– eyes less than 48- hour cargo clearance time at port.
Funso OLOJO
As the Customs’ trade modernisation platform, B’ Odogwu, is gradually gaining momentum among the customs brokers and other stakeholders, the Nigeria customs service said it was making preparation to integrate the indigenous platform with the National Single window.
This is aimed at making the customs operations transparent where all the stakeholders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would be able to clearly see and monitor goods clearance procedures at the Ports.
The Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs(DCG) Kikelomo Adeola, Head of Customs Information Communications(ICT) and modernisation project make this known while interacting with terminal operators at Apapa customs command.
DCG Adeola, who had so far held series of discussions with freight forwarders, shipping companies and terminal operators to enlighten them on the launch of B’ Odogwu in Apapa and Tin Can Island commands of the customs, said integrating the indigenous platform with National Single Window is what the customs desires and ready to do because everyone will see what the customs and other agencies are doing.
” Even the president will be looking at it” she declared.
She said the users of this platform have nothing to worry about as the new concept, which was wholly conceptualized, developed and deployed locally, is meant to simplify clearing process in the most transparent manner.
DCG Adeola, who was joined in the interactive session by the Area Controller of the Tin Can Island ports, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, the representative of Area Controller of Apapa customs command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, Ahmed Ogunsola and Dr Jummai Umar of Trade Modernisation Project Limited, assured the apprehensive stakeholders that Customs training team will be attached to the two commands where they will engage stakeholders in an intensive training before the new concept is deployed.
According to DCG Adeola, the modernisation indigenous platform is a bold and transformational concept aimed at addressing inefficiencies, improving transparency, and positioning Nigeria as a competitive player in global trade.
She stated that the initiative is built on cutting-edge technology designed to streamline processes and ensure smoother operations across ports and terminals.
“This project is not just about deploying technology; it’s about creating a robust system that enhances trade facilitation and revenue generation.
“We are addressing critical issues such as smuggling, administrative bottlenecks, and inadequate monitoring mechanisms,” DCG Adeola noted.
She noted that the new concept, when it was first introduced at the PTML command in October, 2024, has gone through some transformational stages with some teething problems which the service has resolved.
Adeola believed that before the automated platform is deployed at the Tin Can and Apapa customs commands, all the identified gaps at the pilot stage would have been closed.
She said the objective of the service is to ensure that goods are cleared in less than 24 hours by the time the indigenous platform is fully deployed.
However, the Customs chief allayed the fears of some stakeholders who expressed worries over possible technical glitch or downtime.
Adeola disclosed that there was no single incident of downtime since October,2024 when the pilot scheme of the platform was launched at the PTML.
She further declared that the training programmes for the stakeholders have commenced and the customs would ensure that about 90 percent of stakeholders are well grounded in its operations before it takes off at both the Tin Can and Apapa customs commands.
Adeola further assured the inquisitive stakeholders that 20 banks have so far been linked with B’ Odogwu platform, saying more are going to be added as times goes on.
She however warned them not to pay to the non- compliant banks so their goods would not be trapped.
She also asked them to make diligent inquiry about the banks which are linked with the indigenous platform to avoid unpleasant situation.
Dr. Jummai Zainab Umar-Ajijola, Managing Director of the Trade Modernization Project Limited, credited the success of the modernization initiative to strong coordination between the NCS and its partners.
“The partnership between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Trade Modernization Project Limited has been instrumental in driving this initiative forward.
She praised the efforts, commitment and resilience Comptroller-General of Customs , Adewale Adeniyi and DCG Adeola for the modest success the new concept has so far recorded.
Dr Ajijola emphasized that B’Odogwu; the newly introduced unified customs system, represents “strength and resilience” and is a homegrown solution that positions Nigeria as a leader in trade facilitation.
“Our goal is not just to modernize customs operations in Nigeria but to create a model that will be adopted across Africa and beyond,” she added
She disclosed that stakeholders are the core components of the project which, if well harnessed, would drive the success of the concept.
” That is why our management at the Trade Modernisation Project Limited emphasized the importance of stakeholders in this new concept and we believe that if we can achieve 80 per
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