NIGERIA: Customs Modernisation Reflects Progress Achieved Under CGC Adeniyi – Controller Olomu

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

The Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, has praised the sweeping trade reforms and modernisation strides within Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

He attributed the success to the leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.

Olomu made the remarks on Thursday, May 22, 2025, during a facility tour of the Apapa Area Command by delegates from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the National Trade Facilitation Committee.

“This visit is a testament to the progress we have made under the able leadership of the Comptroller-General. He has made it so easy, so possible, and so seamless for us to carry out our various responsibilities,” Olomu said.

He assured that the Apapa Command would not relent, adding, “We are still hopeful that we’ll do much better than we did last year.”

The visit comes as the NCS continues to push forward with its 20-year customs modernisation project aimed at strengthening trade efficiency, curbing smuggling, and boosting revenue.

Speaking during the visit, Comptroller Nafiu Isiyaku, who oversees Trade Facilitation at NCS Headquarters, stressed that the transformation process is ongoing.

“This modernisation project is just beginning. Over the next two decades, we expect to see more groundbreaking improvements,” he said.

The ECOWAS delegation, led by Kolawole Sofola, expressed satisfaction with the reforms, citing the implementation of the B’Odogwu system, a digital platform enhancing customs operations, as a significant step forward.

Sofola noted “We’re very impressed with the modernisation. They’ve identified challenges in the previous system and are moving forward. The prospects are very good.”

Sofola also acknowledged the impact on revenue generation and anti-smuggling efforts.

“Most importantly, they are improving their processes so traders can move goods more freely and at a lower cost,” he added.

Abdullahi Usman, National Secretary of the National Trade Facilitation Committee, commended the progress made towards establishing a national single window—a unified platform to streamline trade documentation and processes across agencies.

The ECOWAS visit was aimed at assessing Nigeria’s compliance with trade facilitation measures aligned with the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement, to which all ECOWAS member states are committed.