Customs resolves 90% of B’Odogwu glitches, generates N230bn revenue at PTML 

The Ports and Terminal Multi-services Limited (PTML) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service said it has successfully resolved over 90 percent of the technical challenges being experienced with the new Unified Customs Management System also known as B’ Odogwu.

Controller of Command, Comptroller Teni Daniyan, who disclosed this during a courtesy visit by members of the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria disclosed that the trade platform has facilitated N230billion revenue at the Command since its commencement in October 2024.

Daniyan acknowledged that while the trade platform was not without challenges, the milestone achieved in addressing the technical glitches will ensure seamless deployment and operationalization of the platform across other commands nationwide.

He said, “PTML being the pilot command of the platform, I will say that over 90 percent of the challenges that will be envisaged in other areas are been resolved here. So going to Tin Can and Apapa commands, there won’t be any technical issue. Yes, they may have stakeholder issues. Either those that refuse to come into the platform or those are not bringing good declarations. This is because B’Odogwu is a more robust and more secure platform with some AI features that can help you to do a proper classification of things. and has some features that is not in NICIS. ”

Comptroller Daniyan commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi for having the confidence to go ahead with the initiative, which he said has today become the pride of Nigeria and Nigerians.

Daniyan said “B’Odogwu is working and its working for us, we have realised over N230 billion so far on the platform. If its not working with you, it means you are not doing the right thing.

“Now, we can only say, “Yes, this is our baby”.It’s our baby because we don’t need a third party to do anything for us. It is fully Nigerian, unlike the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS) when you have issues you will have to translate and then send to a foreign country before the problem can be solved.”

“All this could not have happened without the CGC. We must acknowledge that he is a man of vision. He is a man that wants to leave his footprints in the sands of time. He’s a man that has a goal.

“He sees customs not of today, but of the future. And he feels that, how do we save the Nigerian government huge amount of money that is going to foreigners. That’s how they started this”

He said that the platform would save the Federal Government billions of naira that would have been capital flight on NICIS.

“This means that Customs is not only helping Nigeria to realise money, but also save money,” he said.

Daniyan said the command is working towards reducing cargo clearance time for compliant traders from two hours to one hour.

He enjoined agents and importers to be compliant and make honest declarations to be able to enjoy seamless cargo clearance, saying: “If you are a compliant trader you don’t have issues, we give you one hour, not even two hours, to get your consignment. That is what we are working towards. But we can only achieve one-hour cargo clearance depending on who is making the declaration.

“If your ship has landed and you are doing PAAR, how can you enjoy a 24-hour cargo clearance? You cannot. It has to be pre-arrival assessment, which means before the ship even got to Nigerian waters, you have to have done your assessment,” he explained.

The Comptroller reiterated the NCS’s commitment to comprehensive automation across all its processes just as he highlighted ongoing initiatives such as transire automation and cargo tracking, in addition to existing programs like fast track, Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), and advanced ruling.

“The CGC is really out to ensure that the Nigeria Customs is at par with other international countries. International best practice is what we try to achieve here in relation to the WCO and WTO agreements, and we cannot be left out,” Daniyan stated.

This year, he said the command has generated N147.3 billion revenue, an index that showed that B’Odugwu is working well.

Speaking earlier, the president of SCAN, Moses Ebosele commended the CAC for his open door policy and thanked him for the cordial relationship between PTML Customs Command and journalists.

Ebosele also appreciated Daniyan’s giant stride especially in the area of revenue generation and capacity building for stakeholders.

Meanwhile, in a related development, the command last week organised it’s second phase sensitization on Form M and Pre Arrival Assessment Report ( PAAR) generation on B’Odogwu portal
for clearing agents and stakeholders.

Daniyan, at the session, urged the agents to support the Customs automation process and also be free to seek support whenever they are having challenges.

“We promised that whenever issues arise or stakeholders request further enlightenment, we will provide it. Today’s exercise is a continuation of the training we initiated,” the CAC stated.