The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has concluded its nationwide Reputation Management Campaign in Zone ‘D’, Bauchi, reaffirming its drive to strengthen integrity, deepen public trust, and improve service delivery across the country.

The final phase of the campaign took place on Tuesday, 18 August 2025, at the Zone ‘D’ Headquarters, where officers from various area commands converged for the closing engagement.

Leadership stresses importance of integrity

Delivering the keynote address, Acting Zonal Coordinator, Comptroller Musa Binga, represented by Comptroller Matawalle Ibrahim of the Bauchi/Gombe Command, urged officers to embrace the lessons from the campaign.

“Reputation is not an afterthought; it is an asset,” Binga said. “The Nigeria Customs Service is more than revenue collection. We are custodians of national integrity, and every officer’s conduct directly shapes how the public perceives us.”

Focus on professionalism and transparency

Launching the engagement, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, the National Public Relations Officer, explained that the campaign was deliberately structured to embed professionalism, transparency, and accountability at all levels of the Service.

The initiative, which spanned all operational zones, featured training sessions on social media ethics, stakeholder engagement, and effective public service delivery. Officers described the exercise as both “timely” and “practical,” equipping them with tools to project Customs positively while tackling misconceptions about its operations.

A call to action, not a conclusion

In his closing remarks, Deputy Comptroller Administration of Borno/Yobe Command, Adamu Mohammed, cautioned that the end of the campaign should be seen as the beginning of consistent reform efforts.

“This initiative is a call to action. It must reflect in our culture, our decisions, and how we interact with the public,” Mohammed said.

Consolidating reforms under new leadership

The campaign, now completed across all Customs zones, forms part of the reform agenda championed by Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR.

The Service restated its vision of building a modern, professional, and transparent administration that aligns with international best practices while prioritising the trust and confidence of Nigerians.

The Tincan Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has set a new record after collecting ₦16.4 billion in a single day through the Bodogwu platform, a Unified Customs Management System (UCMS) designed to streamline port operations.

The landmark achievement, recorded on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, was confirmed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs Oscar Ivara.

He quoted the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, as saying the success was a clear demonstration of the efficiency and transparency of the Bodogwu system.

Efficiency through digitalisation

According to Comptroller Onyeka, the Bodogwu platform has revolutionised port operations by removing delays and administrative bottlenecks.

“This achievement is a strong indicator of the efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness of the Bodogwu system in streamlining port operations,” Onyeka said.

He explained that the system enables licensed Customs agents and stakeholders to complete cargo clearance and payment processes in real time, creating a faster and more predictable trading environment.

Integrated operations for seamless trade

The Customs chief further noted that Bodogwu integrates all critical aspects of Customs activities — from valuation to monitoring — under a single interface.

“The Bodogwu system has integrated all key elements of port and Customs operations under one digital interface, enabling faster processing, accurate valuation, and enhanced monitoring of cargo activities,” Onyeka stated.

As a result, both Customs and port users now benefit from improved predictability, compliance, and efficiency in line with Nigeria’s economic development goals.

Collaboration with stakeholders

Onyeka stressed that the revenue breakthrough reflected more than financial performance. He described it as proof of how technological innovation and collaboration among port stakeholders could transform trade facilitation.

“This record-breaking revenue figure is not just about numbers. It reflects the game-changing role of the Bodogwu system in modernizing port operations and further highlights the benefits of the Command’s continued collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, which includes terminal operators, shipping companies, licensed Customs agents, and regulatory agencies,” he said.

Commitment to national growth

The Customs boss reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to strengthening trade facilitation, protecting revenue, and ensuring business-friendly operations.

“The Command remains dedicated to enhancing trade facilitation, securing revenue for national development, and supporting all port users in achieving timely and cost-effective cargo clearance,” Onyeka concluded.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its institutional reforms by extending its Reputation Management Campaign to Zone C, Port Harcourt, in a move officials say is aimed at deepening integrity, professionalism, and public trust.

The campaign, held at the Zone C Headquarters auditorium on Friday, 15 August 2025, brought together selected officers for a train-the-trainer workshop on reputation management and public service values.

Speaking at the event, Comptroller Chika Dim of the Eastern Marine Command praised the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for prioritising integrity-building.

“Officers today are fortunate to serve under a forward-looking leadership,” he said. “But true success will only come from the deliberate effort we invest in protecting and managing the Service’s reputation. The Reputation Management Guide must not be seen as a document to shelve but as a compass for daily decision-making, a tool to reshape our relationship with the public and rebuild trust.”

Earlier, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, the National Public Relations Officer, described reputation as “among the Service’s most valuable but intangible assets.”

“Reputation is not given; it is earned through transparency, accountability, and effective communication,” he told participants. “Every officer’s conduct contributes to how the Nigeria Customs Service is perceived by the public and stakeholders.”

In her closing remarks, Comptroller Teressa Ezenwa emphasised the long-term nature of cultural change within the Service.

“Reputation is not built in a day,” she said. “It requires consistency, professionalism, patience, and respect for the values our Service stands for. This campaign reminds us that we must be intentional in how we conduct ourselves and how we serve the public.”

Breakout sessions at the event saw officers working through real-life scenarios and applying the principles of the Reputation Management Guide to daily operations.

Customs, Shippers’ Council Discuss B’Odogwu Implementation

Just days later, the Customs leadership turned its focus to Abuja, where it engaged the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) over industry concerns surrounding the rollout of B’Odogwu, the Unified Customs Management System.

The meeting, held on Monday, 19 August 2025, between the CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and the Executive Secretary of the NSC, Dr Akutah Ukeyima, addressed delays and demurrage linked to the new platform.

Dr Ukeyima relayed concerns from freight forwarders and customs agents, citing system integration, documentation challenges, and port logistics as key issues causing financial strain.

He stressed: “There is an urgent need to minimise financial losses and prevent disruptions in the cargo clearance chain.”

In response, the Customs Comptroller-General reaffirmed the importance of B’Odogwu, describing it as central to the Service’s modernisation programme.

“B’Odogwu remains critical to achieving a transparent, technology-driven, and globally competitive clearance process,” Mr Adeniyi said. “We acknowledge the challenges in this initial phase, but they will be systematically resolved through stakeholder engagement, phased improvements, and continuous upgrades.”

Both agencies pledged sustained dialogue, with consultations expected to continue with shipping lines, terminal operators, and other stakeholders. Customs further assured that steps were being taken to limit disruptions and shield operators from excessive demurrage.

The NCS highlighted that B’Odogwu is an indigenous platform designed to centralise customs processes, cut clearance timelines, reduce costs, boost compliance, and strengthen government revenue.

A Two-Track Reform Agenda

By pairing its integrity-focused Reputation Management Campaign with the technology-driven B’Odogwu implementation, the Nigeria Customs Service is presenting what it calls a two-track reform strategy — safeguarding institutional credibility while modernising trade facilitation.

Stakeholders say both initiatives will be critical to repositioning the Service domestically and internationally as Nigeria seeks to boost revenue and competitiveness in the global economy.