The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has taken a major step toward modernizing its trade facilitation system with the issuance of its first Pre-Arrival Assessment Report under the newly introduced B’Odogwu system, okay.ng reports.
This development marks the start of a nationwide rollout of the Unified Customs Management System, designed to streamline customs operations, enhance trade documentation, and improve inter-agency collaboration.
Assistant Comptroller of Customs and National Public Relations Officer, Abdullah Maiwada, announced in a statement on Friday that the B’Odogwu system will replace the existing Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS II). “This achievement marks a significant milestone in our commitment to technology-driven trade reforms,” the statement read, emphasizing that the new system is expected to deliver a more transparent, efficient, and seamless approach to trade facilitation.
Developed to automate and integrate various customs functions, the B’Odogwu system aims to reduce processing times for trade documents and foster greater cooperation among regulatory agencies. A pilot test at the Port and Terminal Multi-Services Limited (PTML) Customs Area Command garnered positive feedback from stakeholders, including several government agencies involved in trade facilitation.
The rollout follows a recent strategic engagement between Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi and Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso, during which both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to improving trade processes, boosting revenue collection, and enhancing financial integration in Nigeria’s import and export systems.
Expressing his optimism, Comptroller-General Adeniyi said, “The B’Odogwu system is designed to modernize our operations and provide a seamless, transparent, and efficient trade facilitation platform. We are committed to ensuring its success as we move toward nationwide adoption.”
To ensure a smooth transition, the NCS will roll out extensive training and awareness programs for stakeholders and integrate the new system with the financial and regulatory infrastructure, including Authorized Dealer Banks (ADBs). Officials are confident that the B’Odogwu system will become a cornerstone of Nigeria’s efforts to improve trade facilitation, generate revenue, and modernize customs operations—ultimately benefiting businesses and the Nigerian economy as a whole.
