Author: Olugbenga Fashina

As INEC’s reported exclusion rocks the Ogun PDP, questions emerge over Adebutu’s political judgement, experience and failure to read the handwriting on the wall.The political future of Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, popularly known as Ladi Adebutu, has come under intense scrutiny following reports of his exclusion, alongside his running mate, from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) final list of candidates for the February 6, 2027 governorship election in Ogun State.The development has dealt a potential blow to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which had positioned Adebutu as its principal contender against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The controversy, reportedly…

…As DC Salako Attributes Performance to Increased Export of Manufactured GoodsThe Lilypond Export Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded a total export value of $752,852,452.47 in the third quarter of 2026, representing a 22.14 per cent increase over the $616,152,083.21 recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.The Acting Customs Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller of Customs (DC) Olusola Salako, disclosed this during a press briefing held on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. He attributed the impressive performance largely to increased activities across major export categories, particularly manufactured and value-added goods.Providing a breakdown of the Command’s export…

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over five tanker trucks conveying suspected diverted Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for further investigation in Maiduguri, Borno State. The handover took place on Friday, 23 October 2026, at the Borno/Yobe Area Command Headquarters in Maiduguri, following the interception of the trucks on 6 July 2026 by Operation Whirlwind, a special operation of the NCS, based on credible intelligence. Speaking at the ceremony, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abubakar Aliyu, reaffirmed the operation’s commitment to…

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Edo/Delta Area Command, has commended AHL Energy Free Trade Zone (FTZ), Kwale, Delta State, for its commitment to workplace safety and stakeholder collaboration during a familiarisation visit on Thursday, October 22, 2026. The Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Dominic Ortsen, said the visit was aimed at assessing the facility’s operations and compliance with relevant Customs laws, regulations, and procedures, according to a statement by the Command Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Customs I Peters Josu. Ortsen commended the company for its presentation on operational activities, particularly its commitment to workplace safety, while urging…

The Edo/Delta Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has called for stronger intelligence sharing and coordinated operations with the Nigerian Navy to combat smuggling, strengthen maritime security and protect national revenue. Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Dominic Ortsen, made the call during a familiarisation visit to the Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Warri, Commodore Shehu Tasiu, on Monday, 26 October 2026. Ortsen commended the Navy for its contributions to maritime security and efforts to prevent smuggling and other illicit activities. He stressed the importance of intelligence gathering, vigilance and timely information exchange, noting that these were…

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Murtala Muhammed Airport Command has smashed its daily revenue record by 533 percent with the daily collection of N6,200,000,000 compared to the existing figure of N1,164,480,877.51. The outgoing Customs Area Controller in charge of the Command, Acting Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) of Customs, Godwin Otunla, disclosed this on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, during the official handover of the leadership mantle of the Command to the new Acting Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Mahmood Mundi. Highlighting successes recorded within the year, the Acting ACG explained that officers and men under his leadership sustained notable achievements in…

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) strengthened business relations and enhanced trade facilitation with the US Chamber of Commerce, the US-Africa Business Centre (USAfBC), and the American Business Council (ABC) at a quarterly meeting in the NCS Headquarters’ ICT Auditorium, Maitama, Abuja. During the meeting, held on 28 October 2026, the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, represented by the Deputy Comptroller General of Customs in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, said the visit will strengthen collaboration and economic cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.Niagwan reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to institutional reforms, operational efficiency, digital…

From a family business to the global agricultural commodities market, the Managing Director of Sunbeth Global Concepts Limited is building a legacy of enterprise, innovation, sustainability and economic transformation while inspiring a new generation of Nigerian entrepreneurs.In the evolving landscape of Nigeria’s agricultural sector, where the need to diversify the economy beyond crude oil has become increasingly urgent, the emergence of visionary entrepreneurs capable of connecting local agricultural production with international markets represents a significant opportunity for national development. Among the business leaders making notable contributions to this transformation is Olasunkanmi Owoyemi, the Managing Director of Sunbeth Global Concepts Limited,…

…As Nigeria Prepares for Next Mutual Evaluation The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) described the country’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list on 24 October 2025 as a major national achievement and pledged to ensure the gains are not reversed. The Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi, represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Finance, Administration and Technical Services, DCG Kikelomo Adeola, said this on Monday, 26 October 2026, at a stocktaking meeting held at the Customs headquarters in Abuja. The meeting prepared for Nigeria’s upcoming Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) mutual evaluation.…

Customs chief deepens inter-agency cooperation, tackles operational bottlenecks, prioritises professionalism and trade facilitationDeputy Comptroller of Customs Jacob Onele, the Acting Customs Area Controller of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), is intensifying efforts to strengthen airport security, improve operational efficiency and promote closer collaboration among government agencies and private-sector operators under his jurisdiction.Since assuming leadership of the strategic command, DC Onele has embarked on a series of engagements aimed at reinforcing institutional cooperation, addressing operational challenges, enhancing revenue generation and ensuring that legitimate trade and passenger movement are not unnecessarily impeded.His approach…