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Customs

As Federal government sacks Webb Fontaine, Customs develops, deploys indigenous trade platform

–– transits from NICIS to  B’Odogwu 

Funso OLOJO 
The Nigeria customs service has taken its destiny in its own hands as the service has now fully taken over the automated trade portal for cargo clearance at the ports.
This follows the disengagement of Webb Fontaine Limited who was contracted by the Federal government to develop customs trade portal.
In 2009, the service provider developed Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS), a trade portal for good clearance at the ports.

After the expiration of the contract and several extensions, the Federal Government finally disengaged Webb Fontaine and contracted a new concessionaires, Trade Modernisation Project(TMP) Limited to drive the new Customs  modernisation scheme.
The men and officers of the NCS, in active collaboration with the new contractor, TMP, developed a new and novel trade portal, called B’Odogwu, a wholly indigenous platform that was a clear departure from the old trade portal called NICIS.
In September, 2024, the customs launched the pilot scheme of B’Odogwu at the PTML  command to test run the new indigenous platform.

Despite the hitches, challenges and attempts by Webb Fontaine to frustrate the new concept, B’Odogwu finally had a foothold after battling with the teething problems and the grand conspiracy of the sacked service provider.
The success of the pilot scheme of B’Odogwu now emboldened the confidence of the management of the NCS led by its Comptroller- General, Adewale Adeniyi, which decided to unleash the new concept on all commands.
So on Monday, March 3rd, 2025, Adeniyi led his management team to the Apapa Customs command where the official pre- launch of the indigenous trade portal was held.
Still cautious and meticulous about the full launch, the CGC said before the full deployment at all the commands, the system will be pre- launched at both the Apapa and Tin Can Island commands.
According to him, after the plot scheme at the PTML, the customs have worked on all the identified challenges encountered at the trial stage.
Though not all the challenges have been resolved, but a significant progress has been made in resolving these teething problems.
Adeniyi further disclosed that the pre- launch of the scheme at the Apapa and Tin Can commands will afford the Customs to fine-tune all the rough edges before the system is fully deployed at all the commands.
” What we are doing today is a pre- launch. We are not launching yet.
” We had done the pilot scheme at the PTML  but now we are deploying in bigger commands.
” 2025 is indeed a year of history for us.
This is because we have reached a critical junction in our operations.
“This has therefore necessitated that we move forward with our modernisation programme which we have initiated.
“We have been under the service of a service provider contracted by the Federal Government for over a decade.
“The service provision was under a contract for a period of time and that expired.
“For some reasons, government in its wisdom decided to extend that contract and a number of extensions were granted.
“Then government at a time felt that the contract needed to be terminated.
” A new concession agreement was signed between the Federal Government of Nigeria and a new service provider, Messr TMP.
” One of the things we decided with the new concessionaire is are we going to continue with the NICIS we are used to over a decade with all its failures and frustration or are we going to develop a new concept?
” Because of the history of frustration and dissatisfactions we had with NICIS, we took that bold decision that we are going to start on fresh note, we are going to develop a new system that will take care of all the challenges and frustrations we had with NICIS for almost 20 years.
” That was why our officers working with the new service provider started to develop a new system.
“What we have is what we christened B’ Odogwu, a wholly indigenous trade portal”  .
Adeniyi, while explaining the rationale behind the name B’ Odogwu, said they needed to create a system that is as robust, visible, resilient and strong as Odogwu that will have that capacity to handle the complexities and volume of international trade.
” That is why we coined the name ” Odogwu at the Border”
“The ‘B’ stands for “Border”
The CGC promised that with the pre – launch of the new concept, there is no going back as the service is committed to see the implementation of the new trade portal to a successful conclusion.
He disclosed that  the service has surmounted the initial resistance of some of the Authorized Dealer Banks to join the indigenous platform as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Olayemi Cardozo, had ordered all the Authorized Banks to key into the new concept.
The Area Controller of Apapa customs command, Babatunde Olomu, pledged the readiness and commitment of the command to deploying Odogwu as a crack team of officers have been trained to drive the project.
” We began a batch by batch training of stakeholders on how to use the new system” Olomu declared.
Olomu’ s assertion confirmed the CGC revelation that a help desks  have been created at the Apapa and Tin Can commands manned by a working group to help resolve any challenge that may arise.
” We are resolute and determined in our efforts to make this new system work” the CGC declared.
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Customs

Customs threatens to arrest, prosecute air travellers carrying currency above $10,000 threshold without declaration.

-as Nigeria tightens its anti- money laundering laws
Gloria Odion 
The Nigeria customs service, in collaboration with other sister agencies, had engaged international airline operators in a sensitization exercise over the need to strengthen Nigeria’s anti- money laundering laws.
The sensitization programme, held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, was meant to raise awareness on the importance of enforcing Nigeria’s currency declaration laws among inbound and outbound travellers.
The engemement addressed the role of airline personnel in ensuring compliance, especially in reminding passengers about declaration requirements through in-flight announcements, form distribution, and cooperation during customs checks.
Officials emphasised that any passenger carrying over the regulatory threshold, currently $10,000 or its equivalent, is required to make a declaration to the authorities.
Failure to comply, they warned, could result in seizure, investigation, and prosecution under Nigeria’s anti-money laundering laws.
Additional requirements discussed included the mandatory submission of electronic manifests (e-Manifests) before aircraft arrival, as well as complete passenger details such as names, countries of origin and destination, and flight numbers, stating that these records allow customs and security officers to conduct targeted risk assessments and enhance border surveillance operations.
Assistant Comptroller of Customs in charge of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Unit, Salihu Mas’ud, led the engagement and expressed confidence in the outcomes.
According to him, the Service has already implemented several operational tools to support effective enforcement.
“What we have achieved so far is to be able to sensitise them. We’ve gone round to check all the points.
” We have dedicated search rooms for secondary searches. There are dedicated posts for currency declarations, and they are in place.
” Announcements are also being made on the Public Address System. We have also gotten the commitment of the airline operators to ensure that these announcements are also being made on board their flights,” he said.
He added, “We expect higher compliance, and it will strengthen our enforcement mechanism.
” It also ensures that defaulters and violators of currency declarations are detected promptly and forwarded for necessary investigation and prosecution.”
The sensitisation session highlighted the importance of inter-agency collaboration in securing Nigeria’s borders and preventing illicit financial flows.
With growing concerns over terrorism financing and smuggling of undeclared funds, the NCS said sustained partnerships with airline operators, airport authorities, and intelligence agencies will remain key to its success.
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Customs

Customs trails scammers preying on innocent Nigerians over recruitment exercise 

— discredits fake CBT shortlist circulating online 
Gloria Odion 
The Nigeria Customs Service has discovered a fake press release falsely announcing the shortlisted candidates for a Computer -Based Test(CBT) for the recruitment into the service.
According to the statement by the Customs High command, the release was fraudulent, misleading and the handiwork of scammers who are preying on the impatience and gullibility of the applicants.
The Customs High Command however promised to go after the perpetrators of this falsehood and bring the to book.
The service however warned all the applicants not to fall prey to the antics of the scammers but exercise patience and await official notice about the recruitment exercise from all the Customs verified channels.
“The attention of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has been drawn to a fake press release currently circulating on social media and other messaging platforms, falsely announcing the shortlist for a Computer-Based Test (CBT).
“The purported release falsely asserts that the CBT is scheduled to take place in July, 2025  as part of the ongoing NCS recruitment exercise.
“The NCS wishes to categorically state that the said press release is fraudulent, misleading, and did not emanate from the Nigeria Customs Service.
“At no time did the Service issue any such announcement regarding a CBT slated to take place in July 2025.
“Upon close scrutiny, it is clear that the fake statement contains several discrepancies, particularly in its formatting.
” The e-signature format differs from our official standard and the recruitment timeline mentioned shows a faulty structure that is not connected to any legitimate process.
“The Nigeria Customs Service understands the interest of many Nigerians in its ongoing recruitment process and urges the public not to engage with, share, or act upon such unverified content.
” Authentic information about NCS activities, including its ongoing recruitment exercises, will be published only on our official website, verified social media platforms, and recognised national newspapers.
” The Service is taking steps to trace the origin of this false information and will take appropriate action to hold those responsible accountable.
“When the Service is set to begin the next phase of the recruitment process, the public will be duly notified through appropriate channels.
“The NCS deeply appreciates the vigilance of concerned Nigerians.
“We reaffirm our commitment to protecting the public from misinformation, ensuring all our processes uphold the highest standards of transparency and integrity” the statement concluded.
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Customs

Apapa Customs shuts three bonded terminals over unwholesome practices, collects N1. 378 trillion revenue in six months 

Funso OLOJO / Gloria Odion 

The Apapa port command of the Nigeria customs service has collected the sum of N1.378 trillion revenue in the first half of 2025.
The revenue  represents a 35 percent increase above the N1.023 trillion collected within the same period in 2024, marking a N354 billion increase in revenue collection.
Making this declaration on Thursday, July 3rd, 2025, the Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, said the half year of 2025 has been outstanding in revenue collection, trade facilitation, enhanced stakeholder engagement, deployment of technology, improvement in compliance, and uncompromising discipline.
“We surpassed our collection trajectory and revenue target, achieving laudable milestones, including the issuance of the first Single Goods Declaration (SGD) using the BODE platform on the 9th of May 2025.
“This marks a significant shift towards faster and more reliable cargo handling. We have deployed a robust platform that facilitates trade and ensures timely clearance of cargo, addressing challenges such as poor network connectivity, delays, and congestion associated with the former system” Olomu declared.
Meanwhile, Comptroller Olomu disclosed that three bonded terminals within the control of the command has been sealed for various infractions on the terms and conditions of their license.
He said one of them has even been charged to court.
Sources however whispered to our reporter that the affected terminals may have compromised on revenue returns to the command and been complicit in smuggling activities.
Olumu further declared that nine  containers comprising unregistered pharmaceuticals, used clothing, expired margarine, wild animals’ skin, and codeine syrup were seized by the command  during the period under review.
“These form part of the twenty-seven 27 containers seized between January and June 2025, with a duty paid value (DPV) of N9,267,443,966.00.
“The seizures include 10 containers of unregistered pharmaceuticals, two containers of codeine syrup, two containers of stolen vehicles, four containers of second-hand clothing and other sundry items.
“These seizures are part of our efforts to prevent Nigerians from consuming unwholesome foods and drugs, stop illicit trade, and protect our local industries. As a standard, we will not compromise the safety of Nigerians on the altar of trade facilitation.
“Prominent on the list of the 28 seizures made by the command during the period under review are unregistered pharmaceuticals, controlled drugs, used clothing, codeine syrup, wild animals’ skin, and other sundry items.
“It is pertinent to note that trafficking of wild animals contravene the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which Nigeria is a signatory to.
“Additionally, on the detention list is a container of matches imported without the required End User Certificate (EUC) as provided for in our extant laws.
Very recently, under the guidance of the CGC, we opened discussions with officials of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and other stakeholders from various associations on developing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the movement of goods by rail from Apapa Port to other states.
These talks have shown great prospects for success, with pledges of support and anticipation for robust participation by all concerned. This effort to revive cargo movement by rail aims to decongest the port, reduce pressure on Apapa roads, and provide a viable and cost-effective cargo movement option for importers, exporters, freight forwarding practitioners, haulage operators, and licensed customs agents.
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