Customs, Shippers’ Council Strengthen Collaboration on B’Odogwu Implementation

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has taken a significant step toward advancing trade facilitation reforms by engaging the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) on the implementation of its Business Oriented Digital Operations for Goods Winning (B’Odogwu) initiative. The partnership is expected to strengthen digital transformation in Nigeria’s maritime and border operations while addressing long-standing challenges of inefficiency, delays, and high costs in cargo clearance.

B’Odogwu, introduced by the Customs Service, is designed as an end-to-end technology-driven solution that will overhaul existing processes and reduce human interference in port operations. The platform seeks to digitize cargo clearance, automate revenue collection, improve transparency, and provide real-time visibility for traders, regulators, and service providers.

During a working visit to the headquarters of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in Lagos, senior Customs officials led by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of ICT, modernization, and operations highlighted the importance of inter-agency cooperation in ensuring the success of the project. According to them, the Shippers’ Council, as the port economic regulator, is a critical partner in aligning trade stakeholders and ensuring compliance.

“B’Odogwu is not just a Customs project; it is a national reform that will redefine the way we conduct trade in Nigeria. We are engaging the Shippers’ Council to guarantee that implementation reflects the needs of port users and ensures that the platform delivers on its promise of transparency and efficiency,” the Customs chief stated.

The Customs Service explained that the initiative is expected to tackle persistent complaints from importers and exporters about cumbersome procedures, multiple checks, and undue costs associated with cargo processing. Officials noted that the system will drastically reduce revenue leakages, minimize corruption, and build greater trust between government agencies and the trading community.

On his part, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barrister Pius Ukeyima Akutah, commended the Customs Service for embarking on the digital reform. He described B’Odogwu as a bold innovation that aligns with global best practices in trade facilitation and positions Nigeria to compete better on the international stage.

“The Shippers’ Council welcomes this initiative because it is in line with our mandate to protect the interest of shippers and ensure a more transparent, cost-effective business environment. By collaborating with Customs, we will ensure that the concerns of cargo owners are addressed, and the benefits of digitalization are maximized,” Akutah said.

He assured the delegation that the council would work closely with Customs to sensitize the business community on the features and benefits of B’Odogwu. According to him, stakeholder buy-in is essential to avoid resistance, miscommunication, or sabotage of the system.

Maritime experts have emphasized that for decades, inefficiencies at Nigeria’s seaports and borders have been a major obstacle to economic growth. The country consistently ranks low on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business index, particularly in the “trading across borders” category. The introduction of B’Odogwu is therefore being seen as an opportunity to address these systemic bottlenecks.

Stakeholders believe that once fully operational, the platform will enable traders to file documents electronically, track shipments in real time, and complete payments seamlessly without physical contact. This, they argue, will help reduce delays, decongest ports, and lower logistics costs, which have been identified as a major factor driving inflation in Nigeria.

The engagement between Customs and the Shippers’ Council also signals a shift toward greater inter-agency collaboration. Industry observers point out that previous reform efforts in the maritime sector often failed due to poor coordination among government agencies. By working together, both agencies aim to provide a united front that inspires confidence among operators and investors.

Customs officials stressed that transparency and accountability are at the heart of the B’Odogwu initiative. They explained that the digital platform will create a verifiable record of transactions, making it easier to audit processes and resolve disputes. This will not only enhance revenue collection for the Federal Government but also reduce opportunities for manipulation and fraud.

As part of the engagement, both agencies agreed to establish a joint technical working group that will oversee the implementation process, identify operational challenges, and recommend timely solutions. The working group will also serve as a feedback channel for port users to ensure that the system remains responsive to evolving needs.

For importers and exporters, the success of the project could mean significant savings in time and cost. Industry associations have long complained that Nigerian ports are among the most expensive in the region due to unofficial charges, multiple levies, and inefficiencies. Analysts say that if B’Odogwu delivers on its promises, it could transform the country’s ports into hubs of competitiveness and attract greater volumes of cargo.

However, stakeholders also caution that the initiative must be backed by strong political will, continuous training of personnel, and consistent stakeholder engagement. Without these, they warn, the system could face the same fate as earlier reforms that struggled to gain traction.

At the close of the meeting, both the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining collaboration. They maintained that the initiative is not just about digitalization but about building a more transparent, competitive, and sustainable maritime industry that contributes meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic development.

In the long run, maritime analysts argue, the success of B’Odogwu could set a precedent for other sectors of the economy, showing how technology and inter-agency collaboration can overcome entrenched inefficiencies. For now, the partnership between Customs and the Shippers’ Council is seen as a vital step toward realizing the full potential of Nigeria’s trade sector.