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How Webb Fontaine tried to sabotage B’Odogwu– Customs

–as Customs generates N120 billion revenue on new platform in PTML pilot scheme.

–Main One fiber system to drive Odogwu connectivity — CGC Adeniyi 
Funso OLOJO 
Facts have emerged on how Webb Fontaine, the service provider engaged by the Federal Government in 2009 to drive the trade portal of the Nigeria Customs Service, tried for inexplicable reason, to abort the operation of B’ Odogwu at the PTML.
B’ Odogwu, the indigenous trade portal system developed by the Customs to enhance the modernisation of its operations, was test – run at the PTML command of the service in a pilot stage in September, 2024.

However, Webb Fontaine, which developed the outdated Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS) , had its services disengaged by the Federal government when it was sacked and replaced by another concessionaire,Trade Modernisation Project (TMP)Limited, which developed a new software, B’Odogwu with the Customs to replace the old NICIS software.
Apparently angered by its sack and its old software discarded, Webb Fontaine shut down its infrastructure at the PTML in order to frustrate the pilot stage of B’Odogwu.

According to Comptroller Tenny Mankini Daniyan, the Area Controller of the PTML, the action of the sacked service provider nearly aborted the pilot scheme of B’Odogwu as the operations at the command came to a halt and customs agents deserted the command and took their entries to the Tin Can Island command.
” In September 2024 when the pilot scheme of B’Odogwu took off at the PTML, the infrastructure of the new system was deployed in all areas of the command and the bonded terminals.
“Immediately the infrastructure was deployed, we had an issue with the NICIS.
” Webb Fontaine disconnected the command from their system.
“So all jobs were taken to the Tin Can Island command.

” But we summoned courage and on November 11th, 2024, we decided to put a stop to the use of NICIS entirely since the service provider did not want us to use their infrastructure.
” So we discontinued the use of Webb Fontaine platform and instructed the management of the PTML to start transmitting only on Odogwu” Comptroller Daniyan disclosed.
However, six months down the line since September 2024 when the indigenous platform debuted in the PTML, it has been a success story as the Customs braved the odds and surmounted the teething problems and initial challenges posed by the sacked service provider.
According to the PTML Area Comptroller, for the three months B’Odogwu was deployed in a pilot stage, the command treated 16, 000 entries fully paid for and realized revenue in excess of  N120billion.
” We had our challenges but with the co-orporation of all stakeholders and the determination of the customs’ management team led by CGC Wale Adeniyi, we were able to pull through.

” Anything technology must have glitches but the beauty is that it is the indigenous effort initiated and deployed by indigenous customs officers.
” From then till date, it has been smooth sailing and that was why the management has the courage to decide to roll out the system in Tin Can and Apapa commands” the PTML CAC declared.
He disclosed that other challenges such as the resistance of the Authorized Dealer Banks to come on board B’Odogwu has been resolved.
” The stakeholders were initially sceptical about the new system but now they have embraced it” Comptroller Daniyan said.
Stakeholders present at the demonstration of B’Odogwu acknowledged the efficiency of the new system, admitting that it is faster than NICIS.
” No more delays, no more demerrage payments” a Chieftain of the National Council of the Managing Directors of the Licensed Customs Agents(NCMDLCA) declared.
Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller- General of Customs, who led his management team to a pre- launch of the indigenous platform on Monday, March 3rd, 2025 at Apapa command, declared that the issue of the initial resistance of the Authorized Dealer Banks (ADBs) has been sorted out with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardozo, who had ordered the banks to key into the new system.
Adeniyi, who took his team with the media on the demonstration tour of B’Odogwu at the Customs Processing Centre(CPC), Apapa command, explained the capacity and novelty of the new indigenous platform which he said was more efficient than the discarded NICIS.

” The server driving NICIS is old, outdated, bogus and complex.
“It ocupies a whole room at the Customs Headquarters, Abuja.
” It was installed more than 15 years ago but the world has since moved on.
” But the server driving B’Odogwu is more modern, compact, strong, efficient with bigger capacity than NICIS.
” It is not complex and bogus. It takes a small space , like a shower room, at the headquarters.
“The new system processes faster than what we had before.
” I am happy that as I entered the Apapa command, the first facility I saw was the support group office which shall support stakeholders whenever they have any challenge with the system.
On the connectivity platform that will drive B’Odogwu, Adeniyi said they have the best hands in IT technology that is driving the system.
He declared that the system will be driven by Main One, an indigenous connectivity system which has been proven to provide capacity of at least 4.96  Tbps.
” Connectivity is central to the new system.We are taking the best hands in the country in terms of connectivity to drive B’Odogwu.
” We are launching Odogwu on Main One. Main One will drive all our connectivity issues in Apapa and Tin Can, Onnne and all the major ports.
Adeniyi also disclosed that the service has plan B, a contingency plan to deal with glitches.
” We are going to also have Plan B in case the connectivity with Main One fails.
” There might be glitches, when it happens, the most important thing is that we are going to put in place a contingency plan to address the issue of glitches when it happens” the CGC declared.
He said there was no going back in the determination of the service to deploy the indigenous platform.
” We are focused on rolling out this platform. No going back on this .
” We have learnt very useful lessons from the pilot stage at the  PTML.
” We shall ensure that the implementation is seamless and sustained.”
” That is why I and my management team came down personally to Apapa to roll out the system and ensure it is seamless”
Adeniyi acknowledged the fact that there are still outstanding challenges with the system.
” We did not roll out the the system in the PTML with the integration of Form M and PAAR.
” Now we have gotten to a point when all the banks have signed up and decided to key into the system as we roll out so that PAAR and Form M will be part of the new system in Apapa and Tin Can ports.
” Once we capture that, we can conveniently say that we have captured almost 70 to 80 per cent of our operations.” the CGC declared, exuding optimism about the success of the new system.
He declared that the priority of the service is to facilitate trade much more than to generate revenue, even though revenue generation is part of its core functions.
” At the pilot stage of the system in PTML, at the end of three months of trial, 16, 000 entries were captured with over N120 billion revenue collected.
” But the end game is not revenue but we are concerned with resolving all the issues surrounding declaration and ensuring trade facilitation.
” We want to ensure that our system is robust enough to cope with all the issues raised by our stakeholders.
“Once we do all that, revenue will follow” the CGC declared with conviction.
Main One fiber that will drive the connectivity of B’Odogwu
MainOne is a West African digital infrastructure company that provides connectivity and data center services.
It was founded in 2008 by Funke Opeke.
It was  West Africa’s first privately owned undersea cable.
In 2015, it built Nigeria’s largest Tier III data center
It was later acquired by Equinix, a US-based digital infrastructure company, in 2022
It’s services include Submarine cable systems, IP NGN network, Regional and metro terrestrial fiber optic networks, Data center services, and Cloud services.
Main One has been instrumental in driving digital inclusion and supporting the continent’s tech industry .
MainOne strives to provide a conducive learning environment to schools in host communities
MainOne has a presence in Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire.
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Customs

Beer merchants panic over tax stamp policy, seeks solace from Customs

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter 
The proposed Tax Stamp policy of the Federal government has expectedly activated panic mode among beer industry leaders who have expressed anxiety of possible escalation in the production and consumer costs if the policy is eventually implemented.
Though, there is an ongoing dialogue between stakeholders and the government to manage the economic impact of the policy, the leaders of the brewing sector had sought more clarification on the policy from the Nigeria customs service when they engaged with the Comptroller- General of the Service, Adewale Adeniyi on Monday, May 11th, 2026.
The brewers have come to discuss the economic impact the proposed policy will have on their brewing business.
At the roundabout discussion, Adewale had emphasised the need for credible data, inclusive consultations and sustained stakeholder engagement in Nigeria’s ongoing fiscal and regulatory reforms.
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‎Speaking during the engagement, CGC Adeniyi stressed that policy decisions affecting strategic sectors of the economy must be guided by verifiable data and a clear understanding of prevailing market realities.
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“‎We need to have a clear understanding of what constitutes illicit trade. Some of these products are legitimately manufactured in Nigeria.
“In other jurisdictions,customs administrations are already engaging in discussions around how such products find their way across borders and into unauthorised markets” the CGC stated.
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‎He further underscored the importance of accuracy and credibility in industry data presented to policymakers, noting that sound policy formulation depends on reliable information.
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‎“One thing we need to understand more clearly is where some of these estimates came from.
“When we are making policy decisions of this nature, the credibility and accuracy of data must never be in doubt,” he added.
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‎Highlighting the Service’s ongoing modernisation efforts, Adeniyi noted that the NCS has continued to introduce reforms aimed at improving trade facilitation and enhancing operational efficiency across the supply chain.
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‎“We have consistently introduced initiatives aimed at facilitating trade. We introduced the Advance Ruling. We introduced the Authorised Economic Operator programme.
“We also rolled out several reforms on our own initiative, not because we were under pressure, but because we recognised the need to improve trade facilitation,” he said.
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‎On the proposed tax stamp initiative, the CGC clarified that consultations with stakeholders are still ongoing and that no final decision has been reached regarding implementation.
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‎“As far as I am concerned, consultations are still ongoing. If this initiative is legitimate and beneficial, then we all have a responsibility to ensure that we are heading in the right direction,” he stated.
‎He also encouraged private-sector operators to maintain constructive engagement with relevant government agencies to ensure that any eventual policy framework balances revenue protection with industrial sustainability and economic growth.
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‎Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Chief Executive Officer of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Girish Sharma, said the visit was aimed at presenting the industry’s position on the proposed tax stamp framework, which he noted has generated considerable discussion within the sector.
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‎Sharma acknowledged the importance of regulatory controls but maintained that the beer industry remains one of the most structured and highly regulated sectors in Nigeria, with limited exposure to counterfeiting risks.
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‎“We fully understand the purpose and importance of tax stamps, particularly in industries where counterfeiting is a major concern.
“However, within the beer sector, counterfeiting is minimal,” Sharma said.
‎He noted that existing compliance and monitoring systems already provide adequate visibility across production and distribution channels.
‎“From an end-to-end compliance perspective, we believe there is already sufficient transparency and oversight,” he added.
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‎Sharma also highlighted the industry’s contribution to employment generation, government revenue and economic growth, cautioning that additional regulatory measures should be carefully designed to avoid unintended impacts on the sector and the wider economy.
The 2026 tax stamp policy in Nigeria is a regulatory, security-focused, and mandatory track-and-trace system imposed by the government on excisable goods—including alcohol, tobacco, and sugar-sweetened beverages—to curb illicit trade and bolster revenue.
The policy, aimed at reducing smuggling and counterfeiting, requires high-security physical labels or digital codes to be affixed to products.
The policy applies to excisable products such as tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks, with specialized stamps for textile imports, such as the Red vs. Green stamps.
 Manufacturers must ensure compliance. Under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, compliance is required, and failure to stamp documents within 30 days can lead to severe penalties, including a 10% penalty fee plus interest.
While the government aims to enhance revenue, manufacturers, particularly in the brewing sector, have raised concerns that the policy could significantly diminish profitability and increase consumer prices, with potential to create 100% loss in profits if implemented as proposed.
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Customs

At UNILORIN conference, Adeniyi advocates for human- driven technology for balanced developmental efforts

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter 
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‎The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to responsible digital transformation and innovation driven governance during his keynote address at the 4th Biennial International Conference organised by the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, University of Ilorin, in collaboration with the Faculty of Philology, RUDN University, Russia.
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‎The conference, themed “Disruptive Technology: Human and Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Economy,” was held on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, at the University of Ilorin Main Auditorium.
The event attracted academics, communication experts, technology professionals, researchers, policymakers, and heads of government agencies to deliberate on the growing influence of digital innovation and artificial intelligence on governance, education, trade, and economic development.
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‎In his address, CGC Adeniyi stressed the importance of balancing technological advancement with human responsibility, noting that the future of the digital economy depends not only on artificial intelligence but also on ethics, leadership, and institutional capacity.
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‎“The digital age is, in the end, a human story, and the real test of our generation is not how powerful our machines become, but how wisely our societies choose to use them,” Adeniyi stated.
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‎He observed that disruptive technologies such as digital payments, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and smart systems have already reshaped global operations, adding that the world is no longer preparing for disruption but actively functioning within it.
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‎According to him, government institutions must ensure that technological innovation strengthens transparency, public trust, and operational efficiency without compromising accountability.
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‎Drawing from the Nigeria Customs Service’s experience, the CGC highlighted ongoing digital transformation initiatives, particularly the deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System, which has significantly improved trade facilitation, cargo processing, and inter-agency collaboration.
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‎He disclosed that the platform generated over N230 billion at the PTML Command within its first eight months of deployment, while cargo clearance timelines for compliant traders have been reduced to less than eight hours.
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‎“The partnership, not the rivalry, between human and artificial intelligence is where the real value lies,” he said, adding that technology delivers optimal results when guided by strong institutional values and ethical standards.
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‎Adeniyi further noted that although artificial intelligence enhances efficiency, risk management, and decision-making, human expertise and leadership remain indispensable to effective governance and enforcement.
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‎“Technology changes processes  leadership and expertise still deliver the results,” he added.
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‎The CGC also called for stronger collaboration among universities, research institutions, and public agencies to develop practical solutions to emerging digital and governance challenges.
He urged academic institutions to move beyond theoretical learning and play a more active role in innovation and policy development.
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‎He identified areas where academia can support Customs modernisation efforts, including digital compliance systems, AI-driven risk management, public trust communication strategies, and the governance of cross border data flows.
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‎Adeniyi further advocated for the development of digital governance frameworks tailored to African realities, legal systems, and developmental priorities, emphasising that technological advancement must remain accountable to the people it serves.
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‎On the sidelines of the conference,the CGC engaged with heads of government agencies, scholars, communication professionals, traditional rulers, and institutional leaders on opportunities for collaboration in digital innovation, research, community development, and capacity building.
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Customs

Oshoba, Apapa Customs boss, charges officers on discipline, revenue, trade facilitation

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter 

The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, has charged officers and men of the Command to intensify revenue generation, strengthen anti-smuggling operations and uphold professionalism and discipline in the discharge of their duties.

Comptroller Oshoba gave the charge during the Command’s monthly parade held on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, at the Command headquarters in Apapa, Lagos.

The Area Controller emphasized the need for greater operational interventions across terminals to block revenue leakages while ensuring seamless trade facilitation and timely cargo clearance.

“Officers must protect the reputation of the Service. That is why any delay by any officer concerning any consignment will not be tolerated.

“Even at the gates. If a consignment is duly exited, there should be no delay at the gates,” he stated.

He also urged officers to remain accessible and professional in their dealings with stakeholders.

“You must make yourself accessible to our stakeholders and we must avoid actions capable of tarnishing the good image of the Service and the good work being done by the CGC and members of his management.

“We should not be seen as slugs in the wheels of progress,” Oshoba added.

The CAC further called for heightened vigilance against smuggling activities, especially illicit drugs and prohibited items, while warning officers against misconduct and improper dressing.

Highlight of the parade was the recognition of outstanding Officers and Units for exemplary service.

Assistant Comptroller of Customs Ismail Mohammed emerged as the Most Outstanding Officer of the Month, while CSC Augustine Ondoma, ASCI Bukola Olaleye and IC Olalekan Salawu were recognized for professionalism, innovation and punctuality respectively.

Similarly, officers of APM Terminal received the Excellence Award on Enforcement, while Officers of ECO SUPPORT Terminal received the Excellence Award on Revenue Generation.

Comptroller Oshoba explained that the award initiative was introduced to encourage hard work, excellence, professionalism and healthy competition among Officers and Units of the Command.

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