According to NCS spokesman, Abdullahi Maiwada, the service has been actively preparing for this integration, culminating in the launch of pilot activities at key locations including the Port and Terminal Multiservices Limited, Tin Can Island Port, and the Apapa Area Command. These strategically selected sites will serve as crucial testing grounds, facilitating close monitoring of the system's performance, robust engagement with stakeholders, and thorough assessment of its effectiveness in a live operational environment.
Providing a quantitative overview of the pilot's initial progress, Maiwada disclosed that a total of 544 Form M entries were processed during this preliminary stage. Of these, a significant 283 entries were successfully registered within the B’Odogwu system, while 10 were validated, and 26 were securely stored for subsequent action. Furthermore, 41 entries were submitted through the platform, 120 were returned to users for necessary corrections, 11 required clarification through queries, 14 had their Pre-Arrival Assessment Reports (PAARs) temporarily locked, and 39 were recommended for final approval. These figures, Maiwada emphasized, underscore the rigorous testing and valuable iterative learning taking place across all the participating customs commands.
The pilot phase also saw the generation of 37 Pre-Arrival Assessment Reports directly from the processed Form M entries. Among these PAARs, seven were successfully registered, the Single Goods Declarations for 12 were processed, two received full approval, eight were recommended for further review, four were submitted for ongoing processing, and four were issued with queries. Maiwada affirmed that these initial outcomes provide concrete evidence of the B’Odogwu system's inherent operational capability to effectively manage end-to-end trade documentation under real-world implementation conditions. He reiterated that the data collected so far reflects both the robustness of the newly deployed system and the significant learning curve being navigated during this crucial pilot phase across all involved commands.
Looking ahead, the implementation of the Form M pilot via the B’Odogwu platform is a strategic step towards a comprehensive nationwide transition. This unified system promises to streamline the often complex customs documentation processes, foster greater transparency in trade transactions, and ultimately accelerate the overall cargo clearance procedures.
In a proactive move to ensure a seamless transition and bolster both trade facilitation and supply chain security throughout the pilot phase, the NCS is actively urging all carriers, including shipping lines and airlines operating within Nigeria, to commence the transmission of their manifests through the B’Odogwu platform. This early adoption by carriers is deemed essential for the smooth integration of all stakeholders into the new digital ecosystem.
Furthermore, the NCS is calling upon all relevant stakeholders, particularly financial institutions that play a crucial role in Form M processing and the trading community at large, to ensure their complete preparedness for the system’s full-scale rollout in the near future. This collaborative approach is intended to minimize disruptions and maximize the benefits of the unified system for all parties involved in international trade.
Maiwada concluded by underscoring the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service, under the leadership of Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi, to actively pursue strategic automation initiatives. These technological advancements are seen as vital in strengthening the NCS’s core functions, including efficient trade facilitation, robust revenue generation for the government, and ultimately contributing to Nigeria’s broader national development objectives in the long term.