Nigeria Customs To Launch New Command At Snake Island

The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, on Sunday, announced the Nigeria Customs Service’s plan to establish a new area command at the Snake Island Integrated Free Zone (SIIFZ).

He disclosed during an official visit to the facility in Lagos State.

While touring the facility, Adeniyi noted that the new development was crucial, considering the level of investment on the island.

He stated that the service was concluding documentation to formalise the establishment of a dedicated area command, which would enhance operations and strengthen regulatory oversight.

“We are just at the stage where we are finalising all the documentation, and I am very sure that by the next time I visit this place, I’ll be received by a Customs Area Controller,” he said.

“We are looking forward to a symbiotic relationship, one that will benefit the Nigeria Customs Service, the federal government of Nigeria, and the Nigerdock as a corporate entity,” he added.

He also commended Nigerdock, the maritime and logistics company operating the SIIFZ, for its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects that support surrounding communities.

The Managing Director of SIIFZ, Semiu Akorede, acknowledged Customs’ longstanding support and described the Comptroller General’s visit as a boost to the zone’s development.

“Your coming here today is going to add a lot of value,” Akorede said.

“We have enjoyed the support of Customs officers who are working with us here and those who come here to carry out some operations, and I can confirm to you that we have been working together without any rancour,” he added.

Akorede further stated that consolidating customs operations at the zone would ensure smoother and more efficient procedures.

“The consolidation of the activities we are asking for is going to assist in ensuring that we have a seamless operation moving forward,” he concluded.

In a separate development, Adeniyi reinforced the service’s commitment to digital transformation through partnerships with technology providers.

This followed a courtesy visit by Galaxy Backbone Limited to the Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network (NCBN) at the Service Headquarters in Abuja on Friday, May 2, 2025.

The delegation, led by the Head of Marketing and Business Intelligence, Mr Ifeatu Anafulu, met with the Assistant Comptroller of Customs and National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada.

Anafulu noted that Galaxy Backbone, as a government-owned technology provider, shares the Nigeria Customs Service’s digital vision.

“We understand that Customs is currently undergoing a major transformation under the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP), and as an agency that provides backbone ICT infrastructure for the federal government, we are here to explore how we can add value to your operations,” he said.

“From secure cloud storage to robust data protection mechanisms, Galaxy Backbone can support your evolving digital needs.”

He also emphasised the importance of secure communication and strong digital infrastructure for customs operations in a globally integrated trade environment.

In response, Maiwada reiterated the relevance of public-private partnerships in strengthening efficiency, transparency, and data security within public institutions.

“The Nigeria Customs Service is undergoing a comprehensive technological revolution anchored on the Trade Modernisation Project,” he said.

“At the heart of this reform is the deployment of an indigenous platform, B’Odogwu, a Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), which we built from ground zero.”

He explained that B’Odogwu is designed as a fully integrated platform to streamline trade procedures, minimise manual interventions, and enhance accountability through data-driven operations.

“Our goal is not just automation but true modernisation, one that is built on Indigenous expertise, tailored to our unique trade environment and driven by a strong commitment to national development and solving our Indigenous challenges,” he added.

Nigeria Customs To Launch New Command At Snake Island is first published on The Whistler Newspaper