David
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) commitment to a transparent, efficient, and inclusive rollout of the B’Odogwu clearance platform. This assurance was made during a town hall meeting in Lagos on July 21, 2025, themed “Enhancing Trade Compliance and System Optimisation Through Stakeholder Engagement.”
The CGC encouraged stakeholders to share their concerns and experiences with the B’Odogwu platform, acknowledging that while there have been reports of challenges, the feedback hasn’t been entirely negative. He emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement in the implementation process.
Adeniyi assured stakeholders that the NCS is committed to ongoing improvements based on their feedback. The service is working to address the challenges and ensure a seamless transition to the new platform.
The CGC clarified that the reintroduced 4% Free on Board (FOB) levy will replace existing levies, including the 1% Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS) fee and the 7% cost of collection charge, without imposing additional burdens on importers.
The platform has improved tracking capabilities, allowing users to monitor shipment statuses and access real-time information more effectively. This has contributed to reduced clearance times and improved transparency in the customs process.
The system has reduced clearance times by up to 24 hours, marking a significant efficiency gain for importers and exporters. This improvement is expected to boost trade and commerce in the country.
The platform provides stakeholders with customized integration capabilities, supporting more efficient and intelligent business decisions. This has enhanced the overall transparency and accountability of the customs process.
NCS plans to introduce local Nigerian languages into the B’Odogwu trade platform to enhance user experience. This move is expected to make the platform more accessible to a wider range of users.
NCS will launch a series of virtual workshops to provide hands-on guidance to importers, brokers, and agents on trade documentation, payment integration, and system troubleshooting. This initiative aims to ensure that stakeholders are well-equipped to navigate the new platform.
The town hall meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to share their concerns and suggestions on the B’Odogwu platform. The CGC emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement in the implementation process.
NCS is committed to ensuring a seamless transition to the B’Odogwu clearance platform. The service is working to address the challenges and ensure that the platform meets the needs of all stakeholders.
The implementation of the B’Odogwu platform is expected to have a significant impact on the industry. The platform’s improved tracking capabilities and reduced clearance times will boost trade and commerce in the country.
The CGC’s assurance on the seamless transition to the B’Odogwu clearance platform is a welcome development. The NCS’s commitment to ongoing improvements and stakeholder engagement will ensure that the platform meets the needs of all stakeholders.
The future of the B’Odogwu platform looks promising, with the NCS committed to ensuring its success. The introduction of local Nigerian languages and virtual workshops will enhance the user experience and ensure that stakeholders are well-equipped to navigate the platform.