Assures on Automation to enhance Trade Facilitation

Excited and thrilled by results from its indigenous platform designed by its officers and men, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announce the successful commencement of the pilot phase for processing Form M through the B’Odogwu (Unified Customs Management System) in all Commands of the Service-representing another bold step in the Service’s technology-driven reforms to modernise trade procedures and enhance operational efficiency.

Spokesman of the Service, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed that   the launch  followed the Service’s approval to integrate the Form M process into the B’Odogwu Trade Portal, which commenced  across three designated Customs Commands-Port and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML), Tin Can Island Port, and Apapa Area Command.

Maiwada said  the Commands  were selected to drive the pilot phase in a controlled and strategic environment, allowing for close monitoring, stakeholder engagement, and performance assessment.

“During this period, a total of five hundred and forty-four (544) Form M entries were processed. Of these, 283 were successfully registered, 10 were validated, and 26 were stored for further action. Additionally, 41 entries were submitted, 120 were returned for corrections, 11 were queried, 14 had their PAARs locked, and 39 were recommended for approval. These figures reflect the robust testing and iterative learning across all participating commands” Maiwada said

The Customs mouthpiece further disclosed that a total of 37 Pre-Arrival Assessment Reports (PAARs) were generated from the processed Forms M. Out of these, 7 PAARs were registered, 12 had their Single Goods Declarations (SGDs) processed, 2 were fully approved, 8 were recommended for further review, 4 were submitted for processing, and 4 were queried. This outcome confirms the operational capacity of the B’Odogwu system to support end-to-end trade documentation during live implementation.

“The successful implementation of the Form M pilot on the B’Odogwu platform signals the beginning of a nationwide transition that will streamline customs documentation, enhance transparency and promote faster clearance timelines”

“Consequently, to enhance trade facilitation and supply chain security in the ongoing pilot phase, NCS encourages all carriers (shipping lines and airlines) to commence transmission of manifests to the B’dogwu platform while ensuring that all key stakeholders, particularly the financial institutions and traders, are adequately engaged and prepared for full deployment” the National Spokesman of the Service said.

Maiwada reassured that under the visionary leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, the Service will continue to pursue strategic automation initiatives that consolidate its role in trade facilitation, revenue generation and national development.