Customs

ETO still impeding free access of export containers into port–Customs

— as government suspends NXP policy on export goods

Funso OLOJO

The Customs Area Controller of Lilypond Export Command (LEXC), Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya, has reiterated the impediment which ETO system has continued to pose for the easy access of export containers into the Apapa port terminals.

Comptroller Odusanya lamented that despite the efforts of the Export command to facilitate fast process and entry of the export containers into the terminals for quick exportation to their different destinations, ETO has continued to slow down the process of quick evacuation from the export terminal.

While giving account of the activities of the command during the first quarter in 2025, the Customs Comptroller said the logistics challenge to evacuate the containers into the terminal has continued to hold back the exports.

ETO system is an electronic device that profiles the movement of container- laden trucks in a bid to facilitate their quick and seamless access into the terminals.

It was developed by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and driven by its contractor, Truck Transit Park(TTP).

However, the Customs has accused the system of hampering free movement of exports into the terminals.

Odusanya said almost all the export containers still stranded at the export terminal have been cleared by the customs but could not be admitted into the Port as a result of slow admittance method of ETO system.

He said the situation is worsened due to the high volume of exports characteristically experienced during this period.

“You people, you are here with us that you can see that we have a lot of containers here, which all of them, almost 100 of them, have nothing to do with customs.

“Because as the volume is increasing, you can see a lot of export containers here.

“Now as you see them there, Customs has nothing to do with them.

“It is the logistic aspect of taking them inside the port that is holding them and the problem still persist.

“Now we have more volume of export than before.

“This is a high season for exports.You understand the volume of export has also increased.

“We have not been able to achieve improvement in the admittance of export boxes into the port.

“Maybe before, we used to have like 100 export containers or thereabout, entering the port daily.

“But when the volume increases to like 200, 250 so they have to also step up their job there” the CAC declared.

He said his command is worried about the slow admittance of the boxes into the terminal and has therefore decided to engage the Apapa port management on how to resolve the problem and improve on the level of admittance of the boxes into the terminal.

“As the volume of exports is increasing, we will not fold our arms and sit down here.

“We need to go and meet those that are in charge of logistics to make sure that exporters’ goods do not stay here longer than necessary.

” Immediately we finish this press briefing, me and some of my team will be on our way to Apapa to meet the port Manager” Odusanya started.

The LEXC CAC however disclosed that the controversial Nigerian Export Proceed(NXP) form has been suspended.

He disclosed that ETO and the NXP have been the major drawbacks for exports processes at the terminal due to the delay they cause in processing and evacuating export containers from the export terminal.

The Customs chief however said the NPA and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which introduced the NXP, has seen reason with the Customs to halt the implementation of the policy.

“Again, it was a problem that was brought about by misunderstanding the NXP from the NPA side.

“As soon as we held that meeting, they were able to know that the way they designed it could not work that way.

“So it was suspended.

” So now we don’t have any NXP inhibiting the exporters from attaining their ETO from the TTP

“So that’s why we don’t have that problem again.

“Again, not that it is uhuru yet, but we are always on top of any issue coming up so that we solve them because it’s a Central Bank policy.

“You see, the NXP issue came up between the Central Bank and the NPA for genuine reasons in such that they want a situation whereby all exports going out of the country, they make sure they bring back their proceeds.

“So with NXP to make sure that the dollars, the foreign exchange related to that goods is repatriated back to the country.

“But export is not as simplistic as that.

“It is not all exports that are commercial export, you understand that we have none- commercial exports like personal effects, repair and return and some others.

“And again, at the time that they are expecting the NXP to contain the list of containers before they can access the port, NXP does not have the list of containers at that period.

“And if they are to wait for the containers list to copulate on the NXP, many exporters may lose their contracts.

“Some goods may turn bad, because it is when you get that one that you could access the Port.

“The containers list will not come until maybe when the containers are already inside the port and about to be shipped away.

“Some may not even come until maybe the ship has already sailed

“Because there are some administrative processes that will take place before you get to the final destination where the container will copulate on the NXP.”The NPA, unlike Customs and agents, do not know all these details.

“But we Customs and the Agents know.

” The NPA and the CBN who brought this policy don’t know any of these technicalities”

” But we had a meeting and explained to them that not that the agents are afraid of NXP neither the Customs has anything to gain from the policy, but we told them the policy needs to be looked at holistically so that it would not have a drawback effect on the Federal government desire to encourage and promote exports.

” Now that they have now suspended it or maybe they cancelled it, I don’t know, I know they would be looking for an alternative way to effect the NXP policy so that it won’t have any negative effect on export processes” Odusanya explained.

Customs

KLT Customs reaffirms commitment to stronger maritime stakeholder engagement

Deputy Comptroller Bolaji Adigun

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter
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‎The Acting Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Deputy Comptroller Bolaji Adigun, has reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to deepening engagement with stakeholders across the maritime industry in line with efforts to promote trade facilitation, transparency, and sustainable economic growth.
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‎Adigun gave the assurance through the Deputy Comptroller in charge of Administration, Comptroller T.A. Jonah, who represented him during a courtesy visit by the newly elected Executive Committee of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) to the Command in Lagos.
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‎The Acting CAC, who was unavoidably absent, underscored the importance of sustained collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and key industry stakeholders, particularly the maritime media, in advancing the Service’s mandate and supporting national economic development.
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‎He described the media as a critical partner in disseminating information on government policies, customs reforms, trade facilitation initiatives, revenue generation, and anti-smuggling operations.
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‎According to him, maritime journalists occupy a strategic position in shaping public understanding and perception of activities within the port and maritime sector, stressing the need for professionalism, accuracy, and balanced reportage in the discharge of their duties.
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‎Adigun further assured the MARAN delegation that the KLT Area Command would continue to operate an open-door policy while fostering cordial and productive relationships with stakeholders within the maritime community.
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‎Earlier in his remarks, the President of MARAN, Mr. Oluyinka Onigbinde, stated that the visit formed part of the association’s ongoing stakeholder engagement initiative following the inauguration of its newly elected executive committee.
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‎Onigbinde explained that the purpose of the visit was to formally introduce the new leadership of the association to the Command and strengthen the longstanding relationship between MARAN and the Nigeria Customs Service.
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‎He commended the KLT Area Command for its contributions to trade facilitation, revenue generation, and enforcement activities, describing the Command as a vital component of Customs operations within Nigeria’s port system.
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‎The MARAN President also reaffirmed the association’s commitment to professional, objective, and development-driven journalism, noting that maritime reporters play a significant role in promoting informed discourse on issues affecting the industry.
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‎He further assured the Command of MARAN’s continued support for initiatives aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency, and competitiveness within Nigeria’s maritime sector through responsible and factual reporting.

Customs

“You are worthy ambassador of Osun State” Oni of Ife eulogies Adeniyi’s leadership of Customs

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi II, has eulogized the sterling qualities of Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller- General of Customs, for his revolutionary leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service.

The first class Yoruba monarch made the commendation on Thursday, 28th May 2026, during the annual Eid-el-Kabir gathering hosted by the Comptroller-General at his residence in Modakeke, Osun State.

The Oni, who cited President Bola Tinubu’s public commendation of Adeniyi as evidence of the confidence reposed in the Customs boss, described him as a good ambassador of Osun State and a source of pride to the ancient Ife Kingdom and the Modakeke community.

Oba Ogunwusi said President Tinubu’s public expression of satisfaction with Adeniyi’s performance reflected confidence in his leadership and the results being achieved by the Service.

“We are very proud of him and the work he is doing. When Mr President publicly expressed satisfaction with his performance, it was not a casual statement.

” It reflects trust in his capacity and the results he is delivering. What he is doing in the Customs Service and in the community shows that he is a unifier.”

Reaffirming the support of the Ife Kingdom for the Comptroller-General, the monarch declared:

“He brings people together, and that is what leadership is about. We will continue to stand by him and pray for him.”

Addressing guests, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adeniyi expressed appreciation to the Ooni of Ife, community leaders, family members, friends, associates, and well-wishers for their continued support.

He described Eid-el-Kabir as a season that reminds humanity of the virtues of sacrifice, gratitude, obedience, and service to others.

According to him, beyond the celebration, the gathering provides an opportunity to reconnect with people, strengthen relationships, and reflect on the collective responsibility of building stronger communities and a better nation.

The CGC noted that the NCS has continued to record significant progress in revenue generation, trade facilitation, anti-smuggling operations, technological innovation, and corporate social responsibility initiatives in line with the economic objectives of the Federal Government.

He said the Service remains focused on supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu through reforms aimed at facilitating legitimate trade, enhancing national security, improving compliance, and creating opportunities for economic growth.

CGC Adeniyi added that Customs has continued to invest in community-focused interventions across the country, including educational support programmes, healthcare initiatives, and other projects designed to improve the lives of Nigerians.

He pledged that the Service would continue to pursue reforms aimed at strengthening its operations and delivering greater value to the nation, while assuring stakeholders of Customs’ commitment to professionalism, transparency, and service excellence.

Adeniyi also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the country and assured Nigerians of the Service’s continued support for government policies geared towards economic prosperity and national development.

Customs

World Bank strengthens Customs capacity in post clearance Audit in two- week capacity building exercise

Gloria Odion, maritime reporter

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced a two-week Technical Assistance Mission on Post Clearance Audit (PCA) in collaboration with the World Bank Group under the Accelerated Revenue Mobilisation Reform (ARMOR) Programme, aimed at strengthening compliance management, revenue assurance, and trade facilitation through modern audit practices.

The workshop, which runs from June 1 to June 12, 2026, is taking place at the Service’s Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.

Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, Assistant Comptroller-General , Babatunde Olomu, described the mission as a significant step in advancing the Service’s modernisation agenda and strengthening its capacity as a technology-driven, intelligence-led, and globally competitive customs administration.

He noted that modern customs administrations increasingly rely on intelligence-led, risk-based, and post-clearance interventions that promote voluntary compliance while supporting legitimate trade and economic growth.

According to him, the mission offers an opportunity to assess existing processes, identify operational gaps, adopt international best practices, and develop practical solutions to strengthen the Post Clearance Audit framework.

Olomu identified risk-based targeting, case management, registry management, quality assurance, standardisation, and integrated audit systems as key areas of focus.

He emphasised that effective Post Clearance Audit enables Customs to move beyond transaction-based controls to a strategic compliance management approach that enhances revenue assurance, facilitates legitimate trade, strengthens transparency, and boosts public confidence.

“This mission presents a valuable opportunity to critically assess our existing processes, identify gaps, learn from international best practices, and develop practical solutions that will strengthen our PCA framework and overall compliance management system.” he stated.

The ACG commended the Comptroller-General for his commitment to modernisation and capacity building and also appreciated the World Bank and other development partners for their sustained support for Customs reforms.

He urged participants to actively engage throughout the programme and ensure that lessons learned are translated into measurable improvements in daily operations.

Speaking at the event, World Bank Task Team Lead, Moses Kajubi, said the mission is designed to strengthen the capacity of Post Clearance Audit officers through modern customs practices, practical audit tools, and internationally recognised methodologies.

He explained that participants would be exposed to global best practices, case management techniques, and compliance management strategies that can be adapted to Nigeria’s operational environment.

Kajubi stressed the importance of leveraging technology, structured case management systems, and data-driven decision-making to improve audit quality, compliance monitoring, and trade facilitation outcomes.

“This engagement will equip participants with practical tools and global best practices that can be applied directly in the field to improve the effectiveness of Post Clearance Audit operations.”He stated.

He expressed confidence that the engagement would strengthen institutional capacity and contribute significantly to the Nigeria Customs Service’s modernisation objectives.

Lead Consultant for the ARMOR-P, Colonel Aloke Dutt, said the mission seeks to enhance trade facilitation, optimise revenue, and improve compliance management through a more structured and unified approach to Post Clearance Audit.

He emphasised the need for standardised audit methodologies, effective monitoring mechanisms, and the integration of data analytics into audit processes to improve accountability and operational efficiency.

Dutt also highlighted the importance of leveraging technology-driven solutions such as the B’Odogwu platform and developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to support a competency-based audit system across the Service.

During a technical session, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Muhammad Jubril, demonstrated the Post Clearance Audit process on the B’Odogwu platform, explaining how officers can initiate audit reviews using Harmonised Commodity codes and other risk indicators.

In his closing remarks, Comptroller Muhammad Shattima encouraged participants to maximise the opportunities provided by the workshop and apply the knowledge gained to achieve the strategic objectives of the NCS.