The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has initiated the phased rollout of the Unified Customs Management System, known as B’Odogwu, aimed at enhancing cargo clearance efficiency in Nigerian ports. Once fully operational, this innovative system is expected to facilitate trade and streamline the cargo clearance process within an impressive timeframe of under eight hours.
A pre-launch event was conducted on Monday for stakeholders and customs officials at the Apapa and Tincan commands, marking a pivotal step towards modernizing Nigeria’s trade infrastructure.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, announced that the Federal Government has ceased renewing contracts with previous service providers in favor of the new system.
Adeniyi explained that the government had initially partnered with a service provider for over ten years to support customs operations, which included the establishment of the National Customs Information System (NICIS).
“The Federal Government has stopped renewing the contract for the previous provider, which established the NICIS platform. Government has now engaged another provider, Trade Modernisation Project (TMP), while Customs has introduced B’Odogwu to offer stakeholders a more robust cargo clearance process,” Adeniyi stated.
He emphasized the significance of the pre-launch event, describing it as a milestone in transitioning towards a global trade classification system under the Trade Modernisation Project. Despite initial challenges faced by stakeholders, particularly at the Port and Cargo Multi Service Ltd. (PTML) Customs Command regarding bank integration, Adeniyi noted that B’Odogwu has already demonstrated its potential for success.
“As of February 27, I met with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Kadoso, who has endorsed B’Odogwu,” he added. Adeniyi urged stakeholders to collaborate in overcoming challenges ahead of the system’s full implementation.
Reflecting on the introduction of NICIS in 2013, he recalled the initial difficulties that were eventually resolved through stakeholder support. He asserted that the complete implementation of B’Odogwu would significantly reduce processing times, minimize errors, and enhance overall efficiency.
Deputy Comptroller-General for ICT and Trade, Kikelomo Adeola, highlighted that early implementation results indicate the platform’s potential to lower business costs. “We prioritize training for stakeholders so they fully understand the process before full implementation at Apapa and Tincan Island,” she remarked.
Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs and Zone ‘A’ Coordinator, Charles Orbih, praised the CGC for introducing three pillars: Conservation, Collaboration, and Innovation. He noted that this transformative initiative would reshape NCS operations on a global scale, positioning Nigerian ports as a benchmark for customs innovation worldwide. B’Odogwu was initially launched in October 2024.
In his welcome address, Babatunde Olomu, Controller of the Apapa Customs Command, commended the CGC for implementing B’Odogwu to enhance revenue generation. “We have concluded a series of training sessions with stakeholders and officers to ensure effective implementation of the indigenous platform,” he stated, encouraging stakeholders to use the pre-launch as a platform to voice challenges for resolution prior to full implementation.
Controller of PTML, Tenny Daniyan, reported that processing a Single Goods Declaration (SGD) now takes less than an hour under the B’Odogwu system. “PTML Command has generated N120 billion since implementing B’Odogwu and processed 16,000 SGDs. Although we faced teething problems at the start, with the CGC’s intervention and discussions with the CBN Governor, our progress has been significant,” Daniyan concluded.
