Headlines
NPA, Lagos government restrategise to surmount malignant Apapa traffic gridlock
The NPA boss alongside the Executive Director Marine and Operations, other management staff, including Port Managers of Lagos Ports Complex and Tin Can Island Port Complex, Managing Directors of Apapa Bulk Terminal and Dangote Port Operations among other stakeholders, held a meeting with Mr. Governor and his team at the Lagos House in Marina.
Speaking at the meeting, the NPA Acting MD harped on the need to strengthen enforcement of traffic laws along the Apapa and Tin Can Ports roads.
Bello-Koko stated that the NPA has been inundated with complaints of extortions from truckers, especially by security operatives, including the Military, the Police and NPA Security, demanding money from drivers before accessing the Ports.
He described the ugly practice as a major disincentive to the smooth implementation of the truck call-up system.
Bello-Koko lamented that it has been alleged that no less than thirty “toll-points” have sprung up around the Apapa and Tin Can Port, where bribes are being collected before trucks are allowed into the Port.
Speaking with journalists after a 3 -hour closed-door meeting with the Lagos State Governor, Bello-Koko said “one of the complaints of the truckers has to do with extortion by security operatives, the Army, the Police, the Nigerian Navy and even NPA Security staff.
“We at the NPA have resolved to take the right punitive measures against any of our staff involved in this, we have moved some of them out of Port locations, and we will do further reviews, whoever is found involved, would be appropriately sanctioned.
“Because of the involvement of several security units, many checkpoints have been created, we believe there are over thirty checkpoints within the Apapa and TinCan Port axis, and we believe that this is a major issue causing delays and a whole lot of problems, this was one of the concerns we raised at our meeting with His Excellency,” he said.
The NPA boss acknowledged that the Lagos State Government has been a close partner, especially when it comes to enforcement, both in terms of providing security operatives and monitoring of the “Eto” call-up system, however, said there is a need to further strengthen that collaboration.
He explained that last week after an assessment visit, he directed the “Eto” Project Consultant and operator of the Lilypond Truck Transit Park to redouble their efforts, especially on the deployment of necessary physical and IT infrastructure as well as adequate human resources, to address the gaps and complaints of a delay from Port users.
He disclosed that the Authority has given the TTP company “marching orders” to immediately see to the deployment of these infrastructures, so as to reduce the waiting time of trucks in and out of the Port.
Bello-Koko further said that the meeting discussed the matter of poor access roads, especially around Sunrise Bus-stop leading to the Tin Can Port.
According to the NPA Boss “we have stakeholders like Dangote and others who have factories within the Port and each of them may need to bring in about 300 trucks daily, but it has to be done in such a way that their operations do not affect the need of other Port users to send in their trucks or exporters to send in and bring their trucks out freely.
Bello said he was optimistic that the renewed collaboration with the Lagos State Government would bring an end to the perennial gridlock within and around the Apapa metropolis.
He restated that henceforth, trucks that have not been registered or do not have the “Eto” ticket would not have access to the Port.
“We have directed TTP to deploy necessary infrastructure such as bollards, spikes and automated barriers, while CCTVs be fully installed at the port gates (entry and exit points), especially at the TInCan Island Port where such equipment is practically non-existent at the moment.
He also spoke on efforts by the Authority to address the myriad of hiccups associated with the return of empty containers to the Port.
Bello-Koko further said that efforts are on to significantly improve the transfer and processing of exports at the Port.
During his interactive session with Port stakeholders, Governor Sanwo-Olu called on all port users to be alert to their responsibilities in putting an end to the gridlock in Apapa.
He said there was a need for Port service providers, security agencies and NPA to adhere to their Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) as well as invest in the needed infrastructure which would galvanise the “Eto” system to heightened performance.
He assured that the State Government would commence engagements with the petroleum tanker drivers, tank farm owners and the NUPENG Union, to ensure that they are factored into the “Eto” call-up system.
According to Sanwo-Olu, the poor state of the Sunrise Bus-stop corridor has been identified as the major cause of the traffic congestion into the Tin Can Island Port, and there is a need for the contractors to speed up work around that area.
On his part, the General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Jide Oduyoye, said that Port users should expect a renewed vigour from LASTMA in dealing with the traffic situation around the Lagos Ports.
He said, “there are issues of tankers that are not part of the “Eto” system that needs to be part of the system because once the roads are cleared, we suddenly find out that the petrol tankers occupy the roads which makes it look as if nothing has happened.
Customs
Tinubu hails Nigeria’s Customs model as AfCFTA picks local firm for $multi-billion project
Bergmans subsidiary wins 20-year continental customs modernisation contract
Gloria Odion, Maritme reporter
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hailed the emergence of Nigeria’s homegrown Customs modernisation model as a continental benchmark following the selection of a subsidiary of Nigerian-owned Bergmans Security Consultant and Supplies Limited to execute a 20-year, multi-billion-dollar AfCFTA Customs Modernisation Project.
The development, according to the President, represents a major vote of confidence in Nigeria’s growing capacity to develop indigenous technology and expertise capable of powering Africa’s emerging trade architecture.
The project will be implemented by AfriTrade CMP Limited, a subsidiary of Bergmans, and is expected to deploy digital and physical infrastructure for customs processing, cargo tracking, border management and trade-data exchange across participating African countries.
Tinubu’s commendation was contained in a State House statement issued yesterday, Monday, August 10th, 2026, by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The President said the continental deal was particularly significant because another subsidiary of Bergmans, Trade Modernisation Project Limited, is already implementing Nigeria’s Customs Modernisation Programme in partnership with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
He described the development as evidence that solutions developed and tested in Nigeria could now be scaled across the continent.
“What has been built and tested in Nigeria is now providing a model for the continent. This is how African integration should work: Africans building African solutions for African markets,” Tinubu said.
He added that Nigerian institutions and businesses could play a pivotal role in building the technology and infrastructure required to make the African Continental Free Trade Area work effectively.
“Under our Nigeria First policy, we will continue to create opportunities for capable Nigerian businesses to compete at home, across Africa and globally,” the President said.
Tinubu specifically commended Bergmans, AfriTrade CMP Limited, Trade Modernisation Project Limited, the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and Nigerian professionals whose work, he said, had earned continental confidence.
The President said the development also reflected the transformation taking place within the Nigeria Customs Service under Adeniyi, particularly in the areas of digitalisation, institutional reform, trade facilitation and indigenous technology deployment.
AfCFTA endorsement
The continental endorsement gathered momentum during the recent visit of the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Wamkele Mene, to the NCS Headquarters in Abuja, where he inspected the Customs Service’s modernisation platform.
Mene visited the headquarters alongside members of the Senate Committee on Customs led by Senator Jibrin Isah, following a two-day retreat on customs modernisation and reforms.
After witnessing the system in operation, the AfCFTA Secretary-General described B’Odogwu, Nigeria’s indigenous Unified Customs Management System, as a model with potential for wider adoption across Africa.
Mene disclosed that non-African companies had also offered similar solutions but said AfCFTA had opted for an African solution, underscoring the continent’s determination to develop its own expertise and infrastructure.
The endorsement effectively elevates B’Odogwu from a Nigerian Customs digitalisation initiative to a potential template for the continent’s evolving customs administration.
Senator Isah also expressed the Senate committee’s support for the modernisation programme after witnessing the technology in operation, saying members had become ambassadors of the initiative.
B’Odogwu at centre of transformation
First piloted in October 2024, B’Odogwu has become a major component of the NCS modernisation programme, supporting the digitalisation of customs processes and integrating critical functions including cargo tracking, data infrastructure, surveillance, risk management and non-intrusive inspection.
The system is also being integrated with the National Single Window, which was launched in March 2026 as a unified digital gateway for cross-border trade processes.
The integration is expected to improve the speed and transparency of cargo clearance while reducing inefficiencies and strengthening data exchange among agencies involved in international trade.
For Nigeria, the AfCFTA development goes beyond the commercial value of the continental project.
It represents a rare opportunity for the country to export technology, expertise and institutional know-how, rather than merely participate in Africa’s expanding trade market as a consumer.
The development also reinforces the argument that investment in indigenous technology and institutional reform can produce solutions with commercial value beyond Nigeria’s borders.
With AfCFTA seeking to dismantle barriers to intra-African trade, modern customs infrastructure will remain critical to achieving faster cargo clearance, improved revenue collection, effective border controls and seamless exchange of trade information.
The emergence of Nigerian-developed customs technology at the centre of that continental ambition could therefore mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s role in Africa—from being principally a market for imported technology to becoming a provider of strategic trade infrastructure for the continent.
Customs
Customs FOU ‘A’ crushes smuggling ring, seizes N3.24bn worth of contraband, recovers N729m revenue
–-intercepts cannabis, tramadol, rice, vehicles, elephant tusks, other prohibited goods
Funso Olojo, Editor
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ (FOU ‘A’), Ikeja-Lagos, has dealt a heavy blow to smuggling and revenue fraud, intercepting 220 consignments of prohibited and smuggled goods with a combined Duty Paid Value of N3.24 billion and recovering N728.98 million in lost revenue.
The seizures, recorded through a series of intelligence-driven operations, highlight the escalating battle by the Customs Service to shut down illicit trade routes, protect domestic production and plug revenue leakages arising from false declarations, under-valuation and other customs infractions.
Among the major seizures were 4,956 bags of foreign parboiled rice weighing 50kg each, equivalent to eight trailer loads; 12 foreign-used vehicles; 2,683 parcels of synthetic cannabis (Sativa) weighing 1,439.9kg; 49 parcels of Ghanaian Loud weighing 26.1kg; one parcel of crystal methamphetamine weighing 0.35kg and 13 parcels of granular cannabis weighing 1.35kg.
The Unit also intercepted 240,000 tablets of Tramadol, 12,000 tablets of Hypnox and 22 elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg, alongside 964 25-litre jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), representing 24,100 litres.
Other items seized include 26 cartons of foreign vegetable oil, 686 cartons of foreign poultry products, 414 bales of used clothing and 2,947 pieces of used tyres, among other prohibited and smuggled goods.
The Comptroller of FOU ‘A’, Gambo Aliyu, said the N728.98 million revenue recovery represented an important component of the Unit’s enforcement mandate, particularly its efforts to recover government revenue lost through fraudulent trade declarations.
Aliyu warned importers, exporters and licensed customs agents against deliberate attempts to short-change the government, urging them to make accurate declarations and comply fully with applicable customs laws and regulations.
He said the Unit would continue to facilitate legitimate commerce but would show no mercy to operators involved in smuggling, revenue evasion and other forms of economic sabotage.
According to him, the latest seizures demonstrate the importance of intelligence gathering, risk profiling, inter-agency collaboration and intelligence fusion in dismantling sophisticated smuggling networks.
He attributed the Unit’s operational successes to improved intelligence capabilities and cooperation from sister agencies, stakeholders, border communities and members of the public.
Beyond the revenue implications, the seizures have significant economic and public-safety consequences.
The interception of foreign rice, poultry products, vegetable oil, used clothing, tyres and foreign-used vehicles is expected to provide additional protection for local manufacturers and producers already battling the effects of illicit imports.
Similarly, the seizure of large quantities of cannabis, tramadol, crystal methamphetamine and other controlled substances underscores the Customs Service’s growing role in preventing the movement of illicit drugs and potentially harmful pharmaceutical products through Nigeria’s trade corridors.
The recovery of the elephant tusks also reinforces the Service’s contribution to the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking and the protection of endangered species.
Aliyu, however, stressed that FOU ‘A’ was not at war with legitimate trade, insisting that its enforcement strategy was built around striking a balance between strong border control and trade facilitation.
He assured compliant traders that the Service remained committed to a fair, predictable and transparent trading environment, while warning that the Unit would sustain its zero-tolerance posture towards smuggling and revenue fraud.
The Customs boss called for stronger partnership with the business community and the general public, noting that sustained intelligence sharing and vigilance were critical to consolidating the gains recorded in revenue recovery, border security, public safety and economic protection.
He said the NCS, through FOU ‘A’, would continue to align its enforcement operations with the Federal Government’s broader economic agenda by protecting domestic production, promoting compliance, facilitating legitimate trade and blocking the circulation of prohibited and harmful goods.
Analyses
The National Single Window Illusion: Why phase two cannot succeed on paper
Monday Discourse with Nasiru Ibrahim
The official rollout of Phase One of the National Single Window (NSW) was heralded as a monumental leap toward a paperless, automated trade ecosystem.
On paper and within executive dashboards, the achievements are clear: the serialization of Licenses, Certificates, and Permits (LCPO), streamlined electronic manifest transmissions, and integrated risk management for primary regulators like SON and NAFDAC.
Yet, as the steering committee aggressively prepares for the imminent deployment of Phase Two, a severe operational reality check is required.
The claim that the Single Window has successfully “taken off” remains a purely administrative illusion when measured against the brutal, manual friction remaining at our terminal gates.
The core vulnerability of the current transition is the absolute failure to align digital front-end clearances with physical back-end enforcement.
Importers are successfully navigating the centralized National Single Window Portal, obtaining official electronic green lights, only to watch their consignments get trapped by manual human greed the moment the cargo hits the access roads.
Phase Two promises end-to-end electronic customs clearance, full payment digitization, and automated interoperability with the Nigeria Customs Service’s new B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System.
However, if the federal administration continues to pour billions into software updates while leaving parallel manual check-points unpunished, Phase Two will simply become a highly expensive digital facade masking an archaic extortion regime.
True trade facilitation is not a technological achievement; it is a direct function of political will.
The integration of advanced platforms like B’Odogwu across major commands like Apapa and Tin Can proves that our regulatory arms possess the technical capability to automate. The problem is cultural and financial.
Entrenched administrative empires are deliberately preserving parallel manual structures because documentation loops, artificial delays, and manufactured compliance flags remain incredibly lucrative.
For the National Single Window to transition from a policy delusion into a genuine economic catalyst, the state must move past cosmetic celebrations.
The presidency must deploy the executive power required to completely outlaw physical interventions outside the approved digital framework and enforce severe punitive consequences for any agency chief who authorizes parallel verification processes.
Until the gate complies with the portal, the National Single Window project remains grounded.
Chief Ibrahim Nasiru, a public affairs analyst, writes from Abuja
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