Deputy Comptroller Olisa Alumanah has assumed office as Acting Customs Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command,
Alumanah succeeds Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila, who has been elevated to the rank of Acting Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs.
The leadership transition brought Kaila’s eight-month tenure at the border command to an end.
In his farewell remarks, Kaila highlighted the Command’s revenue performance, disclosing that it generated more than ₦27 billion between March and October 2026, compared with ₦8 billion recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
The performance represents an increase of ₦19 billion, translating to a 233 per cent growth in revenue.
Anti-Smuggling Successes
He attributed the achievement, alongside the Command’s anti-smuggling successes, to intelligence-led operations, improved surveillance, effective information sharing and stronger operational coordination.
Kaila urged officers to sustain the momentum by upholding discipline, integrity, accountability, loyalty and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
He also expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the management of the Service for the confidence reposed in him and the opportunity to serve at a higher level.
In his inaugural address, Alumanah pledged to consolidate on the achievements of his predecessor while strengthening revenue generation, legitimate trade facilitation and border security.
He acknowledged Kaila’s contributions to the Command, particularly in improving revenue performance, strengthening intelligence collaboration, combating smuggling and promoting operational discipline.
The new Acting Area Controller outlined seven priority areas for his administration: revenue collection; facilitation of legitimate trade; discipline, integrity and professional conduct; teamwork and collective responsibility; stakeholder and inter-agency collaboration; avoidance of unnecessary operational challenges; and modernisation, innovation and the adoption of global best practices.
Alumanah described Seme as a strategic component of Nigeria’s border management architecture, stressing the need for professionalism, cooperation and effective service delivery.
Also speaking, the Head of Benin Customs and Co-Chair of the Seme-Krake Joint Border Post, Col. Mekoun Parfait, congratulated Kaila on his elevation, describing the appointment as recognition of his competence, experience and professionalism.
The ceremony ended with a renewed commitment by the incoming Acting Area Controller to strengthen inter-agency relations, sustain the Command’s achievements and improve operational efficiency.
