Nigeria Customs Dismisses Payment Rumours Over Form M Migration to B’Odogwu Platform
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has debunked reports suggesting that importers or their clearing agents are required to make payments to migrate their Form M documentation from the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS) II to the newly introduced B’Odogwu Trade Management System.
In a statement issued on Friday, the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Dr Abdullahi Maiwada, made it clear that the rumoured fee is “false, misleading, and entirely unfounded.”
He explained that the ongoing migration is a purely technical and administrative exercise initiated by the Service to ensure uninterrupted processing of trade documents amid the phased rollout of the B’Odogwu system across Customs Area Commands.
At no point, he said, has the Service “introduced, approved, or authorised any fee for migrating Form M from NICIS II to B’Odogwu.”
To facilitate a seamless transition, importers and agents whose Bills of Lading or manifests have already been transmitted via the B’Odogwu platform—but whose Form M was previously registered on NICIS II—are required to submit a soft copy of the existing Form M to the Technical Supervisor in their respective commands. The Customs Service will then carry out the migration process free of charge.
Upon successful migration, users are expected to log in to their dashboard on the B’Odogwu platform where they can: Locate the already migrated and registered Form M, Click to view the full details, and Use the “Create PAAR” button that appears to initiate PAAR processing.
The NCS strongly urged stakeholders to disregard any individuals or groups soliciting payments under the pretext of assisting with Form M migration, describing such actions as “illegal” and detrimental to the integrity and transparency of Customs processes.
The agency encouraged those affected by such extortion attempts to report them promptly through the Service’s official communication channels.
Dr Maiwada reaffirmed that under the leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, the Service is focused on building a transparent, user-friendly, and technologically advanced trade environment.
He also expressed appreciation for the cooperation of the trading community during the transition phase.
“The Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to supporting all stakeholders as we continue to enhance service delivery through innovation and integrity,” the statement concluded.
