Customs Upgrade Boosts Trade with Tech Revolution (International Edition)

The Nigeria Customs Service has moved toward modernizing the nation’s trade facilitation system by issuing its inaugural Pre-Arrival Assessment Report through the recently implemented B'ODogwu system.

This milestone marks the beginning of a nationwide rollout of the B’Odogwu (Unified Customs Management System), a state-of-the-art technology designed to streamline Customs operations, enhance trade documentation efficiency, and foster greater inter-agency collaboration.

The Assistant Comptroller of Customs and National Public Relations Officer, Abdullah Maiwada, disclosed this in a statement signed on Friday for the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi.

The B'Odogwu system aims to supersede the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS II) and will be crucial in reshaping the management of trade processes in Nigeria.

The NCS has indicated that the successful launch of the initial PAAR under B’Odogwu marks the beginning of a more open, effective, and smooth process for enhancing trade facilitation.

The announcement comes after the recent strategic meeting between the Comptroller-General of NCS, Adeniyi, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso.

Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to improving trade processes, enhancing revenue collection, and boosting financial integration in Nigeria’s import and export systems.

The B'Odogwu system aims to streamline the intricate procedures of custom processing through automation and integration of multiple tasks, thereby markedly reducing the time required for handling trade-associated paperwork. This project was put into practice as part of a trial run at PTML Customs Area Command within the Port and Terminal Multi-Services Limited facility, garnering favorable responses from all participating entities such as governmental organizations focused on enhancing trading processes.

The NCS stated in the announcement that introducing the B'Odohwu system would offer a more streamlined and tech-powered Customs procedure for both traders and the broader public.

The statement indicated, "This accomplishment represents a major step forward in our Service’s dedication to tech-powered trade reforms. We continue to be committed to making sure that all required approvals and integrations with financial entities, such as Authorized Dealer Banks (ADBs), are carried out to facilitate smooth foreign exchange operations and payment processes related to international trade."

Bashir Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of Customs, showed enthusiasm regarding the system's capabilities.

He said, “The B’Odogwu system is designed to modernize our operations and provide a seamless, transparent, and efficient trade facilitation platform. This technology will bring about a more streamlined process for the entire trading community, and we are committed to ensuring its success as we move toward nationwide adoption.”

The NCS highlighted that the service is dedicated to assisting stakeholders and guaranteeing that the system is seamlessly integrated with the required financial and regulatory frameworks essential for smooth global commerce. During the implementation phase, both governmental bodies and the business community will be motivated to adopt this new system, aiming to enhance operational effectiveness and minimize trade obstructions.

He further emphasized the significance of the system. "We are enthusiastic about the potential of the B'Odorgu system to improve Nigeria's trade facilitation procedures. This initiative signals the start of a new era in Nigeria's Customs activities, focusing on technological advancement, openness, and cooperation."

The NCS further indicated that the implementation would proceed alongside extra training and awareness initiatives for all parties involved, guaranteeing that these groups are adequately prepared to fully benefit from the new system.

The B’Odogwu system is set to become a cornerstone of Nigeria’s drive for improved trade facilitation, revenue generation, and the overall modernization of Customs operations. The success of this initiative will likely serve as a model for other regions seeking to enhance their trade systems through technology and innovation.

As the system is rolled out across the country, the Nigeria Customs Service is confident that B’Odogwu will lead to a more streamlined, transparent, and efficient trade process, which will ultimately benefit both businesses and the Nigerian economy as a whole.

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