The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced 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.
This achievement follows the recent strategic engagement between the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, 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.
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.
The NCS in a statement endorsed by its National Public Relations Officer, AC Abdullahi Maiwada, said 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 Authorised 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 urged the trading community to embrace the B’Odogwu platform for a more efficient, transparent, and technology-driven Customs processes”, the statement read in part