NCS prelaunches B’Odogwu at Lagos ports

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has launched B’Odogwu, a Unified Customs Management System designed to modernise trade operations at key ports in Lagos.

The initiative, which marks a major shift in customs operations, was pre-launched on Monday at the Apapa and Tin Can Island Area Commands, Nigeria busiest seaports, by Bashir Adeniyi, the comptroller-general of Customs.

According to Adeniyi, B’Odogwu represents progress in the agency’s modernisation efforts, aligning Nigeria’s customs processes with global best practices.

The system, developed in partnership with a new service provider, Trade Modernisation Project (TMP), after the expiration of the previous NICIS II contract, aims to streamline trade facilitation and enhance efficiency.

“The service provision was under a contract for a period of time, and that expired…And a new concession agreement was signed between the federal government of Nigeria and a new service provider, TMP,” the comptroller said.

At its core, B’Odogwu represents Nigeria Customs’ most ambitious attempt at reform. Unlike past interventions that barely scratched the surface, this initiative is built on cutting-edge technology and features a unified customs management system to centralise operations, electronic cargo tracking for real-time monitoring, non-intrusive scanners to reduce physical inspections, and risk control centres for better fraud detection.

The CGC explained the name “B’Odogwu,” stating that the “B” represents the Border, symbolizing all customs processes within Nigeria’s borders, while “Odogwu” reflects strength and efficiency.

Adeniyi recalled the rollout of the system’s pilot phase at the Port & Terminal Multi-Services Limited (PTML) in October 2024, with plans for broader implementations nationwide.

Read also:NCS bets on speed and transparency with B’Odogwu

Despite challenges experienced, the service assured it is working to address these challenges.

“When we launch a project of this magnitude, we are not deceiving ourselves, thinking that this is going to be a walk in the park. When we launched it at PTML, a relatively smaller format, we experienced a number of glitches, and they are not surprising. And as we experienced those glitches, we had a very strong and helpful implementation team that was on ground to address some of these challenges,” the Service noted.

He mentioned that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has given the approval for the complete integration of all commercial banks for Form ‘M’ openings, which means that all commercial banks in Nigeria will now be able to process Form ‘M’ transactions, which are mandatory for importers to complete when importing goods into the country.

“This means that all banks, not just the 11 or 12 that worked with us at PTML, will soon be connected to our system, providing a seamless experience for users.”

Kikelomo Adeola, deputy comptroller-general (DCG) of IT and Modernization, assured stakeholders that the initial challenges at PTML have been fully resolved, adding that the system has maintained a 100% uptime record since its implementation.

“We have reached a very critical juncture in our operations, and it necessitates that we needed to move forward with the kind of modernization initiative that we have embarked upon,” he said.

Babatunde Olomu, comptroller of Apapa customs area controller noted that the extensive training provided to officers and stakeholders, which has yielded positive testimonials.

“Training and retraining are embedded in our operational templates. This transition is not just about a new system but about ensuring efficiency, user experience, and long-term sustainability,” he said.

“As the premier port, we are ready for the next level of the customs modernization agenda. We have undergone extensive training and are poised to take on the challenges of modernising our customs procedures,” he said.