…As NCS Prepares to Activate B’Odogwu in Other Commands
From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) commitment to collaborating with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to enhance trade facilitation, boost revenue generation, and drive economic development for the benefit of all Nigerians.
Adeniyi made this known during a recent courtesy visit to the Governor of the Central Bank, Olayemi Cardoso, in Abuja.
According to him, the partnership is geared towards the full implementation of the B’Odogwu system—an indigenous trade facilitation platform developed by the NCS to replace the existing Nigerian Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS) II.
“The initiative is expected to modernize Customs operations, improve efficiency in trade documentation, and enhance revenue collection,” Adeniyi stated.
Speaking on the project, Adeniyi emphasized the importance of seamless integration between Customs and financial institutions, particularly in automating foreign exchange transactions and trade-related payments.
He explained that the B’Odogwu system was introduced following the expiration of the contract with the previous service provider, which had been extended multiple times before the government entered a new concession agreement in 2023.
“We began piloting the B’Odogwu programme at the Port and Terminal Multi-services Limited (PTML) Area Command in Lagos and engaged all stakeholders, including the Central Bank.
Three months into the pilot phase, we integrated key trade documentation processes such as Form M and the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) but encountered initial challenges, particularly resistance from some of the Authorized Dealer Banks (ADBs),” Adeniyi noted.
He urged the Central Bank to grant the necessary approvals for banks to integrate into the system, allowing for seamless transactions.
Adeniyi also highlighted challenges in the current manual process of communicating prevailing exchange rates from the CBN to Customs for duty collection.
He expressed appreciation for the CBN’s support and called for continued collaboration to ensure a smooth nationwide rollout of the B’Odogwu system.
In response, CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso commended the Customs Service for its innovative approach and pledged the apex bank’s support in ensuring the initiative’s success.
“I am pleased to see a new direction in Customs operations. Collaboration is key, and we will continue to work closely to ensure seamless integration. Our commitment is to provide the necessary support so that the banking sector aligns with this transition,” Cardoso said.
He assured that the Central Bank would work towards ensuring compliance among commercial banks with directives aimed at improving trade processes and enhancing revenue collection efficiency.
The partnership between the NCS and the CBN signals a major step toward modernizing Nigeria’s trade infrastructure, ensuring a more transparent and efficient customs process that aligns with global best practices.