TRADE FACILITATION:CUSTOMS APAPA COMMAND TRAINS NAGAFF MEMBERS ON B’ODOGWU DIGITAL PLATFORM

TRADE FACILITATION:CUSTOMS APAPA COMMAND TRAINS NAGAFF MEMBERS ON B’ODOGWU DIGITAL PLATFORM

By Frank Odinukaeze

In a significant move to promote trade facilitation and deepen digital literacy among freight forwarders, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, under the leadership of Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, FSI, has organized a training session for members of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) on the B’Odogwu digital platform.

Team Lead, Assistant Comptroller AC Fanyan stressing a point during the training of NAGAFF members  on Thursday,at NAGAFF Headquarters, Apapa, Lagos

The training took place on Thursday at the NAGAFF Academy, located at the association’s national headquarters in Apapa, Lagos.

The session, aimed at equipping freight forwarders with hands-on knowledge

Assistant Superintendent of Customs 1 KS Hussain speaking at the ome day training,on Thursday

of the Unified Customs Management System—popularly known as B’Odogwu—was conducted by a team of customs officers led by Assistant Comptroller of customs Apapa port command,AC Fanyan ,Chief Superintendent of Customs,CSC, A.E. Ibrahim, the Technical Supervisor, Apapa Area Command, Assistant Superintendent of Customs 1 KS Hussain,and Assistant Superintendent of Customs 11,MZ Usman.

In his opening remarks, CSC Ibrahim noted that the Customs Comptroller at Apapa, Compt. Olomu, approved the training to bridge knowledge gaps and ensure that stakeholders are aligned with the evolving digital customs operations.

Chief Superintendent of Customs,A,E Ibrahim, giving opening remarks at the one day training

“We are here today to educate you on the Unified Customs Management System, indigenously called B’Odogwu—not B-odogwu, as some may mistakenly call it,” CSC Ibrahim clarified, drawing light laughter from the audience.

According to him, the B’Odogwu platform was first introduced at the PTML Command and has since undergone improvements despite initial implementation challenges.

A cross section of participants at the one day training,at NAGAfF Headquarters on Thursday,

“There is no setup downtime on the B’Odogwu system. Once a declaration is accepted and payment is made, the process is seamless. You can proceed to examination and other steps without delay,” he explained, emphasizing the platform’s speed and efficiency.

He further highlighted that the ultimate goal of the new system is to enhance trade facilitation—one of the core values of customs administration worldwide.

“When trade is facilitated, revenue improves. This is why we’re keen on ensuring that all stakeholders, especially freight forwarders, fully understand how to work with the system,” he added.

The training session featured demonstrations and simplified explanations led by Assistant Superintendent of Customs 1 K.S. Hussein, with assistance from other team members, including A.C. Fayam, A.S..2 MZ Usman

National Publicity Secretary, NAGAFF,Dr Clement Iwegbuna aka Omenma, speaking during the training at NAGAFF Headquarters on Thursday on Apapa Lagos

Participants were introduced to the structure and function of the “behavior microgrid” within the digital platform, which is designed to integrate all stakeholders into a single, unified customs process.

“You are at the forefront of trade as representatives of the consignees. It is important that we work together with seamless understanding,” the customs team emphasized.
During the question and answer session , NAGAfF members asked questions bothering on some technical terms and procedures for navigating the Odogwu platform

Chief of Staff to the president,Comrade Okey Nneri, speaking at the one day training of NAGAFF members on Thursday at NAGAFF Headquarters, Apapa Lagos

Team Lead, Assistant Comptroller Fanyan and Chief Superintendent of Customs AE Ibrahim responded with clear explanation on such terms as “registered”, adding that registered means that your job is in the process of completion,and that when that happens it doesn’t mean that the job is hanging,that could go ahead and continue with the processing of the job.
NAGAFF members expressed appreciation to the Nigeria Customs Service for the initiative and pledged to utilize the knowledge gained to boost compliance and efficiency in their operations

This initiative is part of the Customs Service’s broader strategy to strengthen stakeholder engagement and modernize customs operations through technology.