Atuluku Assumes Duty as Port Harcourt Area 1 Customs Controller, Pledges to Sustain Growth
Kathy Kyari
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Area 1 Command, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has recorded a leadership transition as Comptroller YM Hashim handed over the reins of the command to Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.
The ceremony, which took place at the Area 1 Command headquarters, was attended by officers, stakeholders, and industry representatives. Comptroller Hashim has been redeployed to the Import and Export Unit at the NCS Headquarters, Abuja.
Comptroller Hashim, who has been redeployed to the Import and Export Unit of the NCS Headquarters in Abuja, expressed gratitude for the support he received during his tenure. “Today is not just about change in leadership, it is about honouring the story of this command, the hard work of its officers, and the bond we have built with our stakeholders. Looking back, I see a command that has grown stronger, not just because of one person, but because of the collective spirit of everyone in this room,” he said.
In her maiden address, Comptroller Atuluku described her appointment as a call to service. “The handover is not just a ceremonial moment, it is a defining point in my career, and I am grateful to God Almighty, and the Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and his management team, for finding me worthy of this responsibility,” she said.
She commended her predecessor for laying a strong foundation, particularly in revenue collection, trade facilitation, and stakeholder engagement. “Comptroller YM Hashim generated ₦187 billion in eight months, an impressive milestone for the Service. He has laid a solid foundation, and I intend to build on it,” she remarked.
Atuluku emphasized teamwork, urging officers and men of the command to give her the same cooperation they extended to her predecessor. “Leadership is not about one person, but about collective efforts,” she noted. She also promised to strengthen collaboration with stakeholders, describing them as “partners in progress.”
Hashim’s tenure at the Area 1 Command was marked by consistent revenue growth. When he assumed office in October 2023, he inherited a revenue collection base of ₦11.8 billion. By the end of 2023, the command had collected ₦116.5 billion, representing a 26.18 percent increase over the 2022 figure of ₦92 billion.
The upward trend continued in 2024, with the command closing the year at over ₦200 billion—₦84 billion higher than the 2023 figure, a 72.41 percent increase. In 2025, the command was given a target of ₦216 billion with a monthly average of ₦18.077 billion. By August 2025, it had already generated ₦187 billion, leaving only about ₦29 billion to meet the annual target.
Hashim highlighted the command’s highest monthly revenue of ₦31 billion recorded in June 2025, reflecting the dedication and sacrifice of officers and men. “These figures are not just numbers, they tell the story of sacrifice, teamwork, and the tireless commitment of officers and men of this command, and their support,” he stated.
The ceremony featured goodwill messages from officers and stakeholders, including the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF). The ANLCA Area 1 Chairman, Dr. Emmanuel Okoh, praised Hashim for his good work, while senior customs officers lauded his achievements in revenue generation and anti-smuggling operations.
In her closing remarks, Comptroller Atuluku pledged to maintain the revenue momentum and deepen stakeholder dialogue. “I will keep the doors of dialogue open, to listen, understand, and work with stakeholders in ways that will strengthen trade, enhance compliance, and bring mutual benefits,” she assured.
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