The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is set to expand its modernisation drive with the nationwide rollout of the B’Odogwu platform, following the successful pilot implementation at the Port Terminal Multi-services Limited (PTML) Area Command.
Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi disclosed this during a pre-launch high-level stakeholders’ engagement at the Apapa Area Command on Monday, March 3, 2025. He reaffirmed the service’s commitment to a seamless transition, despite initial challenges encountered during the pilot phase.
“We experienced some hitches during the PTML pilot rollout, but with your cooperation, support, and understanding, we have established implementation benchmarks and a contingency plan to address all challenges,” the CGC stated.
He emphasized the NCS’s resolve to move forward without setbacks, noting that valuable lessons learned from the PTML phase would guide the Apapa and Tincan rollout.
“We are focused on rolling out this platform. Once we integrate PAAR and Form ‘M’, which were not included in the PTML pilot, we can conveniently say that 70-80% of our operations have been captured,” Adeniyi added.
The CGC highlighted the platform’s early successes, revealed that PTML processed over 16,000 declarations, generating over N120 billion within three months.
In her remarks,Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of ICT and Modernisation, DCG Kikelomo Adeola, described the platform as stable, with zero downtime since its introduction. She stressed the importance of ongoing training to prevent system abuse, assuring stakeholders that continuous capacity-building sessions are planned.
Also ,the Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘A’, ACG Charles Orbih, called for collective responsibility to ensure the platform’s success, while Customs Area Controller, Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, assured that officers and stakeholders are well-prepared, following extensive training sessions.
Stakeholders, including Chairman of the National Council for Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Oladimeji Lawal, commended the initiative, described B’Odogwu as faster and more efficient than the previous NICIS platform.
“B’Odogwu is an indigenous platform that will be favourable to us if Customs sustains the current momentum,” Lawal said.
The NCS remained optimistic that the expansion of the B’Odogwu platform will enhance efficiency, revenue generation, and transparency in Nigeria’s trade facilitation system.
