Customs

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However, Webb Fontaine, which developed the outdated Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS) , had its services disengaged by the Federal government when it was sacked and replaced by another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.

Customs

Customs PR officers dominate NCCSC graduation, clinch overall best honours

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter

The Public Relations Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a rare academic feat as two of its officers emerged the top graduating students at the Nigeria Customs Service Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada.

At the graduation ceremony for Senior Course 14 held on Friday,June 26th, 2026, Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) Ridwan Yusuf was named the Overall Best Graduating Student, capping an outstanding performance by winning three additional awards.

His colleague, CSC Nuruddeen Sa’idu, was named the Second Best Graduating Student, completing a remarkable sweep by officers from the Service’s Public Relations Unit.

The double honour highlights the intellectual depth, leadership capacity and professionalism within the Customs Public Relations Unit, demonstrating that its officers excel not only in strategic communication but also in administration, operational management and policy leadership.

Beyond the accolades, the achievement is expected to open another chapter in their careers, as both officers may be retained by the College as Directing Staff, in keeping with the institution’s tradition of engaging its highest-performing graduates to mentor future participants.

If confirmed, the appointments would recognise their exceptional academic and professional abilities while entrusting them with the responsibility of shaping the next generation of Customs leaders, although their absence would be keenly felt within the Public Relations Unit.

The Nigeria Customs Service Public Relations Unit congratulated both officers on their outstanding accomplishments and wished them continued success as they assume greater responsibilities in service to the nation.

Customs

Retirement gale sweeps through Customs as Olomu,Bomodi,Oladeji,Adeola,Adebakin, Niagwan among 1,516 officers set to exit service

Funso OLOJO, Editor

A massive retirement wave is set to rip through the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), with no fewer than 1,516 officers — including several top-ranking officers — pencilled down to leave the Service in 2026 and 2027 in what appears to be one of the largest personnel exits in the agency’s recent history.

The impending retirement storm, which cuts across virtually all cadres of the Service, will see officers from the rank of Deputy Comptroller-General down to Customs Assistant II bow out under statutory retirement provisions, leaving a major vacuum in the upper and middle ranks of the paramilitary agency.

Documents obtained by TheEyewitnessnews show that 825 officers are scheduled to retire in 2026, while another 691 are expected to leave in 2027, bringing the total number of exits within the two-year period to 1,516.

The retirement notices are contained in two restricted circulars issued by the Human Resources and Development Department of the Service and signed by the Comptroller, Establishment, A.A. Bazuaye, on behalf of the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Human Resources and Development.
The first circular, No. HRD/2025/048 dated September 19, 2025, contains what the Service described as the final list of 825 officers billed to retire in 2026.

A breakdown of the 2026 list shows that the Deputy Superintendent of Customs cadre accounts for the highest number of exits with 285 officers, followed by the Superintendent of Customs cadre with 226 officers.

Other cadres affected in the 2026 retirement exercise are Assistant Superintendent of Customs I with 64 officers; Chief Customs Officer, 53; Deputy Customs Officer, 51; Assistant Customs Officer, 46; Chief Superintendent of Customs, 61; Inspector of Customs, eight; Assistant Superintendent of Customs II, 10; Customs Assistant I, one; Customs Assistant II, two; Assistant Comptroller-General, 13; and Deputy Comptroller-General, five.

A second circular, No. HRD/2026/020 dated May 26, 2026, forwarded a draft list of 691 officers due for statutory retirement in 2027.

The 2027 retirement schedule shows that the Superintendent of Customs cadre will record the highest number of exits with 200 officers, followed by the Deputy Superintendent of Customs cadre with 193 officers.

Others on the 2027 list are Deputy Customs Officer, 81; Chief Superintendent of Customs, 68; Assistant Customs Officer, 57; Assistant Superintendent of Customs I, 39; Chief Customs Officer, 38; Assistant Superintendent of Customs II, four; Customs Assistant I, four; Customs Assistant II, four; Inspector of Customs, two; and Assistant Comptroller-General, four.

Both circulars directed all affected officers to proceed on mandatory pre-retirement leave in line with Public Service Rule 100238 and Federal Government Circular No. 63216/S.1/X/T; CR 1/2001/5 of March 20, 2001.

The directive stated that all officers due for retirement must disengage from active service and proceed on three months’ pre-retirement leave ahead of their effective retirement dates, while also forwarding their three-month pre-retirement notices to the Comptroller-General of Customs.

Among the senior officers affected in the 2026 retirement exercise are Deputy Comptrollers-General Omale (SVC No. 41148), who retired on June 7, 2026; Nnadi (SVC No. 43193), whose retirement took effect on March 3, 2026; Chiroma (SVC No. 42988), who is due to retire on September 23, 2026; and Adeola MRS (SVC No. 42972) and Niagwan (SVC No. 41524), both scheduled to retire on December 23, 2026.

Among the Assistant Comptrollers-General on the 2026 retirement list are Egwuh (SVC No. 38991), who retired on March 14, 2026; Umoh (SVC No. 41351), who exited the Service on February 2, 2026; Mohammed (SVC Nos. 41394 and 41395), both due to retire on June 24, 2026; and Abe (SVC No. 41110), whose retirement date is August 21, 2026.

Others listed for retirement include Olomu (SVC No. 41145), Olaniyan (SVC No. 41197), Yusuf (SVC No. 41257), Oladeji (SVC No. 41308) and Gaji (SVC No. 41328), all scheduled to retire on September 24, 2026.
Also on the list are Adebakin (SVC No. 41670) and Bomodi (SVC No. 42758), both due for retirement on September 23, 2026, as well as Nyam (SVC No. 40428) and Abubakar (SVC No. 40139), whose retirement dates are October 1, 2026, among others.

In the 2027 circular, the Service opened a window for complaints and corrections, directing that any observed error, omission or legitimate complaint arising from the attached retirement list should be forwarded to the office of the Deputy Comptroller-General, Human Resources and Development, on or before July 31, 2026.

To ensure the notices get to all affected officers, Zonal Coordinators, Area Controllers and Unit Heads were directed to circulate the retirement lists across commands and formations.

But beyond the raw figures, the sweeping retirement exercise has exposed a deeper structural imbalance in the Service.

Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise, Abejide Leke Joseph, traced the development to a prolonged recruitment gap and years of promotion stagnation in the Nigeria Customs Service.

According to him, a 16-year period of non-recruitment created an unusual personnel bulge, as officers within the 41000, 42000 and 43000 service number brackets rose through the ranks almost at the same pace and now find themselves hitting retirement age or service limits within the same window.

The result, he explained, is a top-heavy structure in which a large number of officers now occupy similar seniority levels and are due to leave almost simultaneously.
Abejide said the retirement of more than 1,500 officers should not be misconstrued as part of any succession plot within the Customs hierarchy, insisting that the exercise is a routine and legally mandated process under Public Service Rule 100238.

The development is coming against the backdrop of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of a final six-month tenure extension for the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, effectively keeping him in office until February 2027.
The Presidency announced on Friday that Adeniyi’s tenure, earlier scheduled to expire on August 1, 2026, had been extended by another six months to enable him complete key reforms in the Service.

In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said the extension would allow the Customs boss to consolidate the implementation of the National Single Window project and also ensure an orderly succession process in the Service.

More significantly, the statement made it clear that Adeniyi would work with the Nigeria Customs Service Board during the transition period to oversee critical personnel decisions, including the promotion of eligible officers to the rank of Comptroller and the compulsory retirement of officers who have attained 60 years of age or put in 35 years in service.

That presidential directive effectively places Adeniyi at the centre of one of the most consequential personnel transitions in the recent history of the Nigeria Customs Service — a transition that will shape not only the next generation of Customs leadership, but also the internal balance of power within the Service.

Customs

Excitement as President Tinubu Extends CGC Adeniyi’s Tenure by Six Months

Funso OLOJO, Editor

A wave of excitement swept through the maritime industry following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of a six-month extension of the tenure of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi.

In a statement issued on June 19th, 2026, and signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, President Tinubu said the extension was necessary to enable Adeniyi to consolidate ongoing reforms, particularly the implementation of the National Single Window project, while also ensuring an orderly succession process within the service.

According to the Presidency, Adeniyi’s current tenure was due to expire on August 1st, 2026.

The six-month extension will now keep him in office until February 2027.

During the transition period, Adeniyi is expected to work closely with the Nigeria Customs Service Board to oversee the promotion of qualified officers to the rank of Comptroller of Customs and facilitate the compulsory retirement of officers who have attained the statutory retirement age of 60 years or completed 35 years in service.

Adeniyi joined the Nigeria Customs Service after graduating from Obafemi Awolowo University in the late 1980s.

He steadily rose through the ranks, becoming a Deputy Comptroller in 2012, Comptroller in 2017, Assistant Comptroller-General in 2020, and Acting Deputy Comptroller-General in January 2023 before being appointed Comptroller-General by President Tinubu in June 2023.

Maritime stakeholders who welcomed the development described the extension as an opportunity for the Customs boss to complete the far-reaching reforms he initiated within the service.

One freight forwarder, who preferred anonymity, described the decision as a positive development.

“This is a welcome development because it will enable the Comptroller-General to complete the reforms he has started in the Nigeria Customs Service,” he said.

“His tenure has been a watershed in the history of the NCS.

“The service has witnessed unprecedented transformation in its operations, revenue generation, trade facilitation, and anti-smuggling activities.

“Granting him an extension is a well-thought-out administrative decision by President Tinubu to allow him to complete these achievements.”

Another stakeholder said the extension reflects the confidence of the Presidency in Adeniyi’s leadership.

“The tenure extension is a clear endorsement of Adeniyi’s transformative leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service and the progress recorded under his administration,” the stakeholder remarked.

Industry observers believe the extension will provide continuity for ongoing modernization initiatives and help sustain the momentum of reforms aimed at enhancing trade facilitation, revenue collection, and border security.