Headlines
NPA decries failed state of Tin Can Port
The Managing Director, who also visited the Sunrise Bus Stop area of the Apapa – Mile 2 highway which had become a failed passage, noted that the poor road situation within this corridor (the major artery in and out of the Tin Can Island Port) remains a huge concern to the Authority.
According to the NPA MD, the improved traffic situation along the Tin Can Port approach from what it used to be some months back is one of the positives from the synergy between the NPA and the Lagos State Government (LASG), which deployed the necessary security and equipment needed to check indiscriminate parking on the road as well as an end to the menace of touts and other criminals.
He observed that some of the internal roads within the Port Complex are in a state of disrepair, but assured that the Authority, in concert with other relevant agencies of Government and the National Assembly, would mobilise resources as soon as possible to fix such roads.
Describing the Tin Can Port Complex as too porous, the NPA MD noted that the wire gauze perimeter fence installed as a means of preventing unauthorized access in line with the International Ships and Ports Facility Security (ISPS) Code recommendation have been pulled down, thus a much stronger wall of protection must be put in place to keep people who do not have any business having access to the complex.
He disclosed that upon a thorough security assessment, the management would be left with no alternative than to use prefab wall fencing since the wire gauze type could not stand the test of time in view of how it was easily damaged.
The MD further said that the visit has availed the management an opportunity to evaluate where the access control gate should be mounted out of the three entry gates into the complex, adding that the Authority, working with the relevant authorities, would move to fast track the necessary public procurement processes.
Speaking on the objective of his visit, the NPA Boss said: “We are here because you recall that we met recently with the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the essence of the visit was to strengthen our partnership with the State Government towards reducing the heavy vehicular congestion, especially in Apapa.
“We have pleaded with Hi-tech, the contractor handling the Apapa-Mile 2 highway, to ensure that the Sunrise Bus Stop end of the road is worked on speedily, even if it is palliatives to make it passable, that is why we are here.
“We want to consolidate on this and consistently ensure that trucks that do business at the ports, picking and dropping off containers, do so without encumbrances.
Bello stated that there had been reports of pilfering, stealing, and vandalisation of containers, which must not be allowed to continue, insisting that the management is poised to put an end to such criminal acts by moving to upgrade the Authority’s security architecture.
On the internal roads within the Tin Can Island Port, “some of the roads within the Port have failed and it is the responsibility of NPA to fix them.”
Bello-Koko decried a situation whereby it takes several hours for a truck to access the Ports because of the failed portions of the internal Port roads, citing several instances where container-laden trucks fell while trying to manoeuvre within the Port, a development that is clearly unacceptable, he said.
On the deployment of the electronic call-up system, code-named”Eto”, he noted that the system is yet to be effective in the Tin Can Port corridor, due to the poor state of the access road, as well as some failed roads within the Port, which reinforces the urgent need to fix these infrastructures as soon as possible.
He however noted that though he is not completely satisfied with the deployment of the “Eto” platform, he disclosed that the platform manager has been given up to the end of June to live up to his game in terms of deploying the necessary assets and human resources, to complement the reconstruction of the roads by government.
On Port automation, he stated that the Authority had directed all the terminal operators and shipping companies to embrace smart solutions to enhance service delivery, “while many of them are making the right investments, the level of compliance is not where it should be, he said.
He posited that there is the need for a Port Community System where every stakeholder including the NPA could interface with one another, adding that although it takes significant resources and time to automate, “it is my hope that all segments of the industry would automate their systems to make Port operations timely and less cumbersome”, Koko admonished.
On corruption and extortion on the Port access roads, he acknowledged that some of the deployed security operatives from the Nigerian Police, LASTMA, Nigerian Armed Forces and NPA Security personnel have been found culpable, while he said strong disciplinary measures in line with public service rules are being taken against these “bag eggs.
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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