Customs Begin Stakeholders’ Training on ‘B’ Odogwu’ Trade Facilitation Platform
…As NCS Moves to Integrate Platform with National Single Window
By Nifemi Coker
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced intensive training for stakeholders on the newly introduced B’ Odogwu trade modernisation platform, a locally developed initiative aimed at revolutionizing cargo clearance and customs operations.
The training, which is taking place at the Tin Can Island and Apapa ports, is designed to familiarize customs brokers, freight forwarders, and other key industry players with the system’s functionalities. This initiative comes as the NCS prepares to integrate B’ Odogwu with the National Single Window, a move that is expected to enhance transparency and efficiency in trade facilitation.
Driving Transparency and Efficiency
Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, (DCG) Kikelomo Adeola, who oversees Customs ICT and modernisation projects, disclosed this during an interactive session with terminal operators and customs brokers at Tin Can Island Port. She reassured stakeholders that the locally developed platform was designed to simplify the clearing process while ensuring full transparency.
“This initiative is about efficiency and transparency. With B’ Odogwu, all stakeholders—including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—can track and monitor goods clearance procedures in real time,” Adeola stated.
She acknowledged initial concerns about the system’s rollout, particularly following its pilot phase at the Ports & Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command in October 2024. However, she affirmed that all teething issues have been addressed, and the platform is now ready for a full-scale deployment.
Training and Capacity Building
To ensure seamless adoption, customs training teams have been stationed at Tin Can Island and Apapa ports, where they will engage stakeholders in hands-on training sessions. The sessions will address critical issues such as smuggling, administrative bottlenecks, and inadequate monitoring mechanisms—challenges that the new platform is expected to mitigate.
“The objective is to ensure that goods are cleared in less than 24 hours once the system is fully deployed,” Adeola noted.
Joining her at the engagement session were Comptroller Frank Onyeka, Customs Area Controller, of Tin Can Island Port Customs Command, and representative of Customs Area Controller, Apapa Customs Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomuthe Apapa Area Command, as well as key officials from Trade Modernisation Project Limited, including Ahmed Ogunsola and Dr. Jummai Umar.
A Model for Africa’s Trade Modernisation
Dr. Jummai Zainab Umar-Ajijola, Managing Director, Trade Modernisation Project Limited, lauded the partnership between the NCS and her organization, emphasizing that B’ Odogwu could set a new benchmark for trade facilitation across Africa.
“Our goal is not just to modernize customs operations in Nigeria but to create a model that will be adopted across Africa and beyond,” she stated.
She also credited the leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and DCG Adeola for their commitment to ensuring the success of the project.
Stakeholders, she added, remain the core drivers of the initiative’s success. “If well harnessed, their engagement and feedback will be instrumental in refining and perfecting the system.”
Looking Ahead
With the gradual expansion of B’ Odogwu across major customs commands, industry players are hopeful that the initiative will significantly reduce delays, curb corruption, and improve Nigeria’s ease of doing business ranking.
As training progresses, all eyes are on the NCS to deliver on its promise of a more efficient, technology-driven customs system that benefits both traders and the Nigerian economy at large.
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