Apapa Customs Hosts Staff College Students on Modernisation Study Tour
Author: Lucy Nyambi.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, hosted students of Junior Course 23 from the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, on an operational study tour on Monday, 17 November 2025. The tour focused on the impact of Customs modernisation on trade facilitation.
Speaking during the visit, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, the Customs Area Controller, described the visit as a critical engagement that aligns with the Service’s ongoing reform agenda.
He noted that the chosen theme of the tour, “Evaluating the Impact of Customs Modernisation on Trade Facilitation “, comes at a time when the NCS is rolling out extensive modernisation programmes to strengthen efficiency and improve service delivery.
Comptroller Oshoba highlighted Apapa as one of the busiest and most strategic ports in Nigeria. “Our port is a critical component of the nation’s economy, and we recognise the importance of ensuring that our operations are efficient, effective, and compliant with international standards.”
He outlined several reform-driven innovations currently operational in Apapa, including the B’Odogwu system, Time Release Study, Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, Electronic Cargo Tracking, the One-Stop-Shop initiative, and the Advanced Ruling System (ARS). These, he said, have contributed to faster cargo clearance, improved security, and enhanced stakeholder satisfaction.
Addressing the students, Comptroller Oshoba emphasised the importance of the visit in shaping their understanding of modern customs operations, noting that they represent the next generation of leaders within the Service. He encouraged them to fully engage with the sessions to gain firsthand insight into how modernisation is transforming trade processes.
The CAC expressed optimism that the knowledge shared during the exercise would further strengthen the students’ professional development and contribute to the Service’s continuous drive toward modern, technology-driven operations.
