Prelaunch of B’Odogwu digital platform at Apapa Command : Compt Olomu expresses readiness for implementation

Prelaunch of B’Odogwu digital platform at Apapa Command :
Compt Olomu expresses readiness for implementation

The Customs Area Controller of Apapa Premier Port Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, has expressed readiness for the next level of Customs modernisation agenda with implementation of B’Odogwu digital platform in the Command.

Comptroller Olomu, who spoke during the prelaunch of the platform on Monday, March 3, 2025, at Apapa Command, said he is emulating the CGC’s hands on approach to achieving one of Africa’s fastest developing Customs administration in the continent, which is earning Nigeria enviable accolades at the global stage of World Customs Organisation.

Babatunde Olomu, who appeared determined and fully prepared, said, “The relevance of ICT and upgraded modernisation infrastructure geared towards achieving NCS goal cannot be overemphasised.

“This underscores the CGC’s unrelenting zeal exemplified in enhanced stakeholders engagement, promoting sustainable inclusivity, consistent improvement of trade facilitation, and achieving the best for the growth of the nation’s economy without compromising national security.”

Olomu, who has been working assiduously behind the scene to prepare his Command for the task ahead stressed; “As the premier port, we are ready for the next level of NCS modernisation agenda, which seeks to improve on user experience, promote efficiency, and attain excellence in Customs productivity.

“Therefore, in anticipation of the task to accommodate more volumes of trade and process higher degree of import and export trade, training and retraining have been embedded in our operational template”.

Speaking further, he pointed out :
“A smooth take-off and continuous success of B’Odogwu in Apapa Command, which is achievable, would be a major milestone for NCS under our present CGC, who comes with a transformative agenda.”

Giving more details on his level of preparedness, Babatunde Olomu, who is fondly called “The Super Controller” said;  “We just conducted series of in-house training programmes for newly promoted Deputy Comptrollers of Customs and Assistant Comptrollers of Customs in our drive to build their capacities and prepare them for optimum delivery of their assigned functions following their elevations.”

He added; “We are abreast with the concept of B’Odogwu and we have become very intentional about it. Following the directives of the CGC, we began batch-by-batch training of stakeholders on how to use the system. This is a huge success already because the trainees have come up with testimonials about their understanding of the system and its applicability to their day-to-day dealings with Customs”.

His exact words :  “To our stakeholders, this prelaunch could be likened to a testing engine event. Follow us patiently and see the teething early stage challenges as surmountable test, for every problem we solve in the course of the test run roll out, a permanent solution is found. That is the spirit and letter of B’Odogwu”.