The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has held high-level consultations with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to address concerns over the rollout of its new Unified Customs Management System, popularly known as B’Odogwu.
The meeting, which took place on Monday, 19 August 2025, at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja, was attended by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and the Executive Secretary of the Shippers’ Council, Dr. Akutah Ukeyima.
According to a statement by the National Public Relations Officer of Customs, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, the engagement was convened following complaints from freight forwarders and Licensed Customs Agents about delays and demurrage linked to the new system.
Dr. Ukeyima presented industry feedback, highlighting challenges with system integration, documentation, and port logistics. He stressed the need for urgent measures to minimise financial losses and prevent disruption in the cargo clearance chain.
Responding, CGC Adeniyi reaffirmed that B’Odogwu is a flagship project under the Customs Modernisation Programme, designed to deliver a transparent, technology-driven, and globally competitive clearance process. He assured stakeholders that the initial difficulties would be addressed through phased improvements, structured consultations, and continuous system upgrades.
Both agencies underscored the importance of sustained dialogue and collaboration, pledging to expand consultations with shipping lines, terminal operators, and other key stakeholders to ensure smoother operations.
The Customs Service also noted that while transitional challenges are expected in large-scale reforms, measures are being taken to minimise disruptions and shield operators from excessive costs such as demurrage.
The B’Odogwu platform, developed as an indigenous innovation, aims to centralise Customs processes, integrate stakeholders into a unified digital system, reduce clearance timelines, cut costs, boost compliance, and strengthen government revenue.
The NCS called on stakeholders to continue supporting the reform, provide constructive feedback, and partner with Customs in building a modern trade ecosystem that fosters efficiency, competitiveness, and national development.
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