Nigeria Customs Attributes Import Clearance Delays to New Unified System Implementation
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has shed light on the reason behind the recent import clearance delays, attributing it to the implementation of its Unified Customs Management System, known as B’Odogwu. This explanation comes amid growing concerns and outrage from freight forwarders and agents who have been experiencing significant delays and related issues.
Following a meeting between the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, and the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Akutah Ukeyima, the NCS disclosed that the B’Odogwu system is an indigenous platform designed to centralize Customs processes and integrate stakeholders into a unified system. The goal of the system is to reduce clearance timelines, decrease costs, boost compliance, and strengthen government revenue.
However, the implementation of the new system has not been without its challenges. Ukeyima conveyed industry feedback from freight forwarders and agents, highlighting operational difficulties related to system integration, documentation, and port logistics. He emphasized the need for urgent responses to mitigate financial losses and prevent disruptions in the cargo clearance chain.
In response, Adeniyi assured stakeholders that the challenges experienced during the initial phase of the B’Odogwu rollout would be systematically addressed through structured stakeholder engagement, phased improvements, and continuous system upgrades. The NCS emphasized that while transitional issues are expected in large-scale reforms, measures are being implemented to limit disruptions and shield operators from excessive costs, such as demurrage.
The NCS has called on stakeholders to support the implementation process, provide constructive feedback, and partner with Customs in building a modernized trade ecosystem that promotes efficiency, competitiveness, and national development. As Nigeria continues to navigate the complexities of international trade, the successful implementation of the B’Odogwu system is expected to have a positive impact on the country’s economy and trade relationships.
In the meantime, freight forwarders, agents, and other stakeholders are advised to be patient and cooperative as the NCS works to resolve the current challenges and ensure a seamless import clearance process. The Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to finding solutions that benefit all parties involved and promote the growth and development of Nigeria’s trade sector.
