Mastery of Customs operations : Comptroller Abubakar hands over Lagos free trade zone Command with N557bn revenue
Mastery of Customs operations :
Comptroller Abubakar hands over Lagos free trade zone Command with N557bn revenue
…As Kukoyi assumes office with boldness, pledges continuity, innovation
… Hauwa Abubakar, beyond gender
As the wave of leadership transition sweeps across various formations of the Nigeria Customs Service ,NCS, the Lagos Free Trade Zone Command has emerged one of the formations attracting particular attention, not merely because of the change in leadership, but because of the remarkable legacy bequeathed by its outgoing Area Controller, Comptroller Hauwa Abubakar.
For the past period, the Command was under the stewardship of a consummate Customs administrator whose professional trajectory demonstrated that excellence in public service is not defined by gender, but by competence, character, resilience and strong commitment to duty.
Comptroller Abubakar distinguished herself across the critical dimensions of Customs administration, including revenue generation, trade facilitation, stakeholder engagement, inter-agency collaboration and personnel welfare. Under her leadership, the Command recorded a remarkable revenue performance, contributing over N557 billion to the Federation Account, from January to August 2026, a landmark achievement and the highest revenue performance recorded since the establishment of the Lagos Free Trade Zone Command.
More than triumph of numbers : Her accomplishment was not simply a triumph of numbers; it represented the cumulative outcome of disciplined administration, strategic engagement, operational efficiency and the collective dedication of officers and stakeholders who shared her vision for a more productive and responsive Customs Command.
Indeed, the name Comptroller Hauwa Abubakar has become synonymous with diligence, resilience, integrity and professionalism. After an illustrious 35-year career in the Nigeria Customs Service, her progression through the ranks reflected not only experience accumulated over decades, but also a sustained mastery of Customs operations and administration.
Her tenure at the Lagos Free Trade Zone Command further reinforced that reputation. Against the backdrop of a traditionally demanding operational environment, Comptroller Abubakar demonstrated that gender constitutes no impediment to exceptional performance. Rather, through competence, courage and consistency, she rose above every perceived barrier and delivered a scorecard that has left an enduring imprint on the Command.
Aside revenue collection, her administration placed considerable emphasis on stakeholder relations, institutional collaboration and the welfare of personnel. She recognised that an efficient Customs formation is built not only on enforcement and revenue assurance, but also on the morale, commitment and well-being of the officers entrusted with carrying out the Service’s mandate.
The transition of leadership at the Lagos Free Trade Zone Command therefore marked more than a routine administrative handover. It represented the closing of a distinguished chapter and the opening of a new one, as Deputy Comptroller O. Kukoyi assumed responsibility for the Command following Comptroller Abubakar’s retirement after 35 years of meritorious service to the nation.
At her valedictory ceremony, Comptroller Abubakar expressed profound appreciation to CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, and the Management of the Service for the opportunity to serve, while also acknowledging the contributions of officers, stakeholders and partner agencies whose support contributed to the achievements recorded during her career.
Reflection : Reflecting on her tenure, she attributed the Command’s accomplishments to the principles of teamwork, discipline, professionalism and collective responsibility, stressing that sustainable institutional success is rarely the product of one individual but the consequence of a shared commitment to excellence.
She particularly acknowledged the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority ,NEPZA, Free Zone operators, Lekki Port, Lekki Freeport Terminal, sister security and regulatory agencies, customs brokers, traditional institutions and host communities for their cooperation and partnership in advancing operational effectiveness, security and trade facilitation within the Command.
With the baton now passed, DC Kukoyi assumed office with palpable confidence and a clear determination to build upon the foundations laid by his predecessor.
In his remarks, DC Kukoyi commended Comptroller Abubakar for what he described as exceptional accomplishments and pledged to consolidate the gains already recorded by the Command. His administration, he stated, would be anchored on CGC’s strategic policy thrust of Consolidation, Collaboration and Innovation.
The new Area Controller also outlined a forward-looking agenda centred on technology-driven Customs operations, enhanced trade facilitation, stronger enforcement and improved revenue assurance, in consonance with the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business initiatives. Particular emphasis, he noted, would be placed on the National Single Window Project, the One-Stop-Shop Post-Clearance Mechanism and the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System, which he identified as strategic instruments for improving operational efficiency, reducing cargo clearance delays, strengthening compliance and safeguarding government revenue.
For Kukoyi, therefore, the task ahead is not merely to occupy an office recently vacated by a highly accomplished predecessor, but to translate the foundation inherited into an even more dynamic chapter of institutional growth. As Comptroller Abubakar bowed out of active service, she urged officers, stakeholders and partner agencies to extend the same spirit of cooperation to the new administration, reminding them that while leadership positions may change, the overarching objectives of the Nigeria Customs Service remain constant.
She expressed confidence in her successor and wished Kukoyi a successful tenure, while the Command, in turn, wished the retiring Comptroller a peaceful, fulfilling and well-deserved retirement.
Her departure may mark the end of a 35-year professional journey, but the legacy she leaves behind at Lagos Free Trade Zone Command measured in revenue, institutional relationships, operational discipline and human leadership, will remain a significant chapter in the continuing story of the Nigeria Customs Service.
