Deputy Comptroller NI Nwala, Ph.D, mnipr, psc, has officially assumed office as the Acting Customs Area Controller for the Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command.
She formally took over leadership of the Command during a handover ceremony on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at Customs House, Calabar, succeeding Comptroller Momodu Giwah Dauda.
Ag. Comptroller Nwala, Ph.D, expresses appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and the management of the Nigeria Customs Service for the confidence reposed in her.
She describes the Command as strategically important, with responsibilities spanning a major seaport, Free Trade Zone, international border operations and commercial corridors across Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.
Nwala identified Revenue and Compliance, Trade Facilitation, Border and Economic Security, Professionalism and Partnership as the four key operational priorities that will guide her tenure.
She pledged to strengthen revenue collection in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, promote voluntary compliance and facilitate legitimate trade, while maintaining firm enforcement against smuggling and other activities that threaten Nigeria’s economic and security interests, particularly along the Mfum-Ekok border corridor.
DC Nwala also called for stronger collaboration with sister government and security agencies, traditional institutions, the Nigerian Ports Authority, Free Trade Zone operators, licensed customs agents, businesses and other stakeholders, stressing that effective Customs administration requires partnership founded on fairness, transparency, mutual respect and compliance with the law.
She reflected on the contributions of her predecessor, Comptroller Momodu Giwah Dauda, and expressed her determination to consolidate existing achievements while pursuing greater efficiency, stronger revenue performance, responsive trade facilitation, effective enforcement and enhanced stakeholder engagement.
The acting controller urged officers and men of the command, stakeholders and host communities to support her administration, assuring them of her commitment to integrity, legitimate trade facilitation and the protection of Nigeria’s borders.
She added that safeguarding the nation’s economic and security interests would remain top on her priorities.
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