Nigeria Customs, Stakeholders Tackle Barriers to 24-Hour Port Operations

In collaboration with key maritime industry stakeholders, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reviewed critical barriers to implementing 24-hour operations at the nation’s seaports.

This came at the JournalNG Port Industry Town Hall Meeting held in Lagos on Thursday, 17 April 2025, themed “Bridging the Gaps to Actualise 24-Hour Port Operations.”

Representing the NCS at the summit, Assistant Comptroller Oyindolapo Oladepo highlighted ongoing efforts to boost trade facilitation and announced the deployment of B’Odogwu, a technology platform designed to streamline port operations and enhance ease of doing business.

“Since its launch in September 2024, the B’Odogwu app has significantly boosted revenue at the PTML Command, with over ?5 billion generated in a single day,” Oladepo stated.

While acknowledging infrastructure limitations, he emphasised the Service’s commitment to creating a seamless, tech-driven port environment across the country.

Bolaji Sunmola, chairman of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC), underscored that 24-hour operations are no longer optional but essential.

“With a carefully sequenced strategy anchored in technology, sustainability, and stakeholder alignment, we can transform our ports into efficient, secure, and economically impactful assets,” he said.

General Manager of the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP), Ahmed Ogunsola, advocated for an independent regulator to oversee the performance of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and concessionaires. He also recommended the deployment of high-speed scanners powered by artificial intelligence.

JournalNG publisher Ismail Aniemu expressed optimism about Nigeria’s potential to achieve fully automated, efficient port systems. He urged stakeholders to collaborate in realising round-the-clock port operations, stressing the need for improved security, lighting, and infrastructure to support nighttime activity.

The summit convened major players in the maritime sector to chart a collective path toward modernising Nigeria’s ports and enhancing global competitiveness.

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