Oshoba drives reforms, nets N20bn daily

By Steve Agbota            

The newly appointed Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Oluwadare Oshoba, has embarked on accelerating reforms through the adoption of technology for seamless cargo clearance and declaration at Apapa Port.

This is even as the Command generates N20 billion in daily revenue, a feat that sent ripples through the port community and beyond.

Stakeholders said that Oshoba’s leadership is deeply aligned with the vision of Comptroller General Adewale Adeniyi, who has championed Customs modernisation.

Speaking during an inspection tour of key operational infrastructure, notably the installation sites for three brand-new high-throughput scanners, Oshoba declared that the scanning machines, capable of examining 200 containers per hour, represent a quantum leap in cargo inspection efficiency.

According to him, with the scanners strategically positioned at the quayside, they will enable non-intrusive, high-tech inspections, reducing delays and enhancing compliance.

Oshoba described the location of the scanners as a masterstroke and emphasised the importance of sincere declarations by port users, warning that concealments and false documentation would be exposed by the new technology.

However, analysts said the N20 billion daily revenue recorded at Apapa Command wasn’t just a number but a declaration.

“Perhaps it was a signal that Oshoba was not there to coast on past glories but to elevate performance and drive results, as subsequent actions were wont to prove.

“His three-pronged strategy — revenue excellence, enforcement depth, and stakeholder engagement, is already reshaping Apapa’s operational landscape,” analysts said.

Industry watchers commended Oshoba’s style of leadership, noting his reputation for excellence and a track record of strategic postings.

Stakeholders said that Oshoba’s arrival signals a high-stakes transition, one that blends legacy with ambition, and vision with execution.

Watchers of the industry say intelligence-driven operations, enhanced ICT tools, and a commitment to transparency are the pillars of his approach.

In a port where every container counts and every second matters, Oshoba’s leadership is already making waves. His focus, foresight, and operational rigour suggest that Apapa Command is not just in safe hands, it’s in ambitious hands.

As stakeholders watch closely, one thing is clear: Oshoba is not just meeting expectations, he’s redefining them as his story of ‘early to bed, early to rise’ unfolds.