Kukoyi Takes Over From Abubakar at Lagos Free Trade Zone Customs

Deputy Comptroller of Customs Olufemi Kukoyi has assumed duty as Acting Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, following the retirement of Comptroller Hauwa Abubakar.

Kukoyi officially took charge on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, commending his predecessor for laying what he described as a solid foundation in revenue generation, trade facilitation, enforcement, and stakeholder engagement. He wished Abubakar a peaceful and fulfilling retirement after her years of service to the NCS.

The new Acting Area Controller pledged to consolidate on past achievements through greater collaboration, innovation, and discipline. He expressed appreciation to Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adeniyi, for entrusting him with the responsibility, assuring that he would not take the opportunity for granted.

Kukoyi outlined his mandate to ensure maximum revenue collection, strengthen trade facilitation, enhance border security through watertight enforcement, uphold strict discipline among officers, drive technology-enabled, transparent, and time-bound processes, and support the implementation of the National Single Window and One-Stop Shop mechanism.

He emphasized that the command would maintain zero tolerance for compromise, aiming to make the Lagos Free Trade Zone a reference point for efficient customs administration.

The leadership change comes on the heels of a strong revenue performance under Abubakar. Between January and June 2026, the command generated ₦408.8 billion, representing a 28.85% increase compared to the ₦317.3 billion collected in the same period of 2025.

Abubakar attributed the growth to deliberate strategies focused on strengthening compliance, and improving operational efficiency, deepening stakeholder engagement within the Free Trade Zones and Lekki Port

She credited officers and men of the command for their professionalism and commitment, noting that their efforts boosted revenue performance and reinforced the confidence of the trading community.

The retired controller also disclosed that June 2026 marked the command’s highest monthly revenue since inception, with ₦87.10 billion collected.

With Kukoyi now at the helm, expectations are high that the command will build on this momentum, further advancing trade facilitation, enforcement, technology adoption, and stakeholder relations.