By Amina Ojelabi
The Customs Area Controller of Apapa Port Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, has reassured stakeholders of continuous improvements in the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) new Unified Customs Management System, popularly known as B’Odogwu.
Olomu disclosed that the command collected ₦161.26 billion between August 1 and 22, 2025, despite initial network hitches that accompanied the rollout of the platform.
Speaking after a series of high-level engagements with port stakeholders led by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, Olomu expressed confidence that the homegrown ICT platform will soon surpass the performance of previous systems.
“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 NCS to overcome and resolve all network glitches is not misplaced. It further underscores our shared values as patriotic Nigerians who want to see our indigenous ICT initiative thrive,” he said.
Olomu noted that the CGC has sustained dialogue with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to mitigate the effects of system downtime, including negotiations on demurrage waivers with terminal operators and shipping companies.
He added that Zonal Coordinator Charles Orbih has also been physically present at Apapa Command to engage directly with importers, licensed customs agents, and freight forwarders.
He further revealed that the NCS ICT department is working round the clock to address technical gaps, while officers at Apapa Command have been directed to extend working hours, including weekends, to fast-track clearance processes and reduce delays.
Describing Apapa as a strategic hub for the service’s revenue drive, Olomu reiterated that stakeholders’ patience will not be in vain as the B’Odogwu system stabilizes.
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