Nigeria Customs Service Announces The Integration of 25 Banks Into Its Recently Launched B’Odogwu Platform
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the integration of 25 banks into its recently launched B’Odogwu platform, an indigenous digital solution designed to address delays and inefficiencies in cargo clearance at the country’s ports.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Tenny Daniyan, Customs Area Controller for the Port Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command, highlighted the platform’s progress since its launch on October 23, 2024. Developed in collaboration with the Trade Modernisation Project, the B’Odogwu system replaces the previous Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS II), marking a significant shift in the nation’s customs operations.
The platform faced early disruptions as Webb Fontaine, operators of NICIS II, disconnected PTML from its network. However, Daniyan described the transition as a necessary challenge to modernise customs processes and boost revenue collection. “The resistance we have faced shows that we are challenging the status quo,” Daniyan remarked, adding that the platform is already fostering greater efficiency.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, had earlier praised the B’Odogwu system for its operational potential during its unveiling in Lagos. He expressed aspirations to export the homegrown solution to other countries, underscoring its role as a milestone in Nigerian trade innovation.
Despite initial resistance, the integration of 25 banks into the platform has been completed, with full operational capacity expected shortly. Daniyan reported promising outcomes, including increased registration and collaboration from key stakeholders. He also noted a sharp rise in revenue generation, with the command collecting over ₦44 billion in October 2024 and surpassing this figure in the first weeks of November.
The new platform has not only diversified shipping channels but also opened lucrative trade opportunities, particularly with China and the East. Its first two transactions brought in ₦5.5 billion in October, highlighting its potential as a game-changer for national revenue streams.
Addressing concerns over delays in cargo clearance, Daniyan reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to maintaining a two-hour turnaround time for roll-on/roll-off cargo. He attributed delays primarily to incomplete or non-compliant declarations by agents, urging them to align with the new system to avoid disruptions.
Calling on stakeholders to fully embrace the B’Odogwu platform, Daniyan assured them of continuous support and improvements, framing the initiative as a bold step towards transforming Nigeria’s customs operations and fostering global trade competitiveness.
