Customs, CBN Deepen Collaboration to Implement Technology-Driven Trade Reforms
…As NCS Prepares Nationwide Rollout of B’Odogwu System
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in a bid to modernise Nigeria’s trade processes and enhance revenue generation, has strengthened its partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to facilitate the implementation of the indigenous B’Odogwu trade facilitation system.
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to this collaboration during a courtesy visit to the CBN headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, 27 February 2025, where he met with the apex bank’s governor, Olayemi Cardoso.
According to Adeniyi, the B’Odogwu platform was developed to replace the ageing Nigerian Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS) II, following the expiration of the contract with its previous service provider.
He described the initiative as a transformative step that would streamline Customs operations, improve efficiency in trade documentation, and optimise revenue collection.
“The initiative is expected to modernise Customs operations, improve efficiency in trade documentation, and enhance revenue collection,” he stated.
Adeniyi emphasised the importance of seamless integration between the NCS and financial institutions, particularly in automating foreign exchange transactions and trade-related payments.
He noted that while the pilot phase of B’Odogwu commenced at the Port and Terminal Multi-services Limited (PTML) Area Command in Lagos, some initial resistance was encountered from certain Authorised Dealer Banks (ADBs).
“We began piloting the B’Odogwu programme at the PTML Area Command in Lagos and engaged all stakeholders, including the Central Bank. Three months into the pilot phase, we integrated key trade documentation processes such as Form M and the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) but encountered initial challenges, particularly resistance from some of the Authorised Dealer Banks (ADBs),” Adeniyi noted.
To address these challenges, he urged the CBN to grant the necessary approvals for banks to integrate into the system, ensuring seamless transactions.
He also highlighted the need to resolve bottlenecks in the manual process of communicating exchange rates from the CBN to the Customs Service for duty collection.
Adeniyi commended the Central Bank for its support and called for sustained cooperation to facilitate a smooth nationwide rollout of the B’Odogwu platform.
Responding to the Customs Comptroller-General, CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso lauded the NCS for its forward-thinking approach to trade facilitation and pledged the bank’s commitment to supporting the initiative.
“I am pleased to see a new direction in Customs operations. Collaboration is key, and we will continue to work closely to ensure seamless integration. Our commitment is to provide the necessary support so that the banking sector aligns with this transition,” Cardoso said.
He assured that the CBN would work towards ensuring compliance among commercial banks with directives aimed at improving trade processes and boosting revenue collection efficiency.
