By Peace Udugba — The Daily Torch Media
The Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has witnessed a leadership transition as Deputy Comptroller Femi Felix Akanni assumes duty as the new Acting Customs Area Controller.
Akanni took over on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, from Deputy Comptroller Bolaji Lukman Adigun, who has been redeployed to Port Harcourt Area II Command, Onne Port.
The handing-over and taking-over ceremony featured an official parade and was attended by the Acting Comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, alongside officers, stakeholders and representatives of partner agencies.
In his valedictory address, the outgoing Acting Customs Area Controller, Adigun, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve, highlighting the achievements recorded during his tenure.
On revenue generation, he disclosed that the Command generated ₦19.4 billion in June 2026, compared with ₦14.36 billion recorded in June 2025.
He said the performance represented an increase of approximately ₦5.04 billion, or 35 per cent, describing it as the highest monthly revenue collection in the history of the Command.
On enforcement activities, Adigun highlighted the seizure of a 40-foot container, TIIU4739360, conveying expired disposable vapes with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦809.69 million.
He also disclosed the interception of a 20-foot container, GESU3900612, containing 440 bags of 25kg expired raw material known as Triple Pressed Stearic Acid, imported from Indonesia, with a DPV of ₦36.56 million.
Another 40-foot container, MSKU4798018, was intercepted at Joliz Terminal for false declaration, with a DPV of ₦5.01 million.
The outgoing controller attributed the achievements to the dedication, professionalism and collective efforts of officers and men of the Command. He also appreciated stakeholders, partner government agencies and the media for their cooperation and support.
He urged officers to extend the same commitment and cooperation to his successor, stressing that although leadership changes, the institutional mandate and responsibilities of the Nigeria Customs Service remain constant.
Adigun also expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, the Management of the Service and the Assistant Comptroller-Generals in charge of Zone A during his tenure for their guidance and support.
In his remarks, the incoming Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Femi Felix Akanni, congratulated his predecessor on his achievements and wished him success in his new assignment.
Akanni thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs and the Management of the Service for the confidence reposed in him, assuring officers and stakeholders of his determination to build on the Command’s achievements.
He pledged to sustain the standards established by his predecessor, provide purposeful leadership and advance the operational objectives of the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command.
In separate goodwill messages, representatives of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) commended Adigun for his leadership, accessibility and cordial relationship with the trading community.
They also pledged their continued cooperation and support for the new Acting Customs Area Controller, expressing optimism about a productive working relationship.
The ceremony ended with renewed commitments to continuity, institutional stability and improved service delivery in the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Area Command.
