Customs Area Controller of Apapa Port Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, has given reassurances that the Unified Customs Management System, also known as B’Odogwu, will pick up and surpass user expectations soon and announced a collection of N161bn within three weeks.
Comptroller Olomu, who stated the following series of intense stakeholders engagement championed by the CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said there are prospects of improvement in the B’Odogwu system.
While commending stakeholders for their patience and understanding with the NCS, particularly those in the Apapa Command, the Area Controller disclosed that between August 1 and 22, 2025, the command collected N161billion using the B’Odogwu system
He expressed optimism that the B’Odogwu platform could facilitate more trade than previous ICT systems deployed by the NCS and that the stakeholders’ patience will not be in vain.
He further stated that the service’s dedicated ICT department had been working around the clock to achieve a permanent solution to the impasse.
Describing Apapa Command as a critical and strategic area for realising the NCS goals, Comptroller Olomu said the CGC had initiated and sustained dialogue with the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council to ameliorate the effects of recent downtime experienced during transactions.
The stakeholders’ engagements have also cascaded to the command level with the Zonal Coordinator, Charles Orbih, who is physically present at Apapa Command to address the concerns of importers, licensed customs agents, and freight forwarding companies.
“I am pleased with the maturity, patience, understanding and support we have received from our stakeholders in the past and most recently. Their confidence in the Nigeria Customs Service’s ability to overcome and resolve all network glitches is not misplaced. It further underscores our shared values as patriotic Nigerians who want to see our homegrown ICT initiative thrive.”
“Let me restate that the CGC is deeply concerned and persistently overseeing the solution process while interfacing with sister government agencies like the Nigerian Shippers Council to mediate the process of demurrage waivers with terminal operators and shipping companies”.
“Beyond the usual Monday to Friday work, I have directed our officers to work extra hours and weekends to fasten the process of clearing the backlog of undone jobs and reduce delays associated with conventional closing periods” Comptroller Olomu said.
