By Correspondent in Lagos.
The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it generated ₦215 billion in revenue in August, despite persistent network challenges on its new Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), popularly called B’Odogwu.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, disclosed this in a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs Tunde Ayagbalo, on Monday in Lagos.
Olomu said the impressive revenue collection demonstrated the resilience of the B’Odogwu platform and its potential as a reliable, homegrown solution for trade facilitation and government revenue growth.
“Our ₦215 billion revenue collection in August, using the B’Odogwu platform, confirms the progress of our journey to build a dependable trade system for Nigerians and stakeholders,” Olomu stated.
The comptroller described the revenue milestone as a major victory, assuring that the command would continue to improve in the coming months.
“We are braving the odds, and the sky is our limit,” he added.
He attributed the feat to growing stakeholder confidence in the platform and commended officers, importers, exporters, and licensed agents for their resilience and patriotism.
Olomu stressed that Apapa remains Nigeria’s premier port and the heartbeat of its international trade, noting that the achievements of the command were anchored on collaboration with the trading community.
He acknowledged the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adeniyi, whose confidence-building engagements with stakeholders, he said, had inspired greater trust in the B’Odogwu system.
“With the patience and support shown by our stakeholders, B’Odogwu is on the verge of a major breakthrough that will redefine trade facilitation in Nigeria,” Olomu said.
He disclosed that the CGC had directed the ICT/Modernisation Department at Customs Headquarters to sustain improvements by resolving hitches promptly, responding to complaints, and supporting users to enhance efficiency.
Olomu expressed optimism that the UCMS would continue to surpass user expectations and gain wider acceptance across the trade ecosystem.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
