By Lucy Nyambi
The Nigeria Customs Service, Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, has recorded a epoch leadership transition on Wednesday, 30 September 2026. As Comptroller Hauwu Abubakar retired after 35 years of service with a revenue milestone of ₦557 billion, handing over to Deputy Comptroller Olufemi Kukoyi as Acting Customs Area Comptroller.The outgoing comptroller described her retirement as a moment of gratitude, humility and a deep sense of fulfilment, said her tenure recorded significant progress in revenue generation, trade facilitation and stakeholder relations. Abubakar disclosed that the command generated ₦557,020,127,999.18 between January and August 2026, while strengthening collaboration with Free Zone operators, sister agencies, traditional institutions, port management and other stakeholders.“Whatever successes we recorded during my time as Area Controller were not achieved by me alone. They were the product of teamwork, discipline, professionalism, and the collective commitment of every officer and member of staff,” she said.
She also appealed to officers and stakeholders to extend the same loyalty, cooperation and support to her successor, stressing that the command’s objectives remained facilitation of legitimate trade, national security and economic development. “Positions are temporary, but relationships endure,” Abubakar said, urging stakeholders to maintain the cordial relationships built during her tenure.Taking over as Acting Controller, Deputy Controller Olufemi Kukoyi expressed gratitude to the CGC, for the opportunity to serve and commended his predecessor for her accomplishments. “Your tenure in this command has been impactful and exemplary. You have laid a solid and enviable foundation in revenue generation, trade facilitation, enforcement activities and stakeholder management,” he said.Kukoyi pledged to build on the achievements of his predecessor, while urging officers to remain steadfast, disciplined and upright. “Let integrity be our watchword. Let us work as one family, with zero tolerance for compromise and unprofessional conduct,” he said.After the formal handover, the event took a celebratory turn as colleagues, friends and stakeholders gathered to honour Abubakar and mark the end of her 35-year career.
The outgoing controller used the occasion to give special credit to her officers, particularly for the command’s improved revenue performance from eighth position in the revenue chart to third position by her retirement. “This success is to us, is to the Nigeria Customs, is to the CGC that entrusted me to lead, and I thank God, I did not disappoint him.”The retirement celebration ended on a symbolic note, with Abubakar presenting a gift to Kukoyi, marking not only the conclusion of her tenure but also the beginning of a new chapter for the Lagos Free Trade Zone Command….As DC Kukoyi Assumes LeadershipBy Femi Anamelechi The Nigeria Customs Service, Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, has recorded a historic leadership transition on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, as Comptroller Hauwu Abubakar retired after 35 years of service with a revenue milestone of ₦557 billion, handing over to Deputy Comptroller Olufemi Kukoyi as Acting Customs Area Controller.Abubakar, who described her retirement as a moment of gratitude, humility and a deep sense of fulfilment, said her tenure recorded significant progress in revenue generation, trade facilitation and stakeholder relations. She disclosed that the command generated ₦557,020,127,999.18 between January and August 2026, while strengthening collaboration with Free Zone operators, sister agencies, traditional institutions, port management and other stakeholders.
“Whatever successes we recorded during my time as Area Controller were not achieved by me alone. They were the product of teamwork, discipline, professionalism, and the collective commitment of every officer and member of staff,” she said.She also appealed to officers and stakeholders to extend the same loyalty, cooperation and support to her successor, stressing that the command’s objectives remained facilitation of legitimate trade, national security and economic development. “Positions are temporary, but relationships endure,” Abubakar said, urging stakeholders to maintain the cordial relationships built during her tenure.Taking over as Acting Controller, Deputy Controller Olufemi Kukoyi expressed gratitude to the CGC, for the opportunity to serve and commended his predecessor for her accomplishments. “Your tenure in this command has been impactful and exemplary. You have laid a solid and enviable foundation in revenue generation, trade facilitation, enforcement activities and stakeholder management,” he said.Kukoyi pledged to build on the achievements of his predecessor, while urging officers to remain steadfast, disciplined and upright.
“Let integrity be our watchword. Let us work as one family, with zero tolerance for compromise and unprofessional conduct,” he said.After the formal handover, the event took a celebratory turn as colleagues, friends and stakeholders gathered to honour Abubakar and mark the end of her 35-year career. The outgoing controller used the occasion to give special credit to her officers, particularly for the command’s improved revenue performance from eighth position in the revenue chart to third position by her retirement. “This success is to us, is to the Nigeria Customs, is to the CGC that entrusted me to lead, and I thank God, I did not disappoint him.”The retirement celebration ended on a symbolic note, with Abubakar presenting a gift to Kukoyi, marking not only the conclusion of her tenure but also the beginning of a new chapter for the Lagos Free Trade Zone Command.
