The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said that challenges in the initial phase of the implementation of the Unified Customs Management System, more commonly known as B’Odogwu, would be systematically resolved through structured stakeholder engagement, phased improvements, and continuous system upgrades.
This was disclosed by the comptroller general of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, after a high-level consultation with the executive secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Pius Akutah, in line with its modernisation and commitment to the trade facilitation drive of the service.
In a statement by the national public relations officer of the Service, Abdulahi Maiwada, the engagement with the Shippers’ Council boss provided a platform to deliberate on practical solutions aimed at mitigating the inconveniences experienced by operators.
According to Maiwada, the Council’s boss conveyed industry feedback from freight forwarders and agents, noting operational challenges related to system integration, documentation, and port logistics.
Maiwada said the Council boss stressed the need for urgent responses to minimise financial losses and prevent disruptions in the cargo clearance chain.
“The NCS has engaged in a high-level consultation with the NSC on the implementation of B’Odogwu. Following concerns raised by freight forwarders and Licensed Customs Agents regarding delays and demurrage linked to the B’Odogwu rollout, the Customs CG met with the Shippers’ Council ES in Abuja. The engagement provided a platform to deliberate on practical solutions aimed at mitigating the inconveniences experienced by operators.
“The Shippers’ Council ES conveyed industry feedback from freight forwarders and agents, noting operational challenges related to system integration, documentation, and port logistics. He stressed the need for urgent responses to minimise financial losses and prevent disruptions in the cargo clearance chain,” Maiwada stated.
The Customs spokesman further stated that sustained dialogue, collaboration and further consultations with stakeholders, including shipping lines and terminal operators, would continue to align processes and address emerging concerns.
“Furthermore, the CGC reaffirmed that B’Odogwu, a flagship project under the Customs Modernisation Programme, remains critical to achieving a transparent, technology-driven, and globally competitive clearance process.
“He assured that challenges in this initial phase would be systematically resolved through structured stakeholder engagement, phased improvements, and continuous system upgrades.
“With this engagement, the NCS and NSC underscored the importance of sustained dialogue and collaboration, noting that further consultations with stakeholders, including shipping lines and terminal operators, would continue to align processes and address emerging concerns.
Maiwada reiterated that the B’Odogwu is an indigenous platform aimed at centralising Customs processes, integrating stakeholders into a unified system while cutting clearance timelines, reducing costs, boosting compliance, and strengthening government revenue.
“The Service also emphasised that while transitional issues are expected in large-scale reforms, measures are being implemented to limit disruptions and shield operators from excessive costs such as demurrage.”
“It is pertinent to note that the B’Odogwu is an indigenous platform aimed at centralising Customs processes, integrating stakeholders into a unified system while cutting clearance timelines, reducing costs, boosting compliance, and strengthening government revenue.
“The NCS, therefore, calls on stakeholders to support the implementation process, provide constructive feedback, and partner with Customs in building a modernised trade ecosystem that promotes efficiency, competitiveness, and national development,” he stated.
