The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Seme Area Command has witnessed a significant leadership transition as Shuaibu Kaila officially assumed duty, pledging to strengthen trade facilitation and tighten border security while building on the achievements of his predecessor.
The formal handover ceremony, held at the ECOWAS complex along the busy Seme Border corridor, attracted a large turnout of stakeholders, including traders, clearing agents, and logistics operators.
The gathering briefly slowed activities at the border as participants assembled to witness the change of guard.
In his inaugural remarks, Kaila commended the outgoing Area Controller, Wale Adenuga, for elevating the Command’s operational standards within a relatively short period.
He assured stakeholders that his administration would consolidate existing gains while introducing measures to enhance efficiency, compliance, and national security.
“My focus is clear: to facilitate legitimate trade, improve compliance levels, and strengthen border security in line with national objectives”, Kaila stated, adding that his leadership would prioritise inclusiveness, transparency, and collaboration with all port users.
Adenuga, who has since been redeployed to the NCS Headquarters, described his transfer as part of routine administrative procedures within the Service. He urged stakeholders and officers of the Command to extend maximum cooperation to his successor to ensure continuity and sustained progress.
“It is the prerogative of the Service to post and redeploy officers. I encourage all stakeholders to support the new Area Controller as they have supported me”, he said.
Stakeholders at the event were quick to acknowledge Adenuga’s impact during his tenure, highlighting improvements in traffic management, revenue generation, anti-smuggling operations, and stakeholder relations. One logistics operator, identified as Ojo, noted that the outgoing comptroller “transformed operations significantly within six months”.
Industry observers believe Kaila’s success will hinge on his ability to sustain this momentum while navigating operational challenges and internal dynamics that often accompany reform efforts in high-traffic border commands.
During the ceremony, a Deputy Comptroller also charged officers to uphold professionalism and avoid internal rivalry, emphasising that unity and constructive engagement remain critical to achieving the Command’s mandate.
With renewed expectations, stakeholders expressed optimism that the new leadership would not only sustain the progress recorded under Adenuga but also introduce innovative strategies to further enhance trade efficiency and border security at one of Nigeria’s busiest land borders.