Maritime Agencies
TRADE FACILITATION: Nigeria Customs Pre-Launches ‘B’Odogwu’ In Lagos.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has unveiled her strategic deployment of ‘B’Odogwu,’ a special trade modernization tool whose implementation is aimed at deepening efficient and effective trade processes across the board in line with international best practices.
The event which was attended by many stakeholders took place in Lagos, Monday, for the Apapa and Tincan Island ports.
The flag-off of a successful pilot stage of the ‘B’Odogwu’, it is recalled, took place at the PTML Command earlier in 2024, signaling a new dimension and a major shift in how cargo clearance and trade operations are conducted across the nation’s busiest seaports.
Speaking during the pre-launch and stakeholders’ engagement in Lagos, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, said the event was only a phase in the deployment process designed to climax to a full-scale launch of a carefully planned process in trade facilitation and other operational areas which must respond to the realities of the moment.
“It is a pre-launch, not a full launch, because we are deploying it at a bigger Command,” the CGC explained.
Emphasizing the importance of timing, the CGC stated that the move was part of the broader modernization agenda which has a collaborative engagement with industry stakeholders as an integral part.
The decision to conceptualize and develop B’Odogwu as a homegrown trade facilitation initiative, he clarified, became necessary in order to address long-standing inefficiencies and frustrations experienced under the previous Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS).
“The new company took into account the history of frustrations we have had with the NICIS. So, we decided to start over to develop a new system that would address all the delays and frustrations of the past. So, we came up with B’Odogwu, which is homegrown,” he said.
The Comptroller-General described B’Odogwu as a uniquely Nigerian initiative, with its name embodying the strength and leadership that the system aims to bring to customs operations.
”B’ stands for ‘Border,’ and ‘Odogwu’ signifies strength and leadership in African, particularly Nigerian, parlance,” Adeniyi explained.
He acknowledged that transiting to a new system of this magnitude would come with challenges but reassured stakeholders that the Customs is prepared to tackle any obstacles and challenges.
“A project of this magnitude would not be a walk in the park. We had some challenges during the pilot phase at PTML, we have addressed some and carried over some. We are not going to wait until all the challenges are solved, but with your cooperation, we will resolve all,” he told stakeholders present.
A major breakthrough in the deployment of B’Odogwu is its full integration with commercial banks for the processing of Form ‘M’—a critical requirement for import documentation and trade facilitation in Nigeria.
Adeniyi confirmed that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed all authorized dealer banks to integrate with the platform, ensuring seamless financial transactions for importers and exporters.
“At PTML, we have integrated CBN. The CBN boss, at a meeting with us recently, has instructed all authorized dealer banks to queue into B’Odogwu, and they would all be opening Form M for you,” he announced.
Additionally, he assured stakeholders that communication channels would remain open to provide regular updates on the system’s operation and address concerns as they arise.
In her comments, Kikelomo Adeola, Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of IT and Modernization, restated that the system was reliable and efficient. She assured stakeholders that lessons from the PTML pilot phase are being applied to strengthen B’Odogwu’s functionality.
“We have resolved teething issues following B’Odogwu’s test-run at PTML as the pilot command. We have equally carried out training of agents, terminal operators, among others, on why the effective usage of the platform is crucial,” Adeola said.
Maritime Agencies
PTML Customs Hits Over N350Bn in 9 Months, Intercepts ₦200m Illicit Pharmaceuticals,
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
With a whooping revenue of N350,347,173,787.92 billion the PTML Command of the Nigeria Customs Service realized between January and September, 2025, the coast is quite clear that it will surpass the amount of N362.5 billion it posted in 2024.
Comptroller Joe Anani, the Customs Area Controller, stated this in Lagos, Friday, while speaking during his maiden press chat at the Command’s headquarters.
The January – September figure which is 96.64% of the 2025 target, he explained, almost equals the ₦362,521,085,250.98 realized by the PTML Command from January to December the previous year.
The CAC disclosed that in spite of obvious challenges associated with the B’Odogwu initiative, in the third quarter of 2025, the Command recorded a total revenue of ₦116,243,603,670.58. This is 34.3% higher than ₦86,584,012,733.43 collected during the corresponding period in 2024.
A comparative analysis of the Command’s revenue performance in Q3, 2025, shows that the PTML Command has maintained a steady increase in revenue collection likely to be surpassed as the year winds down.
The Command intercepted a 1X20FT container with number GCNU1275880 falsely declared as supermarket items. Upon 100% examination, however, it was discovered to be laden with pharmaceutical products.
Two containers of unregistered “medicines” intercepted include: one (1) Taiwan Airsoft pistol, Two (2) magazines and 12 rounds of live ammunitions, 1x40ft container with marks and number ACLU9806850 falsely declared as magnetic resonance imaging apparatus was also apprehended and upon 100% examination, it was found to contain 6,262 cartons of antibiotics of various brands.
In line with the existing interagency collaboration approved by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller Anani handed the seized containers over to Dr Olakunle Olaniran, the Director of Ports Inspection Directorate of the NAFDAC who stood in for the Director-General.
CAC Anani said: “Our anti-smuggling and enforcement drives remain intact without compromise.”
“As a Command, we are not compromising national security on the altar of trade facilitation.
“I have visited various agencies of government and received them in my office on similar visits where we renewed our resolve for regular cooperation, inter- agency collaboration, intelligence sharing and crime prevention strategies.
He thanked the Command’s stakeholders and urged them to always stick to extant provisions on legitimate trade.
“Compliance saves time, saves money and helps in building a reputation for business growth towards migration into the AEO status.”
Receiving the seizures, the NAFDAC officer thanked Customs for their life -saving enforcement drive.
He commended the memorandum of understanding between Customs and NAFDAC as a working pact even he urged Nigerians to patronise only registered pharmaceutical vendors.
He commented Customs for supporting his agency to safeguard Nigerian lives through ensuring that prohibited medicines, including hypertension drugs and other prescription medications without NAFDAC authorization are not allowed into the country.
Maritime Agencies
Focus on Innovation, Integrity and Continuous Learning, Apapa Customs Boss Charges Newly Promoted Officers
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
With higher responsibilities within the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), newly promoted Deputy Controllers and Assistant Controllers must embrace innovation, integrity and continuous learning in order to achieve the core objectives of the Management.
As stated in a release by Superintendent of Customs, J.T. Ayagbalo, Public Relations Officer, Apapa Customs Command, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba gave the charge in Lagos, Wednesday, during the opening session of a special training programme for the newly elevated officers. Congratulating the participants on their career advancement, Oshoba described their promotions as both “a reward for hard work and a call to greater service.”
Urging the officers to exhibit excellence, discipline and commitment to the modernization vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, he reminded them to realize that the new ranks come with increased expectations from the Service and the nation.
“These elevations come with benefits, challenges, and responsibilities. The management of the NCS demands more commitment, innovative thinking, and an unwavering dedication to excellence in carrying out the CGC’s reform agenda.”
Highlighting the Service’s transformation drive, the Apapa CAC noted that Customs operations have become more knowledge-driven, with modernization initiatives such as the Advance Ruling System, Time Release Study, Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme, and the One Stop Shop mechanism redefining trade facilitation in Nigeria.
He tasked the newly promoted officers to familiarize themselves with these tools and deploy them effectively to enhance efficiency, compliance, and risk management.
”There are cases of non-compliance, either from ignorance or deliberate circumvention of procedures. This calls for greater alertness and the smart use of technology for risk assessment,” Oshoba warned.
While urging participants to leverage the training for professional development, he encouraged them to interact, exchange ideas, and build networks that will strengthen teamwork and leadership capacity across commands.
“As new leaders, some of you will be entrusted with sensitive duties, including custodianship of release passwords and supervision of junior officers,” he added. “You must uphold the tenets of Justice and Honesty, which are core values of the Service.”
Capacity building, Oshoba assured, remains a priority for the Service under the current leadership, with continuous training and retraining forming part of the long-term strategy for institutional excellence.
The training session hosted at the Apapa Area Command headquarters, aims to equip the newly promoted officers with advanced knowledge and leadership skills essential for driving Customs modernization and effective trade facilitation.
Maritime Agencies
Seme Customs Hits Big: Intercepts 10,000 Bags of Expired Flour, Cannabis; Facilitates 53, 989.47MT Exports in A Month
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
“Guided by the CGC’s commitment to transparency and modernisation, the Seme Area Command has intensified efforts to simplify procedures, strengthen inter-agency coordination, and ensure that legitimate traders enjoy the full benefits of Customs modernisation and regional integration along the Lagos–Abidjan corridor”.
Comptroller Wale Adenuga, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Seme Border Command gave this reaffirmation at the Seme-Krake border, Thursday, as he gave a rundown of recent exploits in revenue generation, anti-smuggling and trade facilitation.
In the month of September, 2025, the Command generated ₦1,500,029,233.88 in contrast to ₦531,462,332.45 collected in the corresponding period of 2024. This represents an increase of over 182%
Talking of exports, Seme Command facilitated the movement of 53,989.46 metric tonnes of goods with a Free on Board (FOB) value of ₦7,969,376,198.78 even as the total Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) realization was ₦39,868,354.42.
The most significant seizure achieved through
credible intelligence and strong inter-agency collaboration was that involving five (5) trucks conveying a total of 10,000 bags of expired flour originating from Egypt, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦1,210,300,000.00. The interception pulled through following a joint operation with the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC.
Other seizures include 1,104 parcels of Cannabis Sativa and 120 packs of tramadol (120mg) seized alongside two suspects handed over to the NDLEA Seme Command on October 7th, 2025 for further investigation.
After a sting operation at sea, the Nigerian Navy seized over 2,043 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each) and handed same over to Customs.
Other seizures showcased by Comptroller Adenuga were 150 bales of second-hand clothing,169 bottles of DSP Cough Syrup with Codeine and 5 used vehicles.
The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) for all seizures stands at ₦1,999,093,429.00.
Accepting the seized drugs on behalf of the DG of NAFDAC, the Seme Area boss, Dr Nurudeen Audu recalled that his agency has continued to synergise with the NCS in protecting the nation’s economy and checking the illegal entry of dangerous and expired pharmaceuticals into Nigeria. He added that “seized food items are usually sent to our laboratory at Oshodi for testing before they are allowed to be sold or taken to the internally displaced persons camps for distribution”.
On behalf of the leadership of the NDLEA, Ajoku Rita, Controller of Narcotics, said of the seized tramadol and cannabis sativa: “we are working together assiduously to make sure that these illegal drugs do not come in to wreck havoc on our youths”.
Concerning the means of conveyance of the seized items, Comptroller Adenuga assured of plans to dispose them soon as the CGC is averse to any kind of wastage.
Earlier in the week, the CAC hosted
traditional and youth leaders, sister-security agencies in the Seme-Krake border area, cross-border agencies from Benin Republic and the press to discuss the issue of numerous checkpoints along the busy Lagos -Badagry trade corridor and the need to reduce these as much as possible to enhance free movement and trade facilitation. He reported that within a short notice, stakeholders and various agencies complicated were already cooperating to ease movement of people and legitimate goods.
As far as the Nigeria Customs is concerned, he announced, only two checkpoints are approved on the Mile 2 to Seme border trade route. These are Agbara and Gbaji. However, there are one or two points where roving customs officers are sighted strictly for intervention and reinforcement. These are not answerable to Seme Command.
’Only God Is Wise’ bonded terminal under the supervision of the Command was inspected as the CAC directed.
According to the facility manager, Mr Adetoun Abidemi, the terminal which the command conceived began operations in 2019 for the purpose of improving trade facilitation.
Adetoun noted that the terminal handles general services and that examination of cargoes is presently done at 100%. He disclosed that for now, the terminal is operating at very low capacity as a result of low patronage. Abidemi called on all importers and exporters to use the bonded terminal facility while processing their cargoes.
PTML Customs Hits Over N350Bn in 9 Months, Intercepts ₦200m Illicit Pharmaceuticals,
Focus on Innovation, Integrity and Continuous Learning, Apapa Customs Boss Charges Newly Promoted Officers
Seme Customs Hits Big: Intercepts 10,000 Bags of Expired Flour, Cannabis; Facilitates 53, 989.47MT Exports in A Month
’MV DRAGON’: Freight Forwarders Group Hails Clarion Shipping, Stage A Roadshow
TRADE FACILITATION: Seme Customs Hosts Joint Border Stakeholders’ Engagement To Deepen Cordial Relationships.
IMO Hails Nigeria’s Anti-piracy Arrangement, Recommends Same To Other Nations.
ABUJA INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR: Abuja’s Location, Agro-allied Potentials Favour Non-oil Revenue, says NPA.
IMO Commends Nigeria’s Maritime Security Architecture, Blue Economy Policy.
WMD 2025: Innovative Financing Is Key To Drive Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy, Says Oyetola. S
Maritime Journalists Associations Come Under One Umbrella, Form NNMI.
WMD 2025: Shippers’ Council Joins Global Community to Celebrate, Emphasizes Sustainable Blue Economy
WMD 2025: MAN Oron Steals the Show As Cadets Bag Multiple Awards.
Sustained High Revenue: Tincan Customs Command Under Comptroller Onyeka A Test Case.
PROMOTION IN CUSTOMS: Tincan Command Decorates 187 Officers, Unveils N159 Billion Revenue in a Month
WESTERN MARINE CUSTOMS: CAC Ntadi Improves Infrastructure, Unveils Massive Seizures, Decorates Promoted Officers.
MMIA CUSTOMS COMMAND: Comptroller Harrison Passes Baton to Comptroller Nwokorie
APFFLON Seeks Immediate Reform of CRFFN, Replacement of Registrar.
1. EXECUTIVE PLATFORM. AMES 2024: TIME TO CHANGE GOVERNMENT ATTITUDE TOWARDS SHIPPING DEVELOPMENT IS NOW, AMES President Charges FG.
OMIS AWARDS, 2022: Greg Ogbeifun, Industry Gurus For Special Recognition.
2023 ELECTIONS：CILT Hosts Seminar on Logistics & Electoral Process
FG Set To Re-establish National Shipping Line, To Take Advantage of $10 bn Annual Ship Charter Market.
INLAND WATERWAYS OFFERS NIGERIA ALTERNATIVE REVENUE SOURCE, Says Sambo
Photo News: Salah Celebration
MAN, ORON: It’s Encomiums Galore From International Seabed Authority (ISA).
PHOTO NEWS: Maritime Capacity Development
Lilypond Export Command Is Meeting Expectations, Handles 70% of Nigeria’s Total Tonnage of Export Cargo, says CAC Odusanya.
Sylvanus Ekpo, ex-Editor, Shipping World Magazine, loses Mum
MAN, Oron, Kick-starts Simulator-based Training, Commends FG, NIMASA.
MUAZU SAMBO: Showcasing Nigeria’s Maritime Potentials At The Global Arena
WAR AGAINST OIL THEFT: Tompolo’s Company Nabs VLCC Laden With Crude Oil
SIFAX GROUP: Ojeniyi Becomes Sky Capital GMD, Omajuwa Strategy Director.
BENIN SEAPORT UPDATE: Edo State Government, Host Communities, Conduct Bidders To Inspect Project Site.
-
Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoIMO Commends Nigeria’s Maritime Security Architecture, Blue Economy Policy.
-
Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoIMO Hails Nigeria’s Anti-piracy Arrangement, Recommends Same To Other Nations.
-
Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoABUJA INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR: Abuja’s Location, Agro-allied Potentials Favour Non-oil Revenue, says NPA.
-
Maritime Agencies2 weeks ago’MV DRAGON’: Freight Forwarders Group Hails Clarion Shipping, Stage A Roadshow
-
Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoTRADE FACILITATION: Seme Customs Hosts Joint Border Stakeholders’ Engagement To Deepen Cordial Relationships.
-
Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoSeme Customs Hits Big: Intercepts 10,000 Bags of Expired Flour, Cannabis; Facilitates 53, 989.47MT Exports in A Month
-
Maritime Agencies4 days agoFocus on Innovation, Integrity and Continuous Learning, Apapa Customs Boss Charges Newly Promoted Officers
-
Maritime Agencies15 hours agoPTML Customs Hits Over N350Bn in 9 Months, Intercepts ₦200m Illicit Pharmaceuticals,