· Nigeria Customs Service has completed all technical, operational, and policy pre-requisites for SIGMAT
· Seme has remained relevant since 1914 after the amalgamation
Earlier today, you launched the SIGMAT programme. What does it signify?
Yes, I was at the ECOWAS Joint Border Post for the technical launch of the SIGMAT programme. It’s a bilateral effort between Nigeria and Benin, coordinated by ECOWAS Secretariat, to provide a platform for transit, import, and export trade between our various countries. And so in the future, we will be talking of a command that will superintend and manage international trade that is technology-driven. So it’s going to represent a new watershed in history. It is going to change the narrative of cross-border trade. Today’s launch is more than a technical achievement, it is a powerful demonstration of regional solidarity and institutional leadership. Let us harness this momentum to transform our trade corridors into engines of prosperity, security, and opportunity for the people of West Africa.
For those who might not be familiar, what exactly is SIGMAT?
SIGMAT stands for the Interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit. It’s a flagship initiative of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), aimed at digitalizing and harmonizing customs transit operations across member states. It was designed to improve visibility of goods in transit, combat diversion and fraud, enhance inter-agency coordination, simplify border procedures, and facilitate trade while securing state revenue.
What steps has Nigeria Customs Service taken in implementing SIGMAT?
I’m pleased to report that the Nigeria Customs Service has completed all technical, operational, and policy pre-requisites. This includes the development of a dedicated SIGMAT application built by our in-house technical team, integration with our Unified Customs Management System (B’Odogwu Application), establishment of secure connectivity with Benin, and deployment at the Seme Area Command as the pilot corridor. We also successfully connected to the ECOWAS eHub in Lomé, Togo. Some key achievements include the successful testing of real-time transit message exchange between Nigeria and Benin, mapping and harmonisation of entry/exit itineraries at the Seme-Krake border, and strengthened collaboration with the Benin Customs Administration through multiple bilateral technical meetings. These milestones reflect our technical capacity and unwavering commitment to regional integration.
Were there any challenges encountered along the way?
Yes, there were. Challenges include the deployment of new clearance applications in both Nigeria and Benin, delays in technical feedback from Benin at critical stages, varying levels of automation across border posts, the need for stakeholder sensitisation and training, language barriers during technical meetings, and limited operational awareness among some border communities. We propose to expand SIGMAT deployment to other border locations like Idiroko, Chikanda, and Katsina; strengthen bilateral communication; collaborate with ECOWAS and GIZ for capacity building; establish a joint SIGMAT Monitoring Taskforce; and continue engagement with the ECOWAS SIGMAT Steering Committee. We reaffirm our full support for the ECOWAS digital trade facilitation agenda, including the expansion of SIGMAT to multimodal transport corridors, alignment with the ECOWAS Regional Trade and Transport Observatory, collaboration on cross-border digital identity, and harmonisation of legislation for SIGMAT operations.
How do you place the role of history in your leadership?
It’s very difficult to speak after a robust historian like Dr. Ben, who has given us all the milestones within and beyond these shows. You must have seen his books on customs administrations, international relations, public relations—areas where we also share touchpoints, being both members of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations. But let me not speak from history today; let me pick it up from geography. Seme’s strategic location has remained relevant since 1914 after the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates. Just across the small lagoon near the bridge in Gbaji, to the right, is where the first Customs post in Nigeria was established. History has it that the Hawk Sentinel was the first vessel to berth there. And that was where we had the first sets of Customs officers who were there to monitor and collect duties of coast-wide trade. There was no Apapa port, no Tin Can port. It was because the kind of vessels that were coming were those that could only approach us through the lagoon. And so historically, the ecosystem that we have around Seme has been a very historical milestone for us in Nigeria. If we still go back to history where we stand now since the late 1980s used to serve as the Customs Area Controllers Office. So many generations of Customs officers and Area Controllers have passed through this building and they had managed trade in a very analogue manner. People come from across, they declare, they go to baggage, we do assessments, they pay duty, they go. Some don’t. They go through the various creeks behind us or they go into the various bushes around Apa, Owode, and then our patrols are set up. That has been the traditional ways in which Customs was doing its job. Now things are going to change with a new orientation, with a new approach.
What’s your view on COWA’s role in Customs’ development?
I want to start by acknowledging the tremendous work done by COWA. I must acknowledge my wife in absentia (She’s not here; Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi) for the wonderful job that she has been doing in the Customs Officers Wives Association, using it as a vehicle to mobilize our wives, providing a rallying force, and giving us the emotional support that we need to function as efficient Customs Officers. In a few days, we will be inviting all of you to Abuja to celebrate the graduation of the first set of officers’ wives and students who are admitted into our Skills Acquisition Centers. They have been undergoing training in different aspects. The center was commissioned by Excellency, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who has also been a very strong pillar of support. And it is so very delightful to see our wives who have been trained in various skills such as bead making, hairdressing, computer, running of business centers, and all various skills in this place. We will be witnessing the graduations of the students on Thursday, and we are so very delighted that they have been useful and very invaluable ambassadors.
What about other CSR initiatives by Customs?
Last month, Customs Cares, which is our corporate social responsibility programme, birthed in Zone ‘A’ Lagos after the launch during the last quarter. And part of what we do is to support our various communities using the SDG goals as our launch pad; such as Education, Health, Creative Economy, Skills acquisitions, and all of that. So I’m therefore very delighted that here in Seme, the Customs Officers’ Wives Association has found it necessary to have this modern office that will coordinate the activities and serve as the rallying point for all our customs officers and for all the wives of Customs officers in this place. I hope and I pray that they will have the wherewithal, the resources and all the innovative ideas that will help to empower your members and, of course, empower the communities that you serve. I want to promise that all the assistance that COWA will need, the loving CAC would be willing to provide them. And if there are things you still need that the CAC cannot provide, we will be able to provide them right from our headquarters in Abuja.
What role do physical and mental wellness play in your plans?
There are lots of other projects, like the gym. I’m indeed very delighted that the CAC has taken the initiative in ensuring that we have these projects working well. There are a number of welfare projects that Customs have started in this Command. If you look towards this direction, you will see that this is meant to be an upgrade of the long tennis court that we had in this place. We are also building a five-a-side playing pitch somewhere around this place, in addition to the officers’ mess facilities that have been put in place by the Command. So it’s an exciting time for Customs officers, their families, and also members of other agencies of government that are working in Seme. All of these facilities will be open to all of us, so that we can strive to keep a healthy life, and a good balance between our lives and our official commitments. Badagry is far from here. Lagos is far from here. Most of you spend your nights and all your time around these border stations. So you have the opportunity to ensure that you exercise daily and you keep a healthy life.
Kindly share some insights on promotion and career growth under your leadership?
I need you to know that not everybody that is eligible for promotion can be promoted, because of the pyramid rule. So there are 1,000 spaces for two-star officers. By the time you get to three-star, the number reduces. By the time you get to superintendent, the number reduces further; because in any organization, it must be a pyramid. So there is no magic to it. When there are promotion exams, prepare well for it. The best will be most eligible, and they will be promoted. Let me add something to it. In the last deployment that we did, for the promotion of new Controllers, my DCG here can bear witness. What we did was that we took the results of the promotion exams from Deputy Controller to Controller. And what did they say? They said if you come first in that exam, you should count for something. We should not give you the same assignment with somebody who came 50, because he knows somebody. So we just took it from number one. Number one, who came first? Which is the most strategic of our posting? Go to this place. Who came second? Which one is next in terms of size and volume? Go to this place. And that was what we did for the first 10. And as long as I remain Comptroller General, it is that merit that will continue to shape what we do. We also don’t sacrifice fairness. I have said so much, but I just want you people to understand that we can achieve a very healthy balance between fairness and merit and still get our system going.
You often emphasize fairness and merit. How do these values influence your decisions?
The idea of giving equal opportunity to everybody and ensuring that fairness drives our decisions and our strategic choices—that we give merit a say in everything we do—has been my primary motivating factor. I see myself as a product of merit, a product of fairness, and I must say I’ve enjoyed the grace of God. When that happens, you owe God that obligation to be fair to everybody and to ensure that you give merit a chance in what we do. That has been my motivating factor. So, irrespective of where you come from, whether your forefathers were among those who came to Badagry in 1752 or not, if we find you very capable to be here, we will send you here.
