The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, under the Control of Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, has reassured that the Unified Customs Management System, also known as B’Odogwu will pick up and surpass user expectations soon, and announced a collection of ₦161,258,483,474.63 within three weeks.
The Customs Area Comptroller, who stated this following series of intense stakeholders engagement championed by the CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, said there are prospects of improvement in the B’Odogwu system.
While commending stakeholders for their patience and understanding with the NCS particular those in Apapa Command, the Area Controller disclosed that between August 1 and 22, 2025 the command collected ₦161, 258,483,474.63( One hundred and sixty one billion, four hundred and eighty three thousand, seven hundred and seventy four naira, sixty three kobo) using the B’Odogwu system.
CAC Olomu expressed optimism in the capability of the B’Odogwu platform facilitating more trade than previous ICT systems hitherto deployed by the NCS and that the stakeholders’ patience will not be in vain.
He stated further that the dedicated ICT department of the service has been working round the clock to achieve a permanent solution to the impasse.
Describing Apapa Command as a critical and strategic area for the realisation of the NCS goals, Comptroller Olomu said the CGC has initiated and sustained dialogue with the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council with a view to ameliorate the effects of recent downtime experienced in the course of their transactions.
The stakeholders’ engagements have also cascaded to the command level with the Zonal Coordinator, ACG Charles Orbih physically present at Apapa Command to address the concerns of importers, licensed customs agents and freight forwarding companies.
According to Comptr. Olomu: “I am pleased with the maturity, patience, understanding and support we have received from our stakeholders in the past and most recent times. Their confidence in the Nigeria Customs Service 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,” CAC Olomu stated.
