Ex-Apapa Customs PRO, Nwala Assumes Duty as Acting Controller for Cross River/Calabar FTZ/Akwa Ibom Command

Deputy Comptroller Nkiru Nwala, former Public Relations Officer of the Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has officially assumed duty as Acting Customs Area Controller of the Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command.

Nwala took over on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, during a formal handover ceremony at the Customs House in Calabar. She pledged to strengthen revenue generation, facilitate legitimate trade, and intensify the fight against smuggling.

Expressing gratitude to Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and the NCS management for their confidence, Nwala described the command as strategically vital to Nigeria’s revenue, trade facilitation, and border security. The command oversees operations at the Calabar seaport, the Free Trade Zone, and key border corridors across Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.

Outlining her priorities, Nwala identified revenue generation and compliance, trade facilitation, border and economic security, as well as professionalism and partnership as the key areas of focus of her administration.

She pledged to strengthen revenue collection in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, encourage voluntary compliance and ease legitimate trade while ensuring strict enforcement against smuggling and other activities threatening Nigeria’s economic and security interests.

The acting controller particularly highlighted the Mfum–Ekok border corridor as an area requiring sustained attention to curb smuggling and strengthen border security.

She 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.

According to her, effective customs administration depends on partnerships built on fairness, transparency, mutual respect and compliance with the law.

Nwala acknowledged the achievements of her predecessor, Comptroller Momodu Giwah Dauda, and pledged to consolidate on his successes. She assured officers, stakeholders, and host communities of her commitment to integrity, responsive trade facilitation, and safeguarding Nigeria’s economic and security interests.