Comptroller Atuluku Takes Over Leadership At Area 1 command
By Asuquo Nuwak
Comptroller Atuluku Takes Over Leadership At Area 1 command
••• She promises to 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. And to maintain the tempo of remarkable revenue generation of N187bn in eight months, under the leadership of outgoing Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Hashim.
Area 1 Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Port Harcourt, Rivers state has witnessed a change of leadership, as Comptroller YM Hashim had handed the mantle of leadership of the command to Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.
The event took place recently at the Area 1 command of Nigeria Customs Service in Port Harcourt, with critical stakeholders in attendance.
The said Comptroller YM Hashim, who handed over to Comptroller Salamutu Atuluku had been redeployed to Import and Export unit of the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters in Abuja.
the new Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Atuluku saw the new appointment as test of her resolved to render quality and selfless service to facilitate trade.
Comptroller Atuluku is quoted as stating that: “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 lauded her predecessor, Comptroller YM Hashim for generated N187bn in eight months and opined that it was an impressive milestone to the Service, adding that he has laid a solid foundation in revenue collection, trade facilitation, and stakeholder engagement.
Commenting on the collective efforts of officers, she said she believes strongly in teamwork, as leadership is not about one person, but about collective efforts.
She urged officers and men of the command to give her the same cooperation and commitment they have shown her predecessor, if not more.
She added that together, they will ensure that the command continues to stand tall.
Commenting on the contributions of the stakeholders, Comptroller Atuluku, said as partners in progress, the growth of the command depends on the strength of their collaboration.
She therefore promised to 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.
Comptroller Atuluku who told the media to report objectively, especially in the area of transparency and accountability, also promised to lead with fairness, dedication and human face.
In his welcome address, Comptroller YM Hashim said he was deeply touched to see so many familiar faces, people who have walked with him on this journey, shared in the challenges, and stood by the command through thick and thin.
Comptroller YM Hashim is quoted as stating that: “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”.
Commenting on revenue generation during his tenure as Port Harcourt Area 1 Customs Area Controller, from October 2023 to August 2025, Comptroller YM Hashim said every success has an underlining story.
He cast his mind back to October 2023 when he reported in Area 1 Command, he met a big revenue “shoe” of ₦11.8 billion. But by the end of the year 2023, the command collected a total sum of ₦116.5 billion. When compared with 2022, which stood at ₦92 billion, and ₦24 billion, representing a growth of 26.18 percent.
Commenting on the revenue profile of the command, he said the year 2024 also started afresh with a revenue collection of ₦17,065 billion in January. The report said at the close of 2024, the command recorded over ₦200 billion, surpassing the 2023 figure of ₦116.5 billion by over ₦84 billion, a percentage increase of 72.41percent.
Commenting further on the revenue profile of the command in 2025, he said at the start of 2025, the command was given a revenue target of over ₦216 billion with a monthly average of ₦18.077 billion.
He disclosed that from January to August 2025, the command recorded revenue collection of over ₦187 billion, leaving only about ₦29 billion to go for the year, with four powerful “ember” months remaining.
According to the report, this collection, when compared to the same period in 2024, which stood at ₦142.5 billion, shows a difference of over ₦45 billion, representing a revenue growth of about 32 percent.
He is quoted as saying that: “At this juncture, is sufficient to reiterate that the very big revenue “shoes” of ₦11 billion handed over to me by my predecessor has now expanded as the command recorded a revenue collection of over ₦31 billion in June 2025″.
His words: “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.
The event featured goodwill messages from officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service and stakeholders, including members of ANLCA, and NAGAFF among others. The chairman ANLCA Area 1 command, Dr. Emmanuel Okoh praised Hashim for his good work.
In other goodwill messages, Deputy Controller in charge of International Airport Omagwa, DC SE Ntuen, and Deputy Controller Valuation Customs Area 1 Command, DC MA Ayoola, said Comptroller YM Hashim had increased the revenue and had done a lot on anti smuggling.
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