Nigeria Customs Unveils B’Odogwu System to Revolutionise Trade Operations
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has officially launched B’Odogwu, a cutting-edge Unified Customs Management System, with the aim of enhancing trade efficiency and modernising customs operations across the country.
The pilot phase was rolled out at the Port & Terminal Multi-Services Limited (PTML) in Lagos.
Speaking during the launch event at the PTML Command, Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, hailed the platform as a groundbreaking advancement in Nigeria’s customs administration.
He described it as a key part of the NCS’s broader vision to transition to a fully paperless system in line with global best practices.
“B’Odogwu is our new customs management system that embodies our vision for a paperless customs administration, facilitating seamless trade while maintaining robust security measures,” CGC Adeniyi stated during his address.
The newly introduced B’Odogwu system is set to replace the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS II), the current legacy platform.
Adeniyi revealed that the new system was designed with future integration in mind, particularly with the anticipated National Single Window, which the Federal Government plans to implement.
“It is important to note that B’Odogwu will eventually replace NICIS II as our legacy system. The system has been developed with foresight, acknowledging that the National Single Window will be coming on board soon, and B’Odogwu will be integrated with it when implemented by the Federal Government,” he added.
The launch of B’Odogwu is grounded in the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which empowers the NCS to develop and maintain electronic systems.
Citing sections 28 and 29 of the Act, CGC Adeniyi emphasised the legal framework supporting the new system, which prioritises transparency and stakeholder engagement.
He further urged stakeholders to welcome the change with an open mind and provide feedback that could enhance the system’s efficiency.
“As we commence this pilot, I urge all stakeholders to embrace this change with optimism and provide constructive feedback that will help us refine and improve the system, as your input is crucial to the success of this initiative,” he said.
The B’Odogwu system promises to streamline end-to-end business processes, offering stakeholders greater integration capabilities while facilitating more intelligent business decisions.
According to the CGC, it is also designed to ease the process of doing business in Nigeria by enhancing customs operations and decision-making.
In a gesture of appreciation, Adeniyi acknowledged the vital support of terminal operators, customs officers, licensed customs agents, and the Trade Modernisation Project team, who have played key roles in the development and rollout of the platform.
He also encouraged officers at the PTML command to fully engage with the training programmes associated with B’Odogwu, stressing that their success at this stage would serve as a model for other commands across the country.
“You will now play the role of pace setters in the Nigeria Customs Service. It is being sown here; we are going to nurture it to fruition here, and we want to assure you that it is going to work,” he affirmed.
The development of the B’Odogwu system is a collaborative effort between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Trade Modernisation Project team, marking a significant step towards achieving greater efficiency in Nigeria’s customs operations.
With this innovative system in place, the NCS is poised to transform the nation’s trade landscape, ensuring smoother, faster, and more secure customs processes.
