NCS Engages Stakeholders on B’Odogwu Clearance, Guarantees Continued Seamless operation
As Stakeholders Laud New Platform Upgrade
ZAINAB JUNAID
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday, 21 July 2025 hosted a town hall with relevant stakeholders in the industry at Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, on B’Odogwu Clearance to brainstorm on potential glitches, proffer solution for smooth transition from Nigeria Customs Information System (NICIS)11 to the new platform and also bolster seamless operations.
Led by the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, the meeting brought together Senior Customs Officers, technical team of the project, and several stakeholders including representatives from importers and exporters, Trade Modernisation Project Limited (TMPL), Air Freighters Operators, Shipping Line, other Security agencies, Financial Institutions, Regulators among others.
Themed: “Enhancing Trade Compliance and System Optimisation through Stakeholders Engagement”, the forum provided platform for honest dialogue through robust panel sessions, and Questions and answers between the stakeholders and the NCS.
The CGC described the Unified Customs Management System, (UCMS) B’Odogwu, as a full digital platform designed and introduced in October 2024 to streamline customs operations, eliminate bottlenecks, and promote transparency in Nigeria’s import and export systems.
He commended the large turnout of stakeholders despite the short notice, noting that the essence of the town hall is to brainstorm and move forward on the process.
“It is to give our stakeholders the opportunity to give feedback on what we do and ensure we foster partnership that works, that provides the goals I am trying to share with everyone,” he said. “The WCO always institute a monitoring and evaluation program of every good that is available for us to be able to assess the facts of it, so that we are able to strengthen the areas where things are working well and to address areas where we need to make adjustments. This is why we are organising this forum. We would emphasise on direct feedback, direct contributions, comments, complaints, things coming from our users”.
The CGC also expressed gratitude for the partnership, support and opportunity provided by the stakeholders, enabling the agency to implement the innovative technology, and modernise the country’s customs system.
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Speaking on the 4% Free On Board fee reintroduced, the Chairman, World Customs Organisation Council, explained that the levy is a law passed by the National Assembly and signed into Act by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He said there will be no extra charge after 4% FOB. “Once 4% FOB is passed, the 1% Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS) and 7% Cost of Collection ceases automatically.
“What the law says is that it is only 4% FOB that everything in our programs, organization, process, administration will be funded. And of course, I believe that there are some misunderstandings amongst our stakeholders thinking they will still be required to pay 1% CISS. But the Act specifically says that 1% CISS will cease immediately the 4% FOB is passed,” he added.
The Deputy Comptroller in Charge of Trade Facilitation, Kikelomo Adeola, underscored the importance of the engagement, noting it is a strategic platform to engage the Agency’s valued partners in trade on the B’Odogwu Clearance System. “Since its phased deployment, B’Odogwu has demonstrated tremendous potential in enhancing clearance efficiency, improving cargo visibility, and boosting revenue generation. Yet, like every major reform, its success depends on how well we carry along the people it was built for, that is the stakeholders.
“This engagement will clarify the end-to-end roles of importers and other stakeholders in the B’Odogwu ecosystem; Showcase the platform’s capabilities through live demonstrations; Provide space for honest dialogue through panel sessions and Questions &Answers; Receive feedback from Air Freighters, Terminal Operators, Shipping lines; importers across various modes (the seaport, airport, and land borders); regulators, financial institutions, and the technical team behind the `platform; And most importantly, co-create the path forward with all stakeholders.
Cross Section of Stakeholders at the Town Hall in Lagos.
“Let me also share that this is not a one-off. NCS plan to launch a series of post-Town Hall virtual workshops to offer hands-on support to importers, brokers, and agents. From trade documentation to risk profiling, payment integration to system troubleshooting. Our goal is to deepen capacity and ensure that everyone can benefit fully from this digital leap,” she emphasised.
Alhaji Saleh Ahmadu of TMPL
In his remarks, Chairman, Trade Modernisation Project Limited, TMPL, Alhaji Saleh Ahmadu noted that continuous support of stakeholders in the trade ecosystem is essential for the successful implementation of the homegrown project.
His words, “As we work in partnership with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), for continuous interaction and dialogue with stakeholders for the effective implementation of the NCS modernization project, the continuous support of stakeholders in the trade ecosystem is essential for the successful implementation of this homegrown, home-owned, home-managed and home-beneficial project”.
The forum featured three Panel sessions where stakeholders identified and brainstormed solutions to teething challenges.
Some of the expert Panelists included: Tiku Alu, CBN Head Import and Trade Relations; Nabil Mustapha, Software Lead TMPL; AC Christopher Fanyam, B’Odogwu Implementation Lead; Head SONCAP Lagos, Engr. Onyeji Francis and the deliberation was moderated by the National Public Relations Officer, AC Abdullahi Maiwada.
Customs Area Controller CAC Babatunde Olomu
Speaking, the Customs Area Controller, (CAC) Babatunde Olomu, fsi, PhD highlighted wayforward for the identified challenges in the course of the session.
He stressed that the engagement was a valuable session that centered on issue that is critical to trade and essential to the growth of the nation.
In his words, “We’ve had a very engaging session in the last four to five hours on the subject matter that is very critical to trade. Not just to trade, but also very essential to the growth of our nation, which is customs modernization. As citizens and stakeholders in the Nigerian project, B’Odogwu represents our national identity and our capacity to be innovative.
“It was identified that we must be very deliberate with sensitisation of our key stakeholders to enable us bridge the communication gaps that have been identified in the course of the session; it was also identified that it’s very necessary to strengthen the authentication as well as registration process on all documentations that would come via the platform, to ensure that criminals and mischief makers, will not take advantage of available vacuum to defend their nest; it’s very key to increase manpower employed for the implementation team.
“it’s been identified that availability of assets, as well as ensuring all stakeholders have access to the system, will further strengthen the platform; to enhance interoperability between the systems and our stakeholders, transparency, synergy, and intelligence sharing has been identified to be very critical; Improving the response rates of our help desks has also been identified as part of the way forward to ensuring a seamless operation.
“It’s very necessary to update the frequently asked questions on the platform; Increasing stakeholder value in the process is also very key,” he highlighted.
In his remarks, the Zonal Coordinator Zone ’A’ Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Charles Orbih appreciated stakeholders for keying into the B’odogwu platform, urging them to always send feedback to Customs.
The high point of the meeting was its robust interactive nature which pave way for experiences to be shared and likely solutions to be identified.
Stakeholders further lauded the new platform amidst the identified glitches.
The President, Bonded Terminal Operations, Mr Jerald Mbamara, said that Bodogwu operation was flexible as stakeholders could access it with their phones as well as iPad.
Mbamara said tracking of cargoes had enhanced with Bodogwu than NICIS 11, which helped in reducing time and cost of doing business.
Similarly, a freight forwarder, Mr Olubiyi Ibrahim, said B’odogwu had created opportunity to see existing rotation number through which had enhanced transparency of cargo movement.
A Terminal Operator, Operations Manager of Lagos Free Trade Zone, Mrs Olodunni Kareem, said the platform that should have had indigenous languages to enable everyone key into it.
Also, Mrs Princess Okezie, a Wema Bank Staff said the B’odogwu platform was very fast saying that before now form M was very difficult for customer to access and that B’odogwu had solve the challenges.
Okezie also lauded the commitment of all officers involved, adding the platform had enhanced accountability of both the customs and the stakeholders. “Integrity of the system had been enhanced with the introduction of B’Odogwu compared to other platforms”.