The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to implement technology-driven trade reforms aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and boosting revenue generation.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, on Thursday, February 27, 2025, in Abuja.
Adeniyi explained that the partnership would support the full implementation of B’Odogwu, an indigenous trade facilitation platform developed by the NCS to replace the Nigerian Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS) II.
According to him, the new system is designed to modernise Customs operations, improve efficiency in trade documentation, and optimise revenue collection.
“We began piloting the B’Odogwu programme at the Port and Terminal Multi-services Limited (PTML) Area Command in Lagos. Three months into the pilot phase, we integrated key trade documentation processes such as Form M and Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), but we encountered initial challenges, particularly resistance from some Authorised Dealer Banks (ADBs),” Adeniyi said.
He urged the CBN to grant necessary approvals to enable commercial banks to integrate into the system and ensure seamless transactions.
In his remarks, CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso commended the NCS for its innovative approach and assured the apex bank’s support in aligning the banking sector with the new system.
“Our commitment is to provide the necessary support to ensure seamless integration and compliance among commercial banks to enhance trade processes and revenue collection efficiency,” Cardoso stated.
The B’Odogwu platform is expected to be rolled out across all Customs commands nationwide following the successful pilot phase.
