Streamlining Import Duty Payments
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has taken a significant step to improve trade facilitation and transparency at the ports by onboarding 23 banks onto its innovative B’Odogwu Information and Communication Technology (ICT) platform. This homegrown system is designed to optimize import duty payment processes and enhance overall efficiency. Comptroller Tenny Daniyan, speaking at the Port Terminal and Multi-purpose Services Limited (PTML) Customs Command in Lagos, highlighted the platform’s success in boosting revenue collection despite initial challenges.
Record Revenue Achievements
Serving as the pilot location for the B’Odogwu platform, the PTML Command has reported remarkable outcomes. In November 2024, the command achieved its highest-ever monthly revenue collection of N44.9 billion, demonstrating the platform’s potential to significantly enhance revenue generation for the NCS.
Comptroller Daniyan attributed this milestone to the platform’s efficiency and its capacity to unify stakeholders under a transparent and effective system. He encouraged customs agents who are yet to register on the platform to do so promptly to leverage its benefits.
Addressing Challenges and Transitioning from NICIS II
While acknowledging some initial difficulties with the transition from the NICIS II system, Daniyan emphasized the NCS’s proactive approach in resolving these issues. “We understand that some agents are still unfamiliar with the additional requirements of the new platform compared to NICIS II. However, as challenges arise, we are addressing them. An implementation team has been dispatched to ensure stakeholders experience minimal disruption during this transition,” he stated.
The PTML Command has been disconnected from the NICIS II system for three months, marking a complete shift to the B’Odogwu platform. This full adoption underscores the NCS’s commitment to modernizing its operations and ensuring that stakeholders benefit from improved service delivery.
Plans for Nationwide Rollout
Comptroller Daniyan also revealed plans to expand the B’Odogwu platform to other ports, including Tin Can, once seamless operations are ensured at PTML. This phased implementation strategy aims to maintain operational stability while scaling the platform’s benefits across Nigeria’s ports.
Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
The NCS has onboarded 23 banks to the B’Odogwu platform, ensuring streamlined import duty payments and fostering greater collaboration among stakeholders. Daniyan urged all stakeholders to actively engage with the system, which is designed to enhance transparency, reduce bottlenecks, and facilitate smoother trade processes.
Conclusion
The introduction of the B’Odogwu ICT platform by the Nigeria Customs Service marks a transformative step in the country’s efforts to modernize trade processes. With record-breaking revenue collections and plans for nationwide rollout, the platform is set to significantly improve efficiency and transparency at Nigeria’s ports. As challenges are addressed and more stakeholders adopt the system, the NCS remains committed to delivering a seamless and effective trade facilitation framework.
