The Acting Customs Area Controller for Oyo/Osun, Deputy Comptroller Wale Adewole, visited two prominent traditional leaders on 12 March 2026 to enlist their support in the fight against smuggling.

The visits to the palaces of the Aseyin of Iseyin Land, Oba (Dr.) Sefiu Olawale Oyebola Adeyeri III, and the Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, are part of a wider stakeholder engagement strategy aimed at mobilizing community cooperation in safeguarding Nigeria’s economy.

Why It Matters

Smuggling remains a major challenge for Nigeria’s economy, undermining revenue generation and distorting trade. Customs officials say engaging traditional institutions can help enforce regulations at the community level and raise public awareness about the economic impact of illicit trade.

“Traditional authorities play a crucial role in maintaining peace, security, and order within communities,” DC Adewole said. “We are committed to our mandates of revenue generation, suppression of smuggling, and facilitation of legitimate trade, and we need community leaders to help sensitize residents about the dangers of smuggling.”

Community Leaders Respond

Oba Adeyeri III of Iseyin praised the Customs Service for its efforts, assuring that his institution would support initiatives aimed at discouraging illegal trade and promoting lawful commerce.

Similarly, Oba Ghandi Olaoye of Ogbomosho described the visit as “timely and commendable,” pledging that his people would assist the Nigeria Customs Service in combatting smuggling and fostering legitimate trade.

“These engagements strengthen operational effectiveness and demonstrate the value of local partnerships in economic governance,” DC Adewole added.

What’s Next

The Oyo/Osun Area Command plans to expand such outreach, engaging more traditional authorities and community stakeholders to ensure the success of anti-smuggling campaigns and sustainable economic growth.

The Nigeria Police Force has held a ceremonial pull-out parade in Abuja to honour its immediate past Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, marking the end of his 36-year policing career.

The colourful ceremony took place at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, celebrating the former police chief’s service and leadership after his retirement on 25 February 2026.

Police authorities said the parade symbolised appreciation for a career they described as marked by professionalism, institutional reforms and commitment to public service.

Why it matters

Leadership transitions in the police often signal shifts in security strategy and institutional direction in Nigeria.

During his tenure, Egbetokun oversaw reforms aimed at strengthening intelligence-driven policing, expanding operational structures and improving professionalism across the force.

Security analysts say such reforms are critical as Nigeria continues to face complex security challenges ranging from cybercrime to organised criminal networks.

Police leadership pays tribute

Speaking at the event, the current Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, said the ceremony recognised a career defined by dedication and leadership.

He said the former police chief helped strengthen operational efficiency and reinforce the core values of discipline and accountability within the force.

According to him, the Nigeria Police Force remains grateful for the retired officer’s service and contributions to policing in the country.

Egbetokun reflects on reforms

In his farewell address, Egbetokun thanked the force for the opportunity to serve Nigeria for more than three decades.

He said efforts during his leadership focused on strengthening institutional processes and expanding operational capacity.

Key reforms, he explained, included expanding the police Intelligence Bureau into a full department and upgrading both the Legal and Medical Units to directorate status.

He also highlighted the development of the Nigeria Police Cybercrime Centre and improvements to the national criminal database.

Other initiatives included the establishment of additional Police Mobile Force squadrons, new area commands and the creation of a Special Intervention Squad.

Dignitaries at the ceremony

Several senior government officials and security leaders attended the ceremony.

They included Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, the Director-General of the Department of State Services Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, and the chairman of the Police Service Commission Hashimu Argungu.

Former Inspectors-General of Police, including Mike Okiro and Ogbonna Onovo, were also present.

Traditional leaders attended the ceremony, led by the Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Kehinde Olugbenle.

What’s next

With Egbetokun’s retirement formally marked, attention now turns to the next phase of policing reforms and operational strategy under the current leadership.

Observers say sustaining institutional reforms and strengthening public trust in law enforcement will remain key priorities for the Nigeria Police Force.

Historic Surge in Cargo Signals Maritime Transformation

Nigeria’s maritime sector, which handles over 80% of the country’s international trade, is experiencing a major overhaul under the leadership of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho.

The NPA’s 2025 Operational Performance Report reveals a record-breaking 24.8% increase in total cargo throughput, rising from 103.6 million metric tons in 2024 to 129.3 million metric tons in 2025. Dr. Dantsoho described this as “one of the most significant annual increases in Nigeria’s maritime history,” underscoring the nation’s growing competitiveness in regional and global trade.

Why Port Modernisation Matters

For decades, Nigeria’s ports struggled with congestion, outdated infrastructure, and operational inefficiencies. Experts estimate the country loses over N1 trillion annually due to delays, administrative duplication, and lack of automation. Neighboring ports in Ghana, Togo, and Benin Republic have capitalized on modern facilities, diverting cargo that would otherwise pass through Nigeria.

President Bola Tinubu’s administration, in collaboration with the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under Adegboyega Oyetola, is reversing this trend through comprehensive port modernisation and the deployment of the National Single Window (NSW) digital platform.

“Efficient ports are indispensable to economic growth. Modernisation will reduce vessel turnaround time, lower freight costs, and improve Nigeria’s competitiveness,” – Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, NPA MD.

Ports Reconstruction and Modern Infrastructure

The federal government is undertaking a major infrastructure renewal at key ports, including Apapa, Tin Can Island, Port Harcourt, Warri, and Calabar. Projects include:

Upgrading quay walls

Deepening channels

Modernising cargo-handling equipment

Expanding terminal capacity

These upgrades aim to reduce vessel waiting times, accelerate cargo clearance, and cut logistics costs. Early indicators show ship calls exceeding 4,000 vessels and container traffic at 1.74 million TEUs, reflecting rising trade activity.

Digital Transformation Through the National Single Window

The NSW is a digital platform designed to streamline all import, export, and transit documentation through a single portal, eliminating the need to interact with multiple government agencies.

Last week, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila announced the NSW launch for March 27, calling it a “monumental fiscal reform” to improve trade efficiency and Nigeria’s global competitiveness.

 “We are about to launch yet another reform, fiscal reform by this administration, which in its nature will be very transformational,” – Femi Gbajabiamila.

NSW aims to:

Reduce cargo dwell time by 35–45%

Cut trade transaction costs by up to 25%

Boost customs revenue by 10–20% annually (an estimated N600 billion to N1.2 trillion)

Integration with NPA systems, including the Revenue Invoice Management System (RIMS 2.0), ensures seamless data sharing and improved accountability.

Economic Impact and Job Creation

Modernised ports and digital trade systems are expected to stimulate economic growth by:

Enhancing export competitiveness

Reducing logistics costs for businesses

Attracting foreign direct investment in shipping, logistics, and manufacturing

Analysts project that a fully operational digital maritime ecosystem could generate over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs in logistics and ICT sectors.

Institutional Leadership Driving Change

The NPA has deployed advanced tools like the Port Community System, Vessel Traffic Management System, and digital cargo tracking platforms to support the NSW rollout. In 2024, NPA revenue reached N894.86 billion, with N400.8 billion remitted to the Consolidated Revenue Fund, nearly double the previous year.

The Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, led by Adegboyega Oyetola, provides policy direction and regulatory coordination, positioning Nigeria’s ports as a major regional logistics hub.

Looking Ahead: Nigeria’s Maritime Future

With modernised infrastructure and digital integration, Nigeria is poised to become a key maritime hub in West and Central Africa. Ports like Lekki Deep Sea Port are already showing strong growth in container traffic and trans-shipment volumes, signalling a potential regional redistribution role.

If sustained, these reforms could transform Nigeria’s maritime sector into a driver of industrial expansion, trade integration, and long-term economic prosperity, reshaping the country’s role in global trade.