By Sandra Chukwunyere
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Apapa Command has collected a staggering ₦161,258,483,474.63 in revenue within a mere three weeks, leveraging the Unified Customs Management System, popularly known as B’Odogwu.
As stated in the press release signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SC JT Ayabalo on behalf of the Customs Area Controller (CAC) Comptroller Babatunde Olomu fsi on Monday in Lagos.
The impressive feat has been attributed to the relentless efforts of Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, who has been at the helm of the Command, coupled with the strategic engagement of stakeholders by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
According to Comptroller Olomu, the remarkable revenue collection, recorded between August 1 and 22, 2025, is a testament to the potential of the B’Odogwu platform to revolutionize trade facilitation and revenue generation for the NCS.
He expressed his appreciation for the patience and understanding exhibited by stakeholders, particularly those in Apapa Command, during the teething phase of the new system.
“The B’Odogwu platform, designed to enhance efficiency and transparency in customs operations, has faced some initial hiccups, including network glitches and downtime”
However, Comptroller Olomu assured that the dedicated ICT department of the NCS has been working around the clock to resolve these issues and ensure seamless transactions.
As a critical and strategic command, Apapa Port plays a vital role in realizing the NCS’s goals. CAC acknowledged the significance of sustained dialogue with stakeholders, including the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, to mitigate the effects of recent downtime and address concerns of importers, licensed customs agents, and freight forwarding companies.
The Zonal Coordinator, Charles Orbih, recently visited Apapa Command to engage with stakeholders and address their concerns. Comptroller Olomu praised the stakeholders for their maturity, patience, and support, which he believes is a testament to their confidence in the NCS’s ability to overcome challenges and deliver on its promises.
“The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has been actively involved in resolving the issues plaguing the B’Odogwu system”
According to Comptroller Olomu, the CGC is deeply concerned about the situation and is persistently overseeing the solution process, interfacing with sister government agencies, such as the Nigerian Shippers Council, to mediate demurrage waivers with terminal operators and shipping companies.
To accelerate the clearing of backlogs and reduce delays, Comptroller Olomu has directed his officers to work extra hours and on weekends.
“This move is expected to fast-track the resolution of pending transactions and restore normalcy to customs operations.
The Apapa Command’s impressive revenue collection is a significant milestone for the NCS, demonstrating the potential of the B’Odogwu platform to drive growth and efficiency in customs operations. As the command continues to work towards improving performance, stakeholders can expect enhanced trade facilitation, reduced clearance times, and increased revenue generation”
Newspoint247online.com.ng reports that with Comptroller Olomu at the helm, the Apapa Command is poised to sustain its momentum, leveraging the B’Odogwu platform to achieve greater heights in revenue collection and trade facilitation, while ensuring that the patience and understanding of stakeholders are not in vain.
