N6.2BN IN ONE DAY: OTUNLA LEAVES MMAC ON HISTORIC HIGH

N6.2BN IN ONE DAY: OTUNLA LEAVES MMAC ON HISTORIC HIGH

By Prince Benson Davies

The outgoing Area Controller of the Murtala Muhammed Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Acting Assistant Comptroller-General G.A. Otunla, has bowed out of office on a historic high after the Command recorded an unprecedented single-day revenue collection of N6.2 billion.

The record was achieved on October 9, 2026, and represents an increase of approximately 433 per cent over the Command’s daily target of N1.16 billion.

Otunla disclosed the milestone in his farewell address on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, during the formal handover ceremony to his successor, Deputy Comptroller M.D. Mundi, at the Command’s Conference Room.

According to him, the single-day feat was not an isolated occurrence but the result of deliberate reforms, tightened controls and a renewed commitment to operational efficiency across the Command.

He revealed that between January and October 2026, the Command generated a total revenue of N175.68 billion, a performance that placed the Murtala Muhammed Area Command among the top-performing Commands of the Service.

Otunla attributed the success to measures aimed at blocking revenue leakages, deploying cargo scanning, conducting thorough cargo examinations and implementing intelligence-based risk management strategies.

He said the Command deliberately moved away from routine clearance practices and embraced a system where intelligence, technology and compliance worked together to ensure that the correct duties were collected on every consignment.

On anti-smuggling, Otunla also disclosed the interception and seizure of approximately 178 packages of Tramadol and 50 cartons of Canadian Loud, with a combined Duty Paid Value of N118.23 million. The seized items were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, underscoring the Command’s commitment to national security and public health.

He attributed the achievements to the dedication of officers and men of the Command, the cooperation of sister security agencies and the sustained support of stakeholders.

He expressed deep appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for the confidence reposed in him, noting that the support from management enabled the Command to achieve its record performance.

Otunla’s elevation to Acting Assistant Comptroller-General and posting to Human Resources Development marks a new phase in his career, following his outstanding performance at the strategic Command.

He urged officers to extend the same loyalty, discipline and cooperation to the incoming controller to ensure that the momentum built under his tenure is sustained and surpassed.

The record N6.2 billion single-day collection now stands as a defining legacy of Otunla’s tenure at the Murtala Muhammed Area Command.