The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Seme Area Command has ushered in a new era of leadership as Comptroller Wale Adenuga officially took over at the ECOWAS Joint Border Post, Seme-Krake.
The handover ceremony which held yesterday, Tuesday, 9th of August, 2025, drew a distinguished gathering of senior officials from sister security agencies, trade and transport stakeholders, community leaders, and members of the media.
In a statement issued by the command image maker, CSC Isah Suleiman, Comptroller Adenuga commended his predecessor, ACG Ben Oramalugo PhD, for his impactful tenure and pledged to build on those achievements. He declared trade facilitation as the cornerstone of his leadership,
“Trade facilitation is my keyword. When stakeholders make proper declarations, their consignments will leave Customs control within the shortest possible time. The more we facilitate trade, the more revenue we generate—and the less smuggling we encounter.”
Adenuga emphasized the importance of synergy with sister agencies including the DSS, Nigeria Police, Immigration, NDLEA, NAFDAC, and the Nigerian Military. He also committed to maintaining open lines of communication with traditional rulers, youth groups in Badagry, and the media, assuring all stakeholders that his doors remain open.
He vowed to lead by example, uphold discipline among officers, and ensure unwavering commitment to duty.
Recognizing the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), who also serves as President of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council—the first Nigerian to hold the position—Adenuga pledged to uphold the CGC’s legacy through excellence and integrity.
In his farewell remarks, ACG Oramalugo described the day as one of “mixed emotions” joy at God’s faithfulness and his promotion, but nostalgia for the bonds built during his time in Seme. He highlighted key achievements under his leadership, including sustained suppression of smuggling with significant seizures of prohibited goods. Improved revenue collection and enhanced trade facilitation to ease legitimate business while safeguarding national security as well as fostering inter-agency cooperation and community engagement, among others.
He thanked the CGC, NCS management, and his officers for their support and urged stakeholders to rally behind Comptroller Adenuga.
The ceremony concluded with goodwill messages from heads of agencies including Immigration, NDLEA, FRSC, and the Nigeria Shippers Council. All pledged to work in harmony with the new leadership to boost revenue, curb smuggling, enhance security, and promote seamless trade at the Seme Border.
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