Customs commences implementation of unified system to clear cargo under eight hours

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has begun implementing the B’Odogwu unified management system, a homegrown innovation designed to streamline cargo clearance processes.

At a pre-launch event on Monday, Bashir Adeniyi, comptroller-general (CG) of customs, said the implementation, when completed, will reduce waiting times in Nigerian ports to under eight hours.

The event included stakeholders and customs officials at the Apapa and Tincan commands.

Adeniyi said the federal government has stopped renewing contracts with previous service providers, opting instead to roll out a new system after a decade-long engagement.

“The federal government has stopped renewing the contract for the previous provider, which established the NICIS platform,” he said.

“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.”

According to Adeniyi, the pre-launch marks a significant milestone, transitioning the country towards global trade classification under the trade modernisation project.

He said B’Odogwu has already shown success, although stakeholders at Port and Cargo Multi Service Ltd (PTML) customs command have faced challenges integrating banks into the platform.

“As of Feb. 27, I met with the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Olayemi Kadoso, who has endorsed B’Odogwu,” Adeniyi said.

The CG asked stakeholders to collaborate in addressing challenges before B’Odogwu’s full implementation, citing NICIS’s successful resolution of initial difficulties through stakeholder support.

He further assured that B’Odogwu will reduce processing times, minimise errors, and enhance efficiency.

‘B’ODOGWU TO HELP LOWER BUSINESS COSTS’

Kikelomo Adeola, assistant comptroller-general of NCS in charge of ICT and modernisation, said the initial implementation shows the platform would help lower business costs.

“We prioritise training for stakeholders so they fully understand the process before full implementation at Apapa and Tincan Island,” she said.

Charles Orbih, NCS assistant comptroller-general zone A coordinator, commended the Certified Guarantee Company (CGC) for introducing three pillars — conservation, collaboration, and innovation.

Orbih said B’Odogwu, launched in October 2024, will reshape its operations globally and position Nigerian ports as a model for customs innovation worldwide.

Babatunde Olomu, the controller of Apapa customs command, in his welcome address, praised the CGC for implementing B’Odogwu to boost revenue generation.

“We have concluded a series of training sessions with stakeholders and officers to ensure effective implementation of the indigenous platform,” Olomu said.

He asked stakeholders to use the pre-launch as an opportunity to highlight challenges so they can be addressed before full implementation.

Tenny Daniyan, controller of PTML, said processing a single goods declaration (SGD) now takes less than an hour under B’Odogwu.

“PTML command has generated N120 billion since implementing B’Odogwu and processed 16,000 SGDs,” Daniyan said.

“Although we faced teething problems at the start, with the CG’s intervention and discussions with the CBN governor, our issues have been resolved.”

On February 11, the NCS announced the suspension of the implementation of a 4 percent charge on the free-on-board (FOB) value of imports.

The NCS also said it is already implementing several digital solutions, including the recently deployed B’Odogwu clearance system, benefiting stakeholders through faster clearance times and improved transparency.