For Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and communities around, a distinguished officer with a trade mark of professionalism and an unusual industry has just left in a blaze of honour.
He refused to succumb to the terror of the might associated with anti-smuggling operation at border towns and commands. He rejected the flurry of day and night material overtures and temptation for compromises. Though he lost some men of steel to his dedication to the war against anti-humanity and the commitment to restore the glory of the Service and the nation, he still found courage to remain unwavering and gallant to goals and tasks.
How Oramalugo lost one of his dedicated officers, Tijani Kabiru,his wife and four children to house inferno in Ede,Osun State, last December, is still fresh in memory. It was all about a struggle of forces. But the CAC was pained though and unrelenting. Comptroller Ben Oramalugo,Ph.D is indeed made of sterner steel.
His latest posting to oversee Seme Border, the busiest border town in the West Coast as the new Customs Area Controller (CAC), shows the level of confidence reposed in him by the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi. CACs at border commands are like Ambassadors representing their nation in another country because they are expected to display the intelligence and character needed to interface with different personalities and presidents of other nations in the course of duty. It therefore means that to whom much is given much is expected.
Compt. Oramalugo showed this much in Kebbi Area Command as CAC, where he had been and lately in Oyo/Osun Area Command, which paved way for Seme Border.
He went beyond the core customs responsibilities as outlined by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to aligning customs duty with sustainability practices, social responsibility and aggressive stakeholders’ engagement. No wonder he won numerous awards to his credits in such a short stay of just one year and four months. He made the Command very visible in the media and in his environment. This is unprecedented.
Working with the WCO’s core duties of customs authorities which include: Revenue collection; Trade facilitation; Compliance and enforcement; Security and border control; Compt. Oramalugo left foot prints in the sand of time in Oyo/Osun Area Command.
In his valedictory press briefing on February 5, 2025 in Ibadan, Oyo State, Dr. Oramalugo said, “When I took over the mantle of leadership as the Oyo/Osun Command’s Customs Area Controller, we made a collaborative commitment to performing our tasks with excellence while honoring the Nigeria Customs Service’s basic values. We worked together to address three primary priorities: increasing revenue collection, safeguarding Nigeria’s borders through effective anti-smuggling operations, and guaranteeing compliance with federal fiscal regulations. These duties helped our beloved country’s economic growth while also preventing the introduction of illegal items into the country, which would have had a negative impact on the general public.
“Today, I am pleased to report that we have made tremendous progress in each of these areas, and as such, today’s press briefing will reflect on the Command’s scorecard for the period January to December 2024, as well as the milestones already reached in the year 2025.
Revenue Collection Milestone
He stated, “Before I showcase our achievements for January 2025, I would like to emphasize unequivocally that the Command’s revenue collection in 2024 was exceptional and respectable. In 2024, the command successfully generated ₦82,193,426,334.10k for the Federal Government. The amount collected is 15.3% higher than the amount collected in fiscal year 2023 which stood at ₦71,292,530,398.17k.
According to him, despite the severe economic obstacles encountered, the total revenue received in 2024 is the largest since the inception of the Command. “This achievement in all modesty represents the hard work and dedication of the officers and men under my leadership, as well as our strong collaboration with stakeholders in the business community, in-depth strategic enforcement and improved compliance.
“In the face of the prevailing economic situation and implementation of various fiscal policies to stabilize the country’s economy, I would like to announce that for the month of January 2025 the Oyo/Osun Area Command, has collected the sum of ₦7,804,408,776:88k.
“The sum collected signifies a 10.1% and 14.3% when compared to the sums of ₦7,088,191,138:30k and ₦6,824,954,338:96k collected in the year 2023 and 2024 respectively.
“I would like to point out that the revenue milestone was achieved with the successful implementation of many strategic initiatives aimed at increasing compliance and streamlining our procedures. The Command was able to reduce delays, boost efficiency, and facilitate trade while collecting proper duties by utilizing technology such as the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS II) and taking a proactive approach in addressing legitimate traders’ problems”. He added.
Anti-Smuggling and National Security
Dr. Oramalugo further said that through sustained efforts, the Oyo/Osun Command has achieved tremendous progress in countering unlawful activities that endanger our country’s security and impede the growth of our local industry.
“Due to the interceptions and seizures of uncustomed commodities valued at ₦5,377,759,260:00k in duty-paid value, the command score card for anti-smuggling efforts in 2024 is likewise of massive proportions. In comparison to the duty paid value of ₦451,479,759:00k intercepted and confiscated in 2023, the duty paid value for 2024 represents a 1,091.14% increase.
He added that between December 20th, 2024 to January31st, 2025, the Command intercepted and seized smuggled goods with a duty paid value ₦202,784,000.00k. These items include: 170 Bags (50 kg) foreign parboiled rice valued at ₦14,960,000.00k; 1667 pieces of used tyres with duty paid value of ₦160,032,000.00k; 32 bales of used clothes valued at ₦23,040,000.00k; 4 sacks standing at ₦2,880,000.00k; 2 sacks of used shoes put at ₦1,080,000.00k; 40 kegs of PMS (25 Liters) ₦792,000.00k
“As we carried out these anti-smuggling operations, we also remained focused on protecting the interests of local manufacturers and industries. Our efforts ensured that cheaper, substandard, and harmful goods were kept out of our markets, thereby giving local producers an opportunity to thrive and ensuring the health and safety of our citizens.
“Additionally, we took significant steps to engage with local communities, raising awareness about the dangers of smuggling and its negative impact on national development. Through these outreach programs, we were able to foster stronger collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and the general public, which is crucial for achieving long-term success in the suppression of smuggling within the Command’s area of responsibility.
“As I prepare to take up my new responsibilities, my sincere appreciation goes to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State Engr. Seyi Makinde fsne for his unwavering support to the Command and I also sincerely thank the CGC BA Adeniyi, MFR dsm fnipr psc (+) and the entire management team for their unwavering support. I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to the officers and men of the Oyo/Osun Command for their dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the goals of the Nigeria Customs Service.
“Notably, the collaborative efforts between the command and sister security agencies such as the Nigerian Army, DSS, Airforce and the police, cannot be discounted, as it contributed to numerous successful operations and ensuring that our borders are not exploited by persons with nefarious intentions.
“Finally, I would like to thank the business community as well as patriotic Nigerians for their collaboration which helped us to succeed and also the media for their role in disseminating information, raising awareness, and keeping the public informed of the Command’s efforts. I genuinely appreciate your dedication and assistance in informing the public about the operations of the Oyo/Osun Command of the Nigeria Customs Service.” Dr. Oramalugo noted.
Before his valedictory speech, Compt. Oramalugo had visited the Lead City University, Ibadan, to engage with faculty and students on the vital roles and responsibilities of the NCS. The visit was aimed at educating the academic community on the diverse functions and operations of the NCS, thereby fostering a deeper understanding of the Service’s contribution to the national economy and security.
Oramalugo outlined the core duties of the NCS, to include ensuring compliance with import and export regulations, preventing smuggling, facilitating trade, collecting government revenue, and securing the nation’s borders. He emphasized the critical role that Customs plays in promoting legitimate trade, protecting local industries, and supporting national economic growth.
The visit also served as an opportunity to clarify misconceptions about the Customs Service and to engage in open discussions with academics and students. .
He highlighted the importance of collaboration between the NCS and academic institutions like Lead City University in fostering research and training that supports Nigeria’s development agenda. He encouraged the students and faculty to consider careers in Customs and other law enforcement agencies, stressing the importance of public service in maintaining national integrity.
The Vice-Chancellor of Lead City University, Dr. Kabiru Adeyemo expressed appreciation for the visit and noted that such engagements were essential for strengthening the relationship between academia and public institutions. He praised the Customs leadership for their commitment to awareness-building and knowledge-sharing.
