The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has engaged the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to address challenges in the implementation of the Unified Customs Management System, known as B’Odogwu.
This comes following concerns raised by freight forwarders and licensed customs agents regarding delays and demurrage linked to the rollout of the B’Odogwu system.
The National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Assistant Comptroller, AC Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this in a statement, noting that the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, hosted the Executive Secretary of the Shippers’ Council, Dr. Akutah Ukeyima, at the Service Headquarters in Abuja on Monday.
AC Maiwada noted that the engagement is in line with the Customs‘ modernisation drive and commitment to trade facilitation.
He also revealed that the meeting provided a platform to deliberate on practical solutions aimed at mitigating the inconveniences experienced by operators.
Dr. Ukeyima conveyed industry feedback from freight forwarders and agents, highlighting operational challenges related to system integration, documentation, and port logistics.
He stressed the need for urgent responses to minimise financial losses and prevent disruptions in the cargo clearance chain.
On his part, CGC Adeniyi reiterated that the B’Odogwu platform, being a flagship project under the Customs Modernisation Programme, remains critical to achieving a transparent, technology-driven, and globally competitive clearance process.
He assured that challenges in this initial phase would be systematically resolved through structured stakeholder engagement, phased improvements, and continuous system upgrades.
The engagement highlighted the importance of sustained dialogue and collaboration between the NCS and NSC, emphasising that further consultations with stakeholders, including shipping lines and terminal operators, would continue to align processes and address emerging concerns.
The Service also affirmed that while transitional issues are expected in large-scale reforms, measures are being implemented to limit disruptions and shield operators from excessive costs such as demurrage.
It explained that the B’Odogwu is an indigenous platform aimed at centralising Customs processes, integrating stakeholders into a unified system, cutting clearance timelines, reducing costs, boosting compliance, and strengthening government revenue.
The NCS called on stakeholders to support the implementation process, provide constructive feedback, and partner with Customs in building a modernised trade ecosystem that promotes efficiency, competitiveness, and national development.
