Customs Mull New Operational Command To Encourage Investments At IFZ

…As Galaxy Backbone Explores Strategic Partnership with NCBN

BY FUNMI ALUKO

The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has pledged to establish a new Customs Area Command at the Snake Island Integrated Free Zone (SIIFZ), following an official visit to the facility on Wednesday 30 April 2025.

During the visit, the CGC expressed delight at the level of investment made on the island and commended Nigerdock, a maritime and Logistics Company, and operators of the SIIFZ, for their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects.

He stated that the service is in the final stages of documentation to establish a dedicated Command at the Free Zone, which will enhance operations and strengthen regulatory presence.

“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”, the CGC stated.

He emphasised the importance of synergy between Customs and private sector operators in driving national economic goals. “We are looking forward to a symbiotic relationship, that which will benefit the Nigeria Customs Service, the Federal Government of Nigeria, and the Nigerdock as a corporate entity.”

In his remarks, the Managing Director of SIIFZ, Semiu Akorede, expressed appreciation for the Service’s support and highlighted the significance of the visit to the zone’s operational growth.

“Your coming here today is going to add a lot of value. We have enjoyed the support of Customs officers that are working with us here, and those that come here to carry out some operations, and I can confirm to you that we have been working together without any rancour”, he stated.

“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 related development and as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional partnerships and support government agencies with reliable digital infrastructure, Galaxy Backbone Limited on Thursday, 2 May 2025, paid a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network Service (NCBN) at the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Headquarters in Abuja.

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

Speaking during the visit, Mr. Anafulu expressed Galaxy Backbone’s appreciation for the warm reception, stating that the company’s mandate as a government owned technology solutions provider aligns with the Nigeria Customs Service’s digital transformation agenda. He noted that Galaxy Backbone is eager to collaborate with the Service in critical areas such as cloud storage, secured internet connectivity, data backup, and cybersecurity infrastructure.

“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,” Anafulu said. “From secure cloud storage to robust data protection mechanisms, Galaxy Backbone has the capacity to support your evolving digital needs.”

Mr. Anafulu further emphasised that efficient data management and secure communication networks are crucial for modern Customs administrations, especially in a global trade environment increasingly driven by digital tools and cross border integration.

In his response, Assistant Comptroller Maiwada thanked the Galaxy Backbone team for their visit and commended their forward looking approach to public sector collaboration. He acknowledged the growing need for synergy between ICT providers and government institutions in an era defined by data security, transparency, and operational efficiency.

“The Nigeria Customs Service is undergoing a comprehensive technological revolution anchored on the Trade Modernisation Project,” Maiwada 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 the B’Odogwu platform is envisioned as a fully integrated digital ecosystem that will streamline trade processes, reduce manual intervention, and promote 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 solved our indigenous challenges,” he added.

AC Maiwada noted that partnerships with organisations like Galaxy Backbone are essential for ensuring the reliability, scalability, and security of Customs’ digital infrastructure. He expressed optimism about potential areas of collaboration, especially in secure data storage, platform hosting, and high-speed connectivity for the Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network (NCBN).

The visit concluded with a guided tour of the NCBN facilities, led by the Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Abubakar Ardo. The team was taken through the studio’s broadcast, editing, and production facilities located within the Customs Headquarters premises.

Mr. Ardo described NCBN as a strategic communication arm of the Service, “We are committed to projecting the Service’s reform agenda, enhancing public awareness, and fostering stakeholder engagement through high quality multimedia content as well as creating a niche for ourselves within the business sector”.

Ardo expressed hope that future partnerships with Galaxy Backbone would help strengthen the network’s technical capacity and outreach capabilities.