Lilypond Export Command’s Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya, has applauded Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi for two years of remarkable leadership that’s modernized the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), turbocharged trade facilitation and strengthened revenue collection.
Home-Grown Tech Takes Center Stage
When Adeniyi inherited a foreign-built IT platform, he challenged local talent to design something better. The result is the B’Odogwu application—an entirely indigenous solution that has outperformed its predecessor at Port Harcourt’s PTML Command and rolled out seamlessly to Tin Can, Apapa and now Lilypond Export. Odusanya says B’Odogwu processes imports and exports faster, slashes errors and delivers the real-time visibility traders crave.
Prioritizing Compliant Traders with AEO
Under Adeniyi’s leadership, the NCS rolled out the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program for importers—and mirrored it on the export side—to reward consistently compliant businesses with expedited clearance, reduced demurrage risk and VIP-style support. Odusanya notes this tiered system has already saved members hundreds of millions of naira and spurred non-AEO traders to up their game.
Investing in People and Skills
Modern systems demand modern skills. That’s why Adeniyi has championed expanded training and capacity-building, ensuring every command has officers who not only can run the new platforms but also embrace a trade-facilitation mindset. “We now have an army of tech-savvy, service-oriented officers,” Odusanya says—and the proof is in faster processing times and smoother stakeholder interactions.
Record-Smashing Revenue and Exports
From Port Harcourt to Lagos, commands are smashing revenue projections on imports while export volumes continue climbing. Beyond raw commodities, Nigerian entrepreneurs are shipping more finished and value-added goods abroad—thanks in part to streamlined customs processes that make international markets more accessible.
Tough on Smuggling, Strong on Seizures
Adeniyi hasn’t neglected enforcement. Under his watch, seizures of contraband—ranging from illicit drugs and petroleum products to counterfeit goods—have surged both at seaports and northern borders. “We’ve never seen this level of anti-smuggling activity in my 30-plus years in the service,” Odusanya affirms.
Championing Welfare, Promotions and Incentives
Morale is up as the CGC has revived regular promotion cycles, spot-awarded outstanding officers and introduced enhanced retirement benefits and insurance cover for families. Junior officers on fast-track development programs, staff pursuing further education and new recruits joining through last year’s intake all cite Adeniyi’s people-first approach.
A Stellar Two-Year Grade
Asked to score Adeniyi’s first two years, Odusanya gives him a solid 80%. “He’s an all-rounder—visionary, hands-on, and genuinely committed to uplifting both officers and stakeholders. The NCS has never been stronger.”
As Adeniyi embarks on Year 3, the foundation is set for deeper digital innovation, bolder trade-facilitation policies and sustained revenue growth—cementing his legacy as one of the NCS’s most transformative leaders.