L-R: Compt Babatunde Olomu, DCG Kikelomo Adeola Comptroller-General of Customs, Wale Adeniyi ACG Charles Orbih and Compt Frank Onyeka at a stakeholder meeting on B'Odogwu Platfrom at Apapa Command on Monday, March 3, 2025
The Comptroller General of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi has given further insights on why the Service has decided to bring both Apapa and Tincan Island Ports on board B’Odogwu Platfrom.
Speaking on Monday at Apapa Customs Command on Monday during the Pre-Lunch stakeholders meeting, he noted that whereas the progress recorded with the platform at PTML has been encouraging with manageable glitches, “A project of this magnitude would not be a walk in the park. We had some challenges during the pilot phase at PTML, we have addressed some and carried over some. We are not going to wait until all the challenges are solved, but with your cooperation, we would resolve all.”
He announced that “At PTML, we have integrated CBN. The CBN boss at a meeting with us recently, has instructed all authorized dealer banks to queue into B’Odogwu, and they would all be opening Form M for you,” effective from now.
While assuring that all necessary communication channels with the stakeholders for information on B’Odogwu will be opened going forward, the CGC assured stakeholders of regular meetings pending when the administration of B’odogwu would become very seamless at every Command across Nigeria.
In his presentation, the Deputy Comptroller-General (DCG) of IT and Modernization, Kikelomo Adeola, noted that “We have resolved teething issues following B’Odogwu’s test run at PTML as the pilot command. We have equally carried out training of agents, terminal operators, among others on why the effective usage of the platform is crucial.
“If one does not know how to use it, there would be abuse.” DCG Adeola stated.
While asserting “We have not had one minute of downtime of B’Odogwu since we kickstarted at PTML,” Adeola also confirmed that challenges with authorized dealer banks had been overcomed, bill of lading searches were now operational, and both traders and officers could track job assignments on the B’Odogwu Platform.
She was quick to inform stakeholders that an active help desk is also in place.
Commenting on the operations of the Platform, Zonal Coordinator Zone A, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Charles Orbih, averred that B’Odogwu remains a digital tool capable of positively positioning Nigeria at the forefront of global customs operations.
To him, “It would position Nigeria at the forefront of Customs Operation worldwide, a new era of efficiency and transparency.”
In his welcome address, the Apapa Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, noted that “As the premier port, we are ready for the next level of the customs modernization agenda,” agreeing that “Nigeria Customs under Adeniyi is the fastest developing customs administration in Africa.”
In his response, Comptroller Frank Onyeka of TCIP said his command will continue to explain to stakeholders every needed issue bordering on the smooth takeoff of the B’Odogwu platform because it has come not only to stay but to positively fine-tune processes in the Nigerian Customs Service.
