Customs
Controversial $3.2 billion Customs Modernisation project haunts Ali in retirement
——as concerned customs officers call for probe
The Eyewitness reporter
Days after the unceremonious exit of Col.(rtd) Hameed Ali from the Nigeria Customs Service as its Comptroller-General, the controversial Customs Modernisation project, which he allegedly midwife, has continued to haunt the former Customs CG, even in retirement.
It could be recalled that the Federal Executive Council(FEC)had in April 2023, approved the NCS modernisation project, also known as e-customs, despite a court order restraining the federal government from going on with the initiative.
The project is meant to digitalize the operations of the customs as well as cede the revenue collection of the service to the contracting firms.
However, some senior officers of the service under the aegis of Concerned Group, have petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to stop the controversial project and probe the whole process.
In a letter by a group of concerned customs officers, the president was informed that the project amounts to a concession of customs modernisation for 20 years and will result in some persons with vested interest taking away government revenue under the Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS) account.
The officers described the customs modernisation that is already a subject of litigation in the Federal High Court as a channel to waste government revenue.
Faulting the award of the modernisation concession, the group alleged that the company handling it was hurriedly registered, without the required technical experience, and could set the gains achieved by the service backward.
According to them, Customs is presently one of the most automated government agencies in the country with a homegrown Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS) that only requires an upgrade to meet the demands of current reality.
They added that NCS is the most modernised customs administration in West and Central Africa handling the highest volume of trade relying on a blend of technology and human expertise.
They queried an intended loan facility for modernisation that will impoverish the country.
They claimed that using the existing modernisation template of the service, the NCS has been able to move from generating N800 billion in 2015 to collecting N2 trillion in 2022 without the controversial concession.
The group said over 3,500 officers of the Nigeria Customs Service have been trained while 150 of them are presently undergoing technical training on various aspects of modernisation required for trade.
Bionica Technologies had dragged the federal government and the Nigeria Customs Service before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
Also sued by Bionica are the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning; the Infrastructure Concession & Regulatory Commission (ICRC); Trade Modernisation Project Limited (TMPL); Huawei Technologies (Nigeria); Bergmans Security Consultants and Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).
Bionica accused the defendants of illegally replacing it as the lead promoter of the Customs modernisation project earlier approved by former President Muhammadu Buhari
In a memo dated September 17, 2019, signed by the late Chief of Staff to the former President, Abba Kyari, the Ministers of Finance and Justice were informed that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the engagement of Bionica Technologies West Africa (lead sponsor), Bergmans Security Consultant & Supplies Ltd (co-sponsor), Africa Finance Corporation (lead financier) and Huawei (lead technical service provider) to establish a special purpose vehicle to enter a 20-year concession arrangement with the Nigeria Customs Service and the ICRC for the Customs modernisation project with the aim of establishing a paperless Customs administration, the so-called e-Customs.
After President Buhari’s approval, the relationship between Bionca and Bergmans went sour.
The dispute between the two companies reportedly arose over the shareholding structure of the original SPV named E-Customs HC Project Limited.
On May 17, 2022, the Nigeria Customs Service announced the signing of the e-Customs public-private partnership contract with Trade Modernisation Project Limited (TMPL).
In the announcement, Bergmans was reportedly recognised as the sponsor of the e-Customs project instead of Bionica.
The announcement was a sequel to the incorporation of TMPL as the new SPV for the Customs modernisation project rather than the E-Customs (HC) Project Limited registered by Bionica and approved by the Federal Government for the project.
Bionica was not included in TPML, which was registered on April 7, 2022 – less than eight weeks before it replaced E-Custom (HC) Project Limited as the SPV for the e-Customs project. The officials of Bionica allege that TMPL’s lead sponsor, Bergmans did not participate in the project development and bidding phase but was somehow brought into the project in 2018 by the former Customs Comptroller-General, Hameed Ali.
“Our service is a regimented institution with sensitive roles to play in national security and economy and should not be distracted by an endless fight between companies struggling to benefit from modernising us.
“This is a big distraction and an impending setback, only the president can stop, “they said in their petition.
Customs
Agricultural produce tops exports of 11,459 containers worth $986.4m through Apapa port in three months
Funso OLOJO / Gloria Odion
The export initiative programme of the present government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is gradually gathering momentum as 11, 459 containers of export goods passed through Apapa ports in the first quarter of 2025.
This export goods were 5,568 containers higher than the 5,891 containers handled in the corresponding period of 2024.
The export goods, facilitated by the Lilypond export command of the Nigeria Customs service, was worth a whooping sum of $986.4m.
This amount was 300 per cent higher than $236.087m total value of exports which passed through the command in the corresponding period of 2024.
These figures showed an increase of $750.357m representing over 318 percent improvement in value over the corresponding period of 2024.
Addressing the press in his office while giving account of the export activities in the first quarter of 2025, Area Controller of the Lilypond export terminal, Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya, revealed that agricultural products of 2723 containers valued at $596.887m topped the pack.
This was followed by manufactured goods of $134.649m, solid minerals of $87.498 m and other category of exports valued at $18.156m.
“On the volume of trade, the command handled a total of 11,459 containers in the first three months of 2025 which is 5,568 containers higher than the 5,891 containers handled in the first quarter of 2024
“We classified the exports into four Agricultural products, manufactured products, solid minerals and others.
“Agricultural produce forms the highest with a total value of $596.887.111.51. This was followed by manufactured goods, which amounted to $329,915,256.,6, while solid minerals were 550,149,763.41. Others amounted to $9,488,166.26.
Agricultural produce for the first quarter of last year was $542,916.347.5,7 manufactured goods $134,649,364,25, solid minerals $87,498,802,44 and others $18,156,786.87.
“In the first quarter of 2025, our cumulative export value amounted to $986,440,397,78. This is more than 300 per cent higher than the $2.36,087,888.53 total value of exports through this command in the first quarter of 2024.
“Comparatively, this shows an increase of $750,352,509.25 representing over 318 per cent improvement in the value.”
Compt. Odusanya stated that the command recorded N7.13 billion under the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS).
He also disclosed that the command strengthened collaboration with exporters by operating an open-door policy that ensures regular interaction and seamless export trade processing.
“Under NESS, which is a statutory payment to the Federal Government on all legitimate goods exported from Nigeria, the command recorded N7,131,463,779.25.
“The Q1 2025 NESS is almost 0.9 per cent higher than the N7,067,351,977.1 recorded under the scheme through our command performance in the first three months of 2024.
“The NCS as a service and the command in particular cannot work in isolation.
” We have always maintained robust engagements with our critical stakeholders and worked strategically with sister government agencies like the NDLEA, SON, NAQS, Police, NAFDAC and others.”
“In addition to collaborating with sister government agencies, I have strengthened our relationship with exporters through operating an open-door policy that ensures regular interaction and seamless export trade processing.”
“I am pleased to announce that user experiences of the LEXC under my watch have continually improved with the prospects of attracting more exporters to the Command and thereby contribute in no small way, the federal government drive for economic diversification through Export.
“Some Nigerian Exporters were among those celebrated by the service three months ago during the formal launch of the authorized economic operator (AED) scheme. For us, this is a testament to the growth of export in the country, especially those using Lagos ports to ship out their goods,” Compt. Odusanya declared.
Customs
Silent jubilation as Comptroller Kola Oladeji is removed as FOU, Zone A boss.
— redeployed to Headquarters
– replaced by Comptroller Shuaibu
–authority spurns his lobby to stay
Funso OLOJO
An air of relief pervaded the entire ambiance of the Federal Operations Unit(FOU), Zone A, Lagos , when the news of the removal of its Controller, Comptroller Kola, filtered in.
The officers, who had silently endured the one -year maximum rule of the Customs chief with philosophical calmness, could barely restrain their effusive joy at the redeployment of the Customs’ Controller.
The Comptroller General of Customs(CGC) Adewale Adeniyi had approved the redeployment of Comptroller Oladeji to the Abuja Headquarters of the service while Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu was redeployed from Idiroko command to replace Oladeji .
It would be recalled that Comptroller Adedeji took over the reins of affairs at the FOU, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja from Compt Kehinde Hussein Ejibunu On April 21, 2024.
Some of the officers who spoke to our reporter on strict condition of confidentiality for fear of reprisal, claimed that the one year rule of Comptroller Adedeji at the FOU U, Zone A, was marked with alleged high- handedness, intimidation and tensed atmosphere due to what they described as his unorthodox administrative style.
” He administered the unit like a maximum ruler with unfriendly miens and larger – than – life attitude. He behaved like an emperor.
“Anytime he was around, the atmosphere was always tensed .
“Most of the officers, especially the senior ones, were barely tolerating him due to the command structure in the service.
” His deployment was a huge relief for us in the unit” an officer declared.
Comptroller Adedeji was also known for the shabby manner he treated journalists whom he always regarded as intruders.
He courted few journalists out of necessity whom he used to give visibility to the activities of the unit.
He however kept majority of the news hoods at arms length.
Generally, he exhibited undisguised disdain for the media practitioners for fear of exposure.
Some stakeholders, especially importers and their agents, also bemoaned the tenure of Comptroller Adedeji whom they accused of anti- trade activities through the operations of his men on the road.
” They often seized containers duly examined and released from the ports and wilfully taken to their office.
” When they got there, they will accuse you of carrying contraband and insisted on reexamining the containers.
” Often times, nothing indiscriminating would be found in most of these held containers.
” Despite that, you can’t get your containers out without parting with something.
” If you refused to do the needful, your containers will remain in their custody.
” Because most importers detest delays, they were often forced to part with something in order to get their goods out of the unit.
“This act of extortion was rampant under the tenure of the Controller” a freight forwarder based on Tin Can Island port alleged.
Despite his shortcomings, the unit under Comptroller Adedeji recorded an appreciable seizure of contraband and smuggled goods.
However, his alleged shortcomings obliterated his supposedly appreciable efforts as the estwhile helmsman of FOU, Zone A, Lagos.
He would surely not be missed by majority of people, including some of his officers, importers, freight forwarders and maritime journalists.
It was also gathered that his spirited effort to lobby the authority to stay as the Unit’s head fell flat on its face as he had allegedly stepped on many powerful toes due to his abrasive behavior.
Customs
KLT Customs laments low volume of trade at the command
— seeks assistance of ANLCA to market the underutilized facility
Funso OLOJO
The Area Controller of Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command of the Nigeria customs service, Comptroller Joy Edelduok has made a passionate appeal to the leadership of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) to assist in reviving the struggling command by marketing the terminal to importers for patronage.
This appeal follows the lamentation of Comptroller Edelduok that importers have abandoned the terminal which has resulted to low activities and miserly revenue.
The Customs’ chief was addressing the leadership of ANLCA, led by its National President, who was in her office to introduce the newly elected KLT chapter executives of the association led by Ahmed Olajide.
Comptroller Edelduok told his guests that out of 13 bonded warehouses under the control of the KLT customs command, few are functional as the rest are moribund, struggling for survival.
This, the Customs Controller said ,was responsible for the megre sum of N38 billion revenue collected in the first quarter of 2025, an amount collected by Apapa customs command in two days.
She therefore begged for the intervention of the ANLCA leadership to talk to their Importers for patronage.
According to her, without the active participation of ANLCA and other stakeholders, the Customs would not be able to achieve its target.
“I want to say that without the active participation of our stakeholders, the agents, the associations, i’m not sure we’ll be able to achieve our revenue goals.
“So, i want to say thank you for the cooperation we’ve had thus far.
“And coming today, i want to make an appeal for continued cooperation, continued collaboration, which is one of the main policy thrusts of our CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi”
Comptroller Edelduok acknowledged the importance of the role ANLCA plays at the command, even as she pledged a better working relationship with the new Executives of KLT Chapter led by its Chairman, Ahmed Olajide Bello.
On trade facilitation, Compt Edelduok appealed to the ANLCA team to canvass their importers to make use of KLT command as Port of destination, assuring of 24 -hour cargo delivery.
She also urged the agents and importers to make genuine and honest declarations at all times, in order to ensure faster cargo clearance.
“I want to make an appeal, we know that you are the ones that interface with your importers, we don’t know your importers, you are the ones that we know, so you are the ones that will take the word back to them to bring their consignment to KLT” she said.
Also speaking, ANLCA President, Emenike Nwokeoji, introduced his KLT executives to the Customs Comptroller, saying that the association has returned to take its pride of place after suffering a five years internal crisis in 2018.
“We are here to introduce to you our new executives of the chapter, we have gone through some issues in ANLCA for some years since 2018, through the intervention of the CGC, we are now one big united family.
” The ANLCA you used to know is back, and we have taken black our rightful place” he said
Emenike assured the customs boss that the association would embark on a Crusade and champion the movement of cargoes to KLT Command, even as he commended the leadership style of the Comptroller.
“Our duty is to market commands, you cannot talk to the importers, no matter what you tell them, the importer would listen to us more than you.
“We have been on the issue of transire for a very long time, it is unfortunate that it is an internal issue between the officers of Customs.
“If you as next door neighbour to the ports are complaining, you can imagine what the inland terminals are going through on this transire.
“The importer has rights to dictate where his cargo should go to, you cannot impose it on him.
“For an importer or agent to choose a particular port, there must be something they are getting there. In this our business, speed of clearance is important, whoever enters the market first would determine price before others.
” Please keep up the good work you are doing at the command”
“Trade facilitation is important, everything should not be about revenue.
” If infraction is something you can overlook, please overlook it and caution the agent.
“The officers should please take it easy with an average agent, we are going through a whole lot” he appealed
On the aspect of making honest declarations, the ANLCA President pledged to continue sensitising agents and importers across board on the need to ensure honest declarations.
“The speed of the Cargo clearance cannot be what it ought to be if the declaration is not right, we are sensitising our importers and members on the need to always make honest declarations” he said
Speaking in the same vein, the Vice National President of ANLCA, Prince Segun Oduntan,assured the KLT Customs boss that the association would now put efforts in ensuring that containers are stemmed to the command.
“On the stemming of containers to this command, we are going to put our own effort into it.
“As per the issue of delays in transires, since you have assured us, I can now tell my importer to use KLT, let us try them out, even if it is with ten containers.
“After this, we would continue to tell others.
“The atmosphere here is very good, when you have women in management positions, we believe things go better. As we step out of here today, we would do more to assist you” he said
Speaking when the visitation train moved to the KLT Chapter Secretariat, the chapter Chairman, Ahmed Olajide Bello, appreciated the ANLCA President for his unwavering support and leadership, adding that “Your presence here today underscores the importance of this chapter to the broader ANLCA vision.
“To our esteemed stakeholders and our members, we appreciate your collaboration and we look forward to strengthen our participation for smoother trade facilitation at KLT Chapter
“To our terminal operators and government agencies, your role in port operations is indispensable and we are committed to fostering an harmonious working relationship with you all.
“This new executive is aware of the responsibilities before us, our mission is to clear, promote trade efficiency, compliances, and stakeholder collaboration at KLT terminal.
“With your support, we are confident of achieving remarkable progress” Olajide stated.
Addressing members at the Secretariat, the ANLCA National President, Emenike Nwokeoji also urged the members to work together in peace and support the new Executives, adding that no leader can function beyond the support given to him by members.
“I have no doubt that Ahmed Olajide Bello and his team would leave a mark at this chapter, and at the end of their tenure, you would even plead with them to stay longer.
“Please, count on our support, one of the support we would give you, is to get a Secretariat that is befitting of a 71- year old association that ANLCA is”
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