The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has launched a new Unified Customs Management System, tagged ‘B’Odogwu’, starting the deployment with a pilot phase in Lagos at Port & Terminal Multi-Services Limited (PTML).
Speaking during the launching of the techno-powered management system at the PTML Command on Wednesday, the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, explained that the innovative platform represented a significant milestone in Services’ modernisation initiative in line with global best practices.
According to him, the new platform is a management system that embodies the NCS’ vision for a paperless customs administration that facilitates seamless trade while maintaining robust security standards,
The CGC said: “It is important to note that B’Odogwu will eventually replace the current Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS II) as the NCS Legacy System. The system has been developed with foresight, acknowledging that the National Single Window will be coming on board soon, and B’Odogwu will be integrated with it when implemented by the Federal Government.”
Adeniyi pointed out that the initiative was fully supported by the legal framework provided in the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, adding that “specifically, sections 28 and 29 of the Act empower the Service to develop, maintain, and employ electronic systems while ensuring transparency and stakeholder consultation.
“As we commence this pilot, I urge all stakeholders to embrace this change with optimism and provide constructive feedback that will help us refine and improve the system, as your input is crucial to the success of this initiative.”
“B’Odogwu will enhance our ability to streamline end-to-end business processes, provide stakeholders with customised integration capabilities, support more efficient and intelligent business decisions, and facilitate ease of doing business”, he assured.
The Comptroller-General thanked all terminal operators, customs officers, licensed customs agents, and the Trade Modernisation Project team for their support and commitment to the successful deployment of the platform.
This is even as he charged officers of the PTML Command to seriously participate in the training associated with the implementation of the platform as they will implement it in other commands.
Adeniyi said: “You will now play the role of pace setters in the Nigeria Customs Service. It is being sown here; we are going to nurture it to fruition here, and we want to assure you that it is going to work.”
The B’Odogwu system’s development is a collaborative initiative between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Trade Modernisation Project team.
