The management of Lekki Port has reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to ensure seamless operations, enhanced revenue generation, and the continued growth of the Lekki Deep Seaport as a leading maritime hub in West Africa.
In a statement issued on Monday, the port management pledged “maximum support and cooperation” for Customs, stressing that the agency’s role is critical to unlocking the full economic potential of the modern seaport. The statement followed the recent redeployment of Hauwa Abubakar as the new Customs Area Controller assigned to the Lekki Command.
Welcoming her appointment, Lekki Port described Abubakar as “a round peg in a round hole,” citing her track record of professionalism and contributions to operational excellence. The port’s Managing Director, Wang Qiang, noted that her redeployment was a clear recognition of her outstanding performance during previous postings. He also appreciated the outgoing controller for a job well done, assuring that Lekki Port would maintain close collaboration with the service.
“On behalf of the management of Lekki Port, we commend the Comptroller General of Customs for appointing a thoroughbred professional to lead the Lekki Command. Comptroller Abubakar has earned this role through hard work, and we are confident in her ability to deliver results. She will enjoy our full support as she builds on the solid foundation laid by her predecessor,” Qiang said.
In her remarks, Comptroller Abubakar praised her predecessor’s achievements and promised to sustain and improve upon them. She described Lekki Port as a major asset not just to Nigeria’s maritime sector but to the entire West African sub-region. According to her, the port’s scale and advanced infrastructure offer enormous opportunities that, if harnessed properly, will transform trade and boost government revenue.
She assured that the Customs Service under her leadership would provide the necessary support to help the port realize its objectives of efficiency, revenue growth, and competitiveness.
Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited, the special purpose vehicle awarded the concession by the Nigerian Ports Authority, oversees the development and operation of the port. The container terminal operations are sub-concessioned to Lekki Freeport Terminal, a subsidiary of CMA CGM, one of the world’s largest shipping companies.
As part of its operational framework, Lekki Port hosts a dedicated Customs command, which plays a central role in trade facilitation, cargo clearance, and revenue collection. The success of the port, therefore, depends on effective cooperation between its management and Customs.
Designed with modern infrastructure, deep draught capacity, and cutting-edge technology, Lekki Port is expected to significantly ease congestion at Nigeria’s older ports, particularly Apapa and Tin Can Island, and position the country as a key trade gateway in Africa. Customs efficiency is regarded as a cornerstone for achieving these ambitions, making the collaboration between both institutions vital.
With the arrival of Comptroller Abubakar, both Lekki Port and Customs are optimistic about achieving greater operational synergy, boosting government earnings, and cementing Nigeria’s place as a maritime hub in the region.
