Scanners, seizures, stakeholder reforms, and a catalogue of records at Nigeria’s busiest airport
At Lagos’ Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA)—the beating heart of West and Central Africa’s aviation business—every second counts. With over a hundred flights daily and thousands of tons of cargo pouring in, the Customs Cargo Command is nothing short of a battlefield of speed, technology, and vigilance.
At the centre of it all is Comptroller Michael Toyin Awe, the man steering the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) operations at MMIA. Since taking over in 2023, Awe has transformed the command into a hub of innovation, discipline, and record-breaking performance—from revenue generation to anti-smuggling operations.
Scanner Commissioning and Tech Breakthroughs
One of his most notable feats came recently with the commissioning of a state-of-the-art scanner at SAHCO, streamlining cargo checks and boosting transparency. Complementing this is the B’Odogwu IT platform, introduced under Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. Though initially resisted by clearing agents, the system has proven revolutionary, eliminating revenue leakages and fast-tracking cargo clearance.
“B’Odogwu has been a game-changer. It has plugged the loopholes in NICIS 2 and strengthened revenue collection. Despite the early hiccups, it is now a patriotic tool driving efficiency,” Awe explained.
Anti-Smuggling Records
Under Awe’s watch, the command recorded landmark seizures in 2025. Among them were:
- 75 bags of pangolin scales (3,765kg) worth ₦772.5m
- Military-grade drones, helmets, and accoutrements smuggled from Turkey
- Paintball markers, cylinders, and ballistic helmets valued at over ₦20m
A daring “controlled delivery” operation in Onitsha nearly turned deadly when armed smugglers attempted to intercept officers. “Our men narrowly escaped, but the culprits didn’t go unpunished. The exporter in Turkey was arrested, repatriated, and convicted,” Awe recounted.
Zero Tolerance for Indiscipline
Discipline has also been a hallmark of Awe’s administration. Cases of pilfering at the cargo sheds were swiftly dealt with: culprits arrested, duties doubled as penalties, and stolen consignments confiscated. “Once you’re caught, you face the full weight of the law. No compromise,” he said.
Stakeholder Relations and Reforms
Initially faced with hostility from freight associations, Awe reshaped relationships by working with respected elders in the industry. Today, the command enjoys cordial relations with FAAN, NCAA, airlines, handlers, and security agencies—a collaboration that has fast-tracked trade facilitation.
Even thorny issues like the invoice compliance crisis were tackled head-on. By compelling airlines to submit sales invoices with imported goods, the command drastically reduced under-declaration and improved revenue compliance by over 50%.
A Presidential Extension
Interestingly, Comptroller Awe was due for retirement in November 2024 and even prepared his handover notes. But in an unexpected twist, President Tinubu approved an extension, keeping him in office. “It was a shock. I was ready to leave, but the Service asked me to stay. Looking back, I’m grateful. The records speak for themselves,” he said.
A Legacy of Excellence
From scanner deployment to anti-smuggling victories, Awe has written a catalogue of breakthroughs at the MMIA Cargo Command. With duty ceilings shattered and partnerships strengthened, he credits his success to teamwork and the guidance of CGC Adeniyi.
“We remain proactive, ready to face end-of-year cargo surges and any smuggling tricks. The more cargo, the more revenue for Nigeria—but fraud will never be tolerated,” he affirmed.
As the busiest gateway into Nigeria, the MMA Cargo Command has never been stronger, thanks to Comptroller Awe’s blend of discipline, innovation, and resilience.hieve this feat,” the CAC submitted.
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