Customs begin pre-unveiling of trade facilitation tool

The Nigeria Customs Service has commenced the prelaunch of the ‘B’Odogwu’ trade facilitation tool in Apapa and Tincan Island commands to boost trade.

Addressing journalists on Monday in Apapa, Lagos, during a stakeholder engagement, the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, stated that stakeholders support the platform to work efficiently.

B’Odogwu is an indigenous trade facilitation platform developed by the NCS to replace the existing Nigerian Integrated Customs Information System II. The initiative is expected to modernise customs operations, improve efficiency in trade documentation, and enhance revenue collection.

Adeniyi stated that the pre-launch is coming following the success of its pilot phase at the Ports & Terminal Multipurpose Limited Command earlier this year.

The customs boss highlighted that the deployment was a pre-launch phase rather than full implementation, given the scale of the Apapa and Tincan commands.

He explained that with the cooperation of the stakeholders, the challenges with the platform will be addressed.

“With your cooperation, with your support and understanding, we will together address all those challenges. I need to bring your memories back to some time in 2013-2014; we walked this same route together,” he said.

The CGC mentioned that the platform replaces the old system, “with a more robust and indigenous solution taking into consideration the frustrations associated with previous customs management platforms.”

Earlier, the Deputy Comptroller General of Customs in charge of information technology/modernisation, Kikelomo Adeola, assured stakeholders of continuous engagement to refine the system.

She explained to the stakeholders that the NCS had carried out extensive internal testing to ensure a smooth transition.

Adeola reiterated the need for cooperation from all industry players, stating that customs officers and stakeholders must work together to address any emerging issues.

The Zonal Coordinator of Zone A, Assistant Comptroller General Charles Orbih, reiterated the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring the success of the new system.

He described the B’Odogwu deployment as a significant step in modernising customs operations even as he urged stakeholders to embrace the changes.

Obih pointed out that the success of the initiative depends on the willingness of customs officers and industry players to adapt, learn, and grow with the system.

The Customs Area Controller in charge of Apapa Command, Babatunde Olomu, commended the CG for his commitment to modernisation and stakeholder engagement.

Olomu stated that every visit of the CG to Apapa leaves an indelible mark in supporting revenue growth, trade facilitation, and security.

He emphasised that the upgraded modernisation infrastructure is critical to achieving the NCS’ goals, adding that the command has been intentional about training its officers for a smooth transition.

He disclosed that batch-by-batch training sessions have been conducted for newly promoted assistant and deputy controllers to familiarise them with the new system.