The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it uncovering an evolving web of transnational smuggling tactics, intercepting unauthorised drones, telecommunications devices, counterfeit pharmaceuticals and expired food products with a street value of ₦921 million—while steadily advancing its indigenous digital trade platform, B’Odogwu, across key Lagos ports.
“Importers are diversifying their contraband portfolios,” Mr Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, says during a press briefing held at the Apapa Port, where he reveals the seizures and outlines a growing threat to Nigeria’s borders.
“These shipments combine pharmaceuticals, food items, and controlled technology in a systematic way,” the Customs boss says. “Our collective vigilance remains the most effective deterrent against transnational criminal networks seeking to compromise our borders.”
The Customs crackdown, he says, carried out between January and April 2025, includes 11 seizures involving five 40-foot containers, two 20-foot containers, and four smaller consignments. Seized items range from expired margarine and sexual enhancement drugs to 60 units of warrior drones and 10 professional FM transceiver walkie-talkies—the latter imported without the required End-User Certificates, a statutory requirement under Nigerian law.
The Customs crackdown, he says, carried out between January and April 2025, includes 11 seizures involving five 40-foot containers, two 20-foot containers, and four smaller consignments. Seized items range from expired margarine and sexual enhancement drugs to 60 units of warrior drones and 10 professional FM transceiver walkie-talkies—the latter imported without the required End-User Certificates, a statutory requirement under Nigerian law.
Mr Adeniyi raises serious concern about the spike in unregistered pharmaceuticals, noting that many of the drugs intercepted do not have mandatory certification. “These products lack the necessary NAFDAC registration numbers, which is a clear violation of Section 28 of the NAFDAC Act,” he warns.
Echoing his concerns, Dr Olakunle Olaniran, Director of Ports Inspection at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), adds weight to the alarm.
“These are completely falsified medicines,” Dr Olaniran says. “Nigerians must be wary—do not self-medicate. Always obtain your medicines from registered pharmacies.”
The joint effort by the NCS and NAFDAC underscores a new chapter in Nigeria’s border defence strategy, combining digital transformation, cross-agency collaboration, and public awareness to fight the inflow of unsafe goods.
B’Odogwu gains ground in Nigeria’s Customs modernisation drive
While bolstering its enforcement efforts, he says the NCS is also deepening the implementation of B’Odogwu, a locally-built digital platform designed to automate and streamline trade facilitation processes at Nigerian ports.
Earlier in the day, Mr Adeniyi visited the Port & Terminal Multi-Services Limited (PTML) and Tin Can Island Port (TCIP) to inspect the rollout of the B’Odogwu system and interact with port stakeholders.
The B’Odogwu platform, developed in-house by NCS ICT officers, represents a major milestone in Nigeria’s digital governance of trade, according to the government agency. Already, it has processed over 16,000 customs declarations during its pilot phase at PTML and has generated more than ₦120 billion in revenue in just three months.
“We’re here to see firsthand how stakeholders are engaging with the B’Odogwu system,” the Customs Comptroller-General says. “Our goal is to resolve operational challenges quickly and ensure the system empowers traders, clears cargo faster and increases compliance.”
The B’Odogwu platform, developed in-house by NCS ICT officers, represents a major milestone in Nigeria’s digital governance of trade, according to the government agency. Already, it has processed over 16,000 customs declarations during its pilot phase at PTML and has generated more than ₦120 billion in revenue in just three months.
According to Deputy Comptroller-General Kikelomo Adeola, who oversees ICT and Modernisation at NCS, the B’Odogwu platform is proving highly stable and resilient.
“Since its introduction, B’Odogwu has recorded zero downtime,” she says. “This speaks to the robustness of the system and the capacity of our ICT team to deliver scalable solutions.”
B’Odogwu: Built by Nigerians, for Nigeria
B’Odogwu’s development signals a new digital sovereignty narrative in Nigeria’s customs operations, in line with the Federal Government’s broader agenda of enhancing ease of doing business, digitalising trade, and blocking revenue leakages.
The platform integrates critical trade documents such as the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) and Form ‘M’, and aims to digitalise up to 80% of customs operations, significantly reducing manual bottlenecks and increasing efficiency.
“Trade facilitation is at the heart of this innovation,” Mr Adeniyi notes, as he describes the platform’s capacity to provide real-time insights, reduce delays, and improve accountability in port operations.
From seizures to strategy: Nigeria Customs’ dual-front campaign
The seizure of banned goods and launch of new digital tools reflect a dual-front campaign by the Nigeria Customs Service: while physically securing borders against illegal trade, it is also embedding digital resilience within its trade ecosystem.
According to NCS, the drones seized are classified as “warrior” surveillance drones, typically used for tactical purposes and requiring strict importation protocols. The unauthorised telecommunications equipment—particularly the FM transceivers—raise additional concerns about potential misuse for criminal coordination.
According to NCS, the drones seized are classified as “warrior” surveillance drones, typically used for tactical purposes and requiring strict importation protocols. The unauthorised telecommunications equipment—particularly the FM transceivers—raise additional concerns about potential misuse for criminal coordination.
Customs officials confirm that investigations are ongoing to determine the origin and intended use of the drones and walkie-talkies.
“It’s not just about stopping goods at the ports,” Mr Adeniyi explains. “It’s about understanding who is sending them, who is receiving them, and what they plan to do with them.”
Public health threats lurking in the shadows
The seizures also highlight the public health threat posed by falsified and expired drugs entering Nigeria’s pharmaceutical market.
Dr Olaniran says the intercepted sexual enhancement pills and other medications were labelled with fake or non-existent NAFDAC numbers, posing “grave risks to users.”
NAFDAC is calling on Nigerians to remain vigilant and avoid patronising unregulated pharmacies or engaging in self-medication practices that could prove fatal.
“This is not just an economic crime—it’s a threat to life,” the NAFDAC official warns.
Stakeholder engagement and the road ahead
As part of the implementation strategy for B’Odogwu, Customs is actively engaging freight forwarders, port operators, and other stakeholders to familiarise them with the platform and co-create solutions to emerging challenges.
The agency has also initiated on-site training sessions and feedback mechanisms to ensure the platform meets the dynamic needs of Nigeria’s import-export community.
“We will continue to improve B’Odogwu based on what users tell us on the ground,” Ms Adeola says. “This is a collaborative journey.”
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