In his efforts to address inefficiencies and frustrations associated with the previous Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS), the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has launched the deployment of the indigenous “B’Odogwu” trade portal at Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, Lagos on Monday.
Recall that the pilot phase of the indigenous trade platform was at the PTML Command last year.
Addressing stakeholders at the event in Apapa Command, CGC Adeniyi noted that this phase of the deployment is just a carefully planned expansion to larger operational areas and not yet a full-scale launch.
According to him, the decision to develop B’Odogwu platform was as a result of the need to address long-standing inefficiencies and frustrations experienced under the previous NICIS.
The Customs boss stated that B’Odogwu is a Nigerian initiative, unique with its name embodying the strength and leadership that the system aims to bring to customs operations.
Explaining what B’Odogwu stands for, the Comptroller General said that ‘B’ stands for ‘Border’ while ‘Odogwu’ means strength and leadership in African, particularly Nigerian parlance.
Acknowledging that transitioning to a new project of this magnitude would come with its teething problems and challenges, he allayed the fears of stakeholders, saying that the Service is on top of such expected challenges with their cooperation.
The CGC maintained that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed all authorized dealer banks to integrate with the platform to ensure seamless financial transactions
With this development, the B’Odogwu portal is fully integrated with commercial banks for the processing of Form ‘M’, a critical requirement for import documentation in Nigeria.
He assured NCS will continue to engage stakeholders to provide regular updates on the system’s operation and address concerns as they arise.
Also speaking, the Deputy Comptroller General, Information Technology and Modernization, DCG Kikelomo Adeola, restated the system’s reliability and efficiency.
She assured stakeholders that lessons from the PTML pilot phase had been applied to strengthen B’Odogwu’s functionality.
According to Adeola, Customs has resolved teething issues following B’Odogwu’s test run at PTML as the pilot command.
The Customs Area Controller, Apapa command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu Ph.D, expressed the readiness of the command to embrace the next level of Customs modernization agenda.
Olomu hinted that extensive training had been conducted for Customs officers and industry stakeholders in preparation for the digital transformation.
He described the Nigeria Customs under CGC Adeniyi as the fastest developing customs administration in Africa.