The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has opened high-level consultations with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to address operational hitches arising from the rollout of its flagship trade automation platform, the Unified Customs Management System, popularly known as B’Odogwu.

This comes after freight forwarders and Licensed Customs Agents raised concerns over delays, demurrage, and disruptions linked to the new platform. In response, Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, met with the Executive Secretary of NSC Dr. Pius Akutah, yesterday, at the Service’s headquarters in Abuja.

The meeting, according to a statement by Customs’ National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, provided what officials described as a crucial platform for deliberating on practical solutions to ease the inconveniences being experienced by operators.

“The Executive Secretary of the Shippers’ Council conveyed industry feedback from freight forwarders and agents, noting operational challenges related to system integration, documentation, and port logistics. He stressed the need for urgent responses to minimise financial losses and prevent disruptions in the cargo clearance chain,” the statement said.

Reassuring operators, Adeniyi emphasised that the B’Odogwu system remains a central pillar of Customs’ modernisation agenda.

“B’Odogwu, being a flagship project under the Customs Modernisation Programme, remains critical to achieving a transparent, technology-driven, and globally competitive clearance process,” he said.

The CGC further assured that “challenges in this initial phase would be systematically resolved through structured stakeholder engagement, phased improvements, and continuous system upgrades.”

Both the NCS and NSC underscored the need for sustained dialogue and collaboration with wider industry players. The statement confirmed that further consultations with shipping lines and terminal operators are already planned to ensure smoother operations and alignment of processes.

The Service also acknowledged that transitional issues are inevitable in such large-scale reforms but noted that safeguards are being implemented to limit disruptions and shield operators from excessive costs such as demurrage.

According to the NCS, the B’Odogwu platform is an indigenous innovation designed to centralise Customs processes, reduce clearance timelines, cut costs, boost compliance, and strengthen government revenue.

In closing, the Service urged stakeholders to rally behind the initiative.

“The NCS calls on stakeholders to support the implementation process, provide constructive feedback, and partner with Customs in building a modernised trade ecosystem that promotes efficiency, competitiveness, and national development,” the statement added.

The engagement marks one of several stakeholder consultations aimed at easing the transition into a more technology-driven clearance regime, which authorities say is vital to improving the country’s trade competitiveness.