KLT Customs Records 35% Revenue Increase, Boosts Compliance
The Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a significant improvements in revenue generation, enforcement and operational efficiency.
Speaking to newsmen in Lagos, Acting Comptroller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Lukman Adigun, said his administration is focused on revenue optimisation, operational discipline, intelligence-driven enforcement, compliance and trade facilitation, an approach that is beginning to produce measurable results.
Adigun disclosed that the he Command generated N19.404 billion in June 2026, compared with N14.363 billion recorded in June 2025, representing an increase of N5.041 billion or 35 per cent year-on-year.
The performance he said, is attributed to closer monitoring of revenue processes, improved cargo examination, enhanced compliance and efforts to identify and block leakages within the system.
Rather than focusing solely on monthly revenue targets, the Command has adopted a broader strategy aimed at strengthening the assessment process, ensuring compliance by importers and agents, and improving the deployment of officers for effective cargo examination and enforcement.
Adigun, who previously served at the Port Harcourt Area II Command, Onne, has brought his experience to bear at KLT by emphasising accountability and adherence to established Customs procedures.
Beyond revenue, the Command has also intensified intelligence-led enforcement. A major recent seizure was the interception of a 40-foot container, number TIIU4739360, containing 484 cartons or 182,340 pieces of disposable vape products with expiry dates ranging from 2022 to 2026.
The consignment had a Duty Paid Value of N809.698 million.
The interception, according to the Command’s enforcement approach, demonstrates the importance of intelligence gathering, risk management and detailed cargo examination in preventing prohibited or harmful goods from entering the country.
The expired products also raised public health concerns, underscoring the broader responsibility of the Customs Service beyond revenue collection to include border protection and the safeguarding of the Nigerian market.
At the same time, the KLT Command is placing greater emphasis on voluntary compliance and trade facilitation. The promotion of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Programme and Advance Ruling system is expected to provide greater predictability for compliant traders while allowing Customs to concentrate its enforcement resources on high-risk consignments.
The command boss explained that, the emerging gains will need to be sustained while the 35 per cent rise in revenue represents a strong performance, the longer-term test will be whether the Command can institutionalise the systems responsible for the increase and maintain the momentum over successive months.
He said:”Similarly, the seizure of expired vape products demonstrates effective enforcement, but sustained intelligence gathering and risk-based controls will be required to consistently identify and intercept non-compliant cargo before it reaches the Nigerian market.
“KLT also continues to face broader structural challenges, including cargo volumes, terminal capacity, infrastructure and the competitiveness of lighter-terminal operations. These issues require collaboration among Customs, terminal operators, shipping companies, freight forwarders and other relevant agencies.
“For now, however, the figures and enforcement activities indicate a changing operational culture at KLT, with revenue generation increasingly being pursued alongside compliance, trade facilitation, accountability and national economic protection.”
