The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has generated ₦161 billion in revenue within a three-week period using the Unified Customs Management System, popularly known as B’Odogwu.
The Customs Area Controller for Apapa Command, Babajide Olomu, disclosed this during a recent stakeholders’ meeting, according to a statement issued on Monday.
Olomu noted that the platform, despite initial hitches, has shown strong potential for efficiency and improved trade facilitation compared to previous ICT systems deployed by the NCS. He thanked importers, agents, and freight forwarders for their patience, stressing that their trust in the new system would yield lasting benefits.
“Between August 1 and 22, 2025, the command collected ₦161 billion through the B’Odogwu system,” he revealed. “We remain optimistic that this homegrown technology will continue to surpass past platforms in boosting revenue and simplifying trade processes.”
The Customs chief emphasized that the service’s ICT department is working tirelessly to address downtime challenges, while consultations with key industry regulators, including the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), are ongoing to ease the impact of system disruptions.
Speaking at the forum, the Zonal Coordinator for Zone A, Charles Orbih, commended stakeholders for their resilience and cooperation during the transition. He described their support as a testament to shared patriotism and confidence in the success of local innovations.
“I am encouraged by the maturity and patience shown by our stakeholders. Their faith in our ability to resolve network glitches is not misplaced,” Orbih stated. He further assured that the Comptroller-General of Customs is personally monitoring the situation and engaging terminal operators and shipping firms to secure demurrage waivers where necessary.
The Apapa Command, widely regarded as a strategic hub for the nation’s trade and revenue drive, remains central to the NCS’s efforts to strengthen digital transformation and enhance economic competitiveness.
