The Area Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Command, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, has expressed concern over the proliferation of checkpoints along the Lagos–Badagry corridor, describing them as obstacles to trade facilitation and economic growth.
Adenuga made this known during a courtesy visit by the executive members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, to the Seme Command on Wednesday.
He said the presence of multiple security checkpoints has become a serious impediment to seamless trade, warning that such practices could discourage genuine business transactions.
“We have far too many checkpoints operated by various security agencies along the Badagry axis.
Many of these checkpoints should not exist in the first place,” he said.“This situation is embarrassing and could hurt Nigeria’s economy, as traders may begin to avoid doing business with us due to these bottlenecks.”
The comptroller explained that only two checkpoints—Gbagi and Agbara—are officially recognised by Customs management, while others are illegal and counterproductive.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to boosting revenue and combating smuggling, disclosing that the Seme Command generated ₦1.5 billion in revenue last month, a 182 per cent increase, and is projected to hit ₦2 billion in October.
Adenuga called for more public enlightenment on the impact of multiple checkpoints, particularly how they contribute to higher prices of goods and discourage cross-border trade.
The NUJ Lagos Chairman, Mr. Adeleye Ajayi, commended the Customs Command for its professionalism and achievements in revenue generation, trade facilitation, and border security.
Ajayi, who led a delegation of journalists, confirmed the existence of multiple checkpoints along the Badagry-Seme corridor and urged the authorities to urgently address the situation.
He praised Customs officers at the Seme Border for their professionalism and dedication despite operational challenges, noting their efforts in curbing smuggling, improving inspection processes, and promoting transparency.
The visit also featured the presentation of a plaque to the NUJ Chairman by Comptroller Adenuga in recognition of his contributions to national development.
Reporting by Taoreed Abdullahi