“Revenue Soars: Murtala Mohammed Airport Command Sees 40% Jump in Jan 2026, Cracks Down on Cargo Concealment
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“Revenue Soars: Murtala Mohammed Airport Command Sees 40% Jump in Jan 2026, Cracks Down on Cargo Concealment
By Success Okezie
The Murtala Mohammed Airport Command has maintained high operational standards in cargo handling, resulting in a significant revenue increase. According to the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller G A Otunla, the command’s revenue jumped from 16,673,433,040.00 in January 2025 to 23,410,408,103.20 in January 2026.
Comptroller Otunla made this known during a courtesy visit by members of the Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN), reiterating the command’s commitment to ensuring that port operators and clearing agents pay stipulated duties for goods before clearance.
He explained that every item imported through freight is airway billed separately, contrary to the practice of some agents who present them collectively during inspection. This, he said, allows the Nigeria Customs to capture every item in their database. However, some agents attempt to evade duties by bunching items together, declaring only a few.
Comptroller Otunla warned that such attempts would be foiled, as the system would still detect uncleared items, leading to stiff penalties for terminal operators handling such cargoes.
The Comptroller attributed his achievements to his experience and the support of dedicated officers inherited from the previous administration. He recalled his time at Ogun1 (Idiroko) Command, where the team successfully combated smugglers and made significant seizures without loss of life, thanks to effective intelligence.
Compt Otunla appreciated the Comptroller-General of the NCS, Bashir Adeniyi, for his continuous support, which according to him was instrumental in this success story
In his closing remarks, Comptroller Otunla advised the trading public to view Nigerian Customs as friends and facilitators, not enemies. He urged buyers to verify the clearance status of products before purchase, ensuring they are properly cleared from the ports.
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