes with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦809,698,761.
He also reported the interception of a 20-foot container, GESU3900612, containing 440 bags of 25kg expired raw material known as Triple Pressed Stearic Acid imported from Indonesia, with a DPV of ₦36,556,539.00.
Additionally, he highlighted the interception of another 40-foot container, MSKU4798018, at Joliz Terminal for false declaration, with a DPV of ₦5,010,000.
DC Adigun attributed these achievements to the collective commitment and professionalism of officers and men of the Command, while appreciating stakeholders, partner government agencies and the media for their cooperation and support.
He urged officers to extend the same cooperation and commitment to the incoming Acting Customs Area Controller, stressing that leadership may change, but the institutional mandate and responsibility of the Service remains constant.
He also expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, and the Management of the Nigeria Customs Service, as well as the Assistant Comptroller-Generals in charge of Zone A during his tenure, for their guidance, confidence and support.
In his response, the incoming Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Femi Felix Akanni, congratulated his predecessor on his achievements and wished him well in his new assignment.
He expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs and the Management of the Service for the confidence reposed in him to lead the Command.
He assured officers and stakeholders of his commitment to building on the achievements recorded by the Command, sustaining the high standards established by his predecessor and contributing to the continued progress of the Command.
DC Akanni further pledged to provide purposeful leadership in advancing the interests of the Nigeria Customs Service and the operational objectives of Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command.
In their respective goodwill remarks, the leadership of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) commended the outgoing Acting Customs Area Controller for his leadership, accessibility and cordial relationship with the trading community.
They also pledged their ongoing cooperation and support for the incoming Acting Customs Area Controller, expressing optimism about a productive working relationship with the new leadership.
The ceremony ended on a note of appreciation and renewed commitment, with emphasis on continuity, institutional stability and the collective pursuit of the Service’s mandate.àà
