Apapa Command Nets ₦161bn in 3 Weeks on B’Odogwu Platform as Comptroller Olomu Reassures Stakeholders
Kathy Kyari
The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced revenue collection of ₦161,258,483,474.63 within three weeks of operating the Unified Customs Management System, popularly known as B’Odogwu.
In a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, SC JT Ayagbalo, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu expressed optimism that the platform would soon meet and exceed user expectations.
The CAC said the collection was achieved between August 1 and 22, 2025, despite challenges encountered during the system’s rollout. He attributed the progress to sustained stakeholder engagements spearheaded by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR.
While commending stakeholders for their patience, especially those operating within Apapa Command, Olomu stated:
“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.”
Olomu also highlighted efforts by the NCS leadership to address concerns raised during system downtimes. He noted that the Comptroller-General had initiated dialogue with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to ease the effects of delays, while the Zonal Coordinator, Charles Orbih, had visited Apapa Command to engage importers, licensed customs agents, and freight forwarders directly.
“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.” he added.
Olomu assured that the service’s ICT department was working round the clock to permanently resolve system glitches, stressing that Apapa remains a critical and strategic hub for NCS revenue goals.
To further reduce delays, the Controller revealed additional measures being implemented:
“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.”
He expressed confidence that the B’Odogwu system would eventually facilitate more trade than any ICT platform previously deployed by the NCS, promising that the patience of stakeholders would not be in vain.
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