Apapa Customs Collects ₦161bn Through B’Odogwu Platform in 3 Weeks

The Apapa Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a collection of ₦161,258,483,474.63 through the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), also known as B’Odogwu within three weeks.

This is as the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Babatunde Olomu has given reassurances that the B’Odogwu platform will pick up and surpass user expectations soon.

Comptroller Olomu who stated this following series of intense stakeholders engagement championed by the Controller General of Customs (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 Apapa Command, he disclosed that the ₦161, 258,483,474.63 collection via the B’Odogwu system was achieved between August 1 and 22, 2025.

This is according to a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs, Tunde Ayagbalo made available to Thelensng on Monday.

Comptroller 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 statement noted that stakeholders’ engagements have also cascaded to the command level with the Zonal Coordinator, Charles Orbih 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 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” Comptroller Olomu said.