The new trade management platform, B’Odogwu (Unified Customs Management System), indigenously designed by the Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a huge milestone, as it generated its maiden Pre-Arrival Assessment Report PAAR, few weeks after rollout of the pilot scheme.

The B’Odogwu system, developed as an indigenous replacement for the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS II), is designed to modernise Customs operations, enhance efficiency in trade documentation, and strengthen inter-agency collaboration. During the pilot phase at Port and Terminal Multi-Services Limited PTML, Customs Area Command and beyond, stakeholders, including other government agencies, were actively engaged to ensure a smooth transition.

This milestone comes on the heels of the recent strategic engagement between the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, Olayemi Cardoso, where both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to seamless trade processes, enhanced revenue collection, and improved financial integration.

According to a statement by the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, “The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is pleased to announce the successful issuance of the first Pre-Arrival Assessment Report PAAR under the B’Odogwu (Unified Customs Management System), marking a significant milestone in the Service’s commitment to technology-driven trade reforms.

“The issuance of the first PAAR under B’Odogwu marks the beginning of a nationwide rollout aimed at streamlining customs procedures and enhancing trade facilitation. The Service remains committed to ensuring that all necessary approvals and integrations with financial institutions, including Authorized Dealer Banks (ADBs), are completed to enable seamless foreign exchange transactions and trade-related payments.

“The NCS, under the leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and his management team, appreciates the support of all stakeholders and urges the trading community to embrace the B’Odogwu platform for a more efficient, transparent, and technology-driven Customs processes.”