NEWS
COMPTROLLER KOLA OLADEJI: THE TRAILBLAZING CUSTOMS CHIEF WHO TRANSFORMED BORDER SECURITY AND REVENUE GENERATION AT FOU ZONE A
In the often chaotic landscape of Nigeria’s border security and revenue collection, one individual has emerged as a transformative leader: Comptroller Kola Oladeji, the immediate past Comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A. Over the course of his 12-month tenure, Oladeji has not only revolutionized Customs operations within that region but has also set a new standard for effective, compassionate, and intelligent border protection in 21st-century Africa. His strategic interventions and leadership approach have created a model that may pose a significant challenge for his successor to fill the substantial gaps left by his redeployment.
Comptroller Oladeji attributes his remarkable achievements to the unwavering support and guidance he received from the current Comptroller General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, as well as the collaboration from all members of the Management of the Service. This backing did not only facilitated smoother operations but also empowered him to fulfill his mandate with remarkable efficiency. Under his leadership, the FOU Zone A experienced enhanced operational effectiveness, improved revenue collection, and strengthened border security measures, paving the way for a more organized and secure customs process that benefits both the government and the citizens.
The data available presents a compelling narrative of success; however, it is important to note that as of Wednesday, April 23, there was a noticeable absence of FOU Zone A operatives on the roads of Lagos. Despite this lack of visible presence, the FOU ‘A’, led by the former Comptroller Oladeji, continued to fulfill its primary mission effectively. In recent operations, the unit conducted significant seizures, including a cache of arms and ammunition in Oshodi, Lagos, all based on reliable intelligence. Remarkably, these operations were carried out without seeking media attention, underscoring the commitment of the team to their duties and the delicate nature of their work. Such efforts highlight the ongoing commitment to maintaining security and public safety, even amidst challenges in visibility and outreach.
The impressive performance he has displayed is a direct extension of the outstanding work he accomplished while serving as the Coordinator of the Joint Border Patrol Team for the North West Zone – Sector 2. During his tenure in this role, he not only demonstrated strong leadership and strategic planning but also fostered collaboration among various agencies to enhance border security. His successful initiatives and commitment to excellence in this position ultimately paved the way for his transition to the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, where he continues to build on his accomplishments and drive positive results.
When Oladeji took the helm at the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, few could have anticipated the remarkable turnaround that would follow. Under his leadership, Zone A exceeded its 2024 revenue target by an astonishing 57.6%, transforming it into Nigeria’s premier revenue-generating unit within the Customs Service. Faced with the challenge of operating without direct control over any major ports, Oladeji and his dedicated team set an ambitious approved revenue target of ₦569 million. Through strategic initiatives, heightened enforcement, and intensified anti-smuggling operations, they achieved a staggering revenue collection of ₦896 million. This achievement not only underscores Oladeji’s exceptional leadership skills but also reflects his ability to innovate and maximize resources in a challenging environment.
But Oladeji’s impact wasn’t just about the figures. It was about a total overhaul; changing the way things were done shattering off mediocrity. The days of violent clashes with smugglers are behind us. In their place is “Operation Swift Sting” – a smart, intelligence-driven strategy that blends the latest surveillance tech with good old-fashioned detective work. The outcomes have been nothing short of amazing: ₦18 billion worth of contraband seized, including 10,000 donkey skins valued at ₦8 billion that were just moments away from being illegally exported.
One of the most telling seizures was the interception of 11,870 cutlasses, which sent shockwaves through criminal networks in the Southwest. This wasn’t just a Customs operation; it was a proactive move to prevent potential violence. Other seizures read like a list of threats to national security: 50,000 bags of foreign rice that could harm local farmers, 191,000 litres of diverted PMS, 7,861kg of cannabis, and 37,630 doses of Tramadol – each interception a significant step against the forces undermining Nigeria’s stability.
What set Oladeji’s approach apart wasn’t just what he seized, but how he did it. His philosophy was refreshingly straightforward: “We don’t chase smugglers – we outsmart them.” This mindset led to a revenue surge in July 2024, reaching ₦133 million, a 245% increase from the previous year, achieved not through brute force but through careful document checks and demand notices. It proved that brains are far more effective than brawn in customs operations.
The House of Representatives Committee on Customs witnessed this transformation firsthand during their oversight visit. Committee Chairman Leke Abejide didn’t hold back: “What we’ve seen here redefines Customs excellence.” In an organization often linked with controversy, Oladeji built something truly remarkable – a high-performance operation that resists corruption while balancing strict enforcement with community engagement.
As Nigeria faces an economic crossroads, the Oladeji model offers more than just success stories; it provides a roadmap. A roadmap for how technology can outsmart smuggling networks. A roadmap showing that revenue generation and humane enforcement can go hand in hand. And, most importantly, a roadmap highlighting how visionary leadership can turn even the toughest government institutions around.
With the Fourth Mainland Bridge and Lekki Deep Sea Port set to open soon, Oladeji’s strategic position allows him to achieve even greater results. If he’s accomplished this much in just 15 months, imagine the possibilities if his innovative approach were applied nationwide. In a time that craves transformative leadership, Kola Oladeji has not only raised the bar for customs operations – he’s demonstrated what’s achievable when skill, creativity, and courage come together in Nigeria’s public service.
The takeaway is clear: Nigeria’s fight for economic security doesn’t need more weapons – it needs more leaders like Oladeji. Leaders who recognize that true security comes not from guns, but from the smart use of law, technology, and, above all, principled leadership. A remarkable feat of Comptroller Oladeji ‘s tenure was the huge quantum of seizures recorded without firing a single shot at any Nigerian, nor recording a Protest of Nigerians. As his reforms gain national attention, one truth stands out: this is what happens when Nigeria’s brightest minds are given the chance to serve.
In a significant boost to youth empowerment and alternative energy transportation, the Federal Government has officially commissioned a new Automotive Training Centre in Gusau, Zamfara State. The facility has already commenced operations with an inaugural cohort of 100 youths trained in mechatronics a specialized field combining mechanical and electronic engineering specifically focused on the repair of both petrol and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered tricycles and motorcycles.The project was executed through a strategic partnership between the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) and the Zamfara State office of the Made in Nigeria Special Project. The initiative is designed to address two critical national challenges: rising youth unemployment and the need for a skilled workforce capable of maintaining the growing fleet of CNG-powered vehicles, which are being promoted as a cheaper and cleaner alternative to petrol-only engines.Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Zamfara State Governor, Dr Dauda Lawal, hailed the centre as a transformative step forward. “This is not just about building a workshop; it is about building futures,” Governor Lawal stated. He emphasized that the centre aligns seamlessly with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes job creation and economic diversification, while also reflecting his administration’s commitment to developing skilled manpower across the state. He noted that the focus on CNG technology is particularly timely, given the federal government’s push to lower transportation costs following the removal of fuel subsidies.Reinforcing the federal perspective, the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, reaffirmed the government’s broader vision for the automotive sector. He highlighted that the Gusau centre is part of a nationwide strategy to expand Nigeria’s automotive industry through increased local production, the establishment of industrial hubs, and strategic partnerships with global investors. “We are moving from a culture of importing fully built vehicles to one where Nigerians design, assemble, and maintain our own transportation solutions,” Senator Enoh remarked. He added that mechatronics training is critical for the next generation of automotive engineers, who will be essential as the country transitions toward more sustainable fuel sources.Local community leaders and representatives of the trained youths expressed optimism about the initiative. For many of the graduates, the certification offers a viable pathway out of economic hardship, enabling them to set up their own repair workshops or gain employment in the formal automotive sector. The NADDC has indicated that similar training centres are being planned for other states, with the aim of creating a national network of CNG-compatible repair and maintenance hubs.
NEWS
Governor Dauda Lawal names executive secretaries for two agencies, appoints ZACADEP coordinator
Zamfara State Governor, Dr Dauda Lawal has approved the appointment of three qualified citizens to head two key state government agencies and a major development project. Disclosing the approval, the Secretary to the Zamfara State Government, Malam Abubakar Mohammad Nakwada, said the appointments are aimed at strengthening the government’s ongoing reforms and service delivery initiatives in the areas of public health, agriculture, livestock development and community-based interventions. Dr. Muhammad Habibu Yelwa is appointed as the new Executive Secretary of the Zamfara State Substance Abuse and Control Agency, while Dr. Usman Ismaila Gusau is named as the Executive Secretary of the Zamfara State Livestock Agency. Similarly, Governor Lawal has reappointed Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed Nakwada as the State Project Coordinator of the Zamfara State Agricultural and Community Development Project (ZACADEP). These appointments take immediate effect.Dr. Muhammad Habibu Yelwa is a seasoned medical practitioner and administrator with extensive experience across the health, social welfare and agricultural sectors. He has served as Permanent Secretary in several ministries and contributed to major policy and institutional reforms in the state. Dr. Usman Ismaila Gusau is a veterinary medicine specialist and public health expert with over twenty-five years of professional experience in veterinary services, epidemiology, livestock health management, and public sector administration. Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed Nakwada is an experienced agricultural development expert with decades of engagement in agricultural extension, project management, IFAD-supported programmes, and community development initiatives. He currently serves as State Project Coordinator for ISDB ZACADEP. Governor Lawal urged the appointees to deploy their knowledge, administrative experience, and sector-specific expertise to drive impactful development in their respective assignments, in line with his administration’s Rescue Agenda.
NEWS
EID EL-ADHA 2026: Governor Dauda Lawal Urges Increased Prayers for Peace, Hails Return of Displaced Communities
As Muslims across the world celebrate Eid al-Adha 2026 yesterday, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has called on the faithful to intensify prayers for lasting peace in the state and Nigeria at large. The governor made the appeal in a statewide broadcast on Wednesday, ahead of the Eid prayers.
Eid al-Adha, known as the “Festival of Sacrifice,” is observed annually by Muslims on the 10th day of Dhulhijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The festival commemorates the unwavering obedience and devotion of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.), who was willing to sacrifice his son Isma’il in submission to Allah’s (SWT) command an act replaced by divine intervention with a ram.
In his address, Governor Lawal reflected on the spiritual significance of the season, noting that the sacrificial rite not only honours Prophet Ibrahim’s submission but also forms an essential part of the Hajj rituals for pilgrims currently in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
“I felicitate with the Muslims on the occasion of Eid al-Adha 2026,” the governor said. “The sacrifice performed during Eid is symbolic of Prophet Ibrahim’s submission and is also part of the Hajj rites for pilgrims.”
The governor specifically called on residents of Zamfara, particularly those undertaking the pilgrimage, to remain steadfast in prayers for the state and the nation.
“We have made significant progress in the fight against banditry, which is why dispersed communities are now returning to their homes,” Lawal stated. He cited a recent milestone: “Last week, we successfully returned thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral community of Fegin Kanawa Village in Gusau Local Government Area after over a year of displacement.”
According to officials, the village had been abandoned due to repeated bandit attacks, forcing residents to seek refuge in overcrowded camps or host communities. The successful return of the IDPs marks one of the administration’s key achievements in its ongoing security and reconstruction efforts.
Governor Lawal expressed gratitude to Allah for enabling the state to witness what he described as a “historic” achievement the airlift of pilgrims from Gusau International Airport, which has now resumed full operations after previous disruptions.
“We are committed to ensuring the safe return of all displaced persons to their homes. Such successes are only possible due to our collective prayers. I urge us to pray more, especially during sacred religious festivals,” he added.
The governor concluded his message with warm wishes: “I wish everyone a peaceful Eid celebration.”
Following the broadcast, Governor Lawal joined thousands of worshippers at the Gusau Central Eid prayer ground, where he observed the two-unit Eid prayer and listened to the customary sermon (khutbah). Security was notably heightened across the state, with checkpoints and patrols deployed to prevent any attacks during the celebrations.
Zamfara, like much of Nigeria’s North-West region, has faced years of insecurity fueled by banditry, kidnapping, and communal clashes. The governor’s emphasis on prayer reflects a broader strategy that combines military offensives, community dialogue, and spiritual advocacy to restore normalcy.
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