By Tunde Ojudun
At a landmark seminar in Lagos, maritime stakeholders hailed the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its transformative strides in trade facilitation and digital innovation through the launch of the B’Odogwu digital platform.
Dr. Segun Musa, CEO of Widescope Logistics Ltd and Chief Consultant, Global Transport Policy, speaking through Dr. Mark Onuchi, praised Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for championing a unified customs management system that streamlines cargo clearance and boosts revenue. He described B’Odogwu as a globally aligned upgrade of the former NICIS II, designed to automate compliance, reduce human interference, and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness across Africa.
The seminar, themed “The Impact of the B’Odogwu Digital Platform on Trade Facilitation and Women’s Contributions to the Maritime Sector: Challenges in the New Marine and Blue Economy—How Far, How Well?”, was organized by Hynek Media in partnership with the Media Anti-Corruption Initiatives.
Musa noted that early results from the platform are encouraging, emphasizing its role in reducing clearance times and improving efficiency.
The seminar also featured contributions from other participants, including Mrs. Rollens Macfoy, President of Women In Maritime – Africa (WIMA-Africa), who commended the seminar organizers for shedding light on the transformative impact of the B’Odogwu platform in enhancing automation, reducing corruption, and boosting government revenue in the maritime sector through streamlined processes.
Mrs Macfoy highlighted the importance of women’s involvement in shaping the future of trade and the blue economy.
She challenged industry leaders to give women equal opportunities to contribute, asserting that, “If you can be proud of your daughter being a port manager or captain, then you should be proud of your wife or sister doing the same”.
Dr. Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam, founder of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), served as the Father of the Day and urged women to participate in Nigeria’s digital economy, underscoring opportunities for growth and profitability through ICT skills and streamlined digital trade.
He also called for greater female involvement in the maritime sector to support national development and integration.
Representative of of the CEO of Bomarah Group Hajia Bola Muse, a respected maritime entrepreneur, Mr. Femi King commended the ongoing push to digitalize Nigeria’s port operations, framing it as a mechanism to curb corruption and improve efficiency.
She stated that the B’Odogwu platform and similar reforms would enhance data management and transparency among freight-forwarding firms, and he encouraged operators to embrace technology through training and staff development. “In Nigeria, we are gradually moving into full digitalisation. Every agency must key in. Those who fail to adapt will struggle. The system is improving; all we need is to get organised and ensure compliance,” Muse asserted.
She also lauded the resilience and contributions of women in the maritime industry, noting that many have proven capable and innovative in driving operational progress.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Coordinator,
Hynek Media and Anti-Corruption Initiatives Seminar, Mr Lod Onyeji, described the seminar as the maiden edition of a collaborative effort to promote transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in Nigeria.