As part of its modernisation agenda and commitment to trade facilitation, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has engaged in consultations with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) on the implementation of the Unified Customs Management System, widely known as B’Odogwu.
B’Odogwu is an indigenous digital platform designed to centralise Customs processes, integrate stakeholders within a single system, shorten clearance timelines, cut costs, enhance compliance, and strengthen government revenue.
In a statement on Tuesday, the NCS National Public Relations Officer, Dr Abdullahi Maiwada, explained that the meeting followed concerns raised by freight forwarders and Licensed Customs Agents over delays and demurrage linked to the system’s introduction.
On Monday, Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, met with the NSC’s Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Akutah Ukeyima, at the NCS headquarters in Abuja to discuss practical measures to ease the difficulties faced by operators.
Ukeyima conveyed industry feedback from freight forwarders and agents, pointing to operational challenges related to system integration, documentation, and port logistics. He emphasised the urgency of minimising financial losses and preventing disruptions in the cargo clearance process.
Adeniyi reaffirmed that B’Odogwu, a flagship initiative under the Customs Modernisation Programme, is vital for establishing a transparent, technology-driven, and globally competitive clearance system. He assured stakeholders that initial difficulties would be systematically resolved through structured engagement, phased improvements, and ongoing upgrades.
Both agencies underscored the importance of sustained dialogue and collaboration, noting that further consultations with stakeholders—including shipping lines and terminal operators—would continue to ensure alignment and address emerging concerns.
The NCS also stressed that transitional issues are inevitable in large-scale reforms but highlighted measures being taken to mitigate disruptions and shield operators from excessive costs such as demurrage.
The Service therefore urged stakeholders to support the roll-out, provide constructive feedback, and partner with Customs in building a modernised trade ecosystem that promotes efficiency, competitiveness, and national development.
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