By Winifred Ngozi Orji
Harboursandport.com: Lagos, nigeria - February 5, 2025:Twenty Nigerian commercial banks have been integrated into the Nigeria Customs Services, NCS new software, "B'Odogwu", which utilises advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, AI, Machine Learning, ML, and Virtual Reality, VR.
The Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs ICT Modernization, Kikelomo Adeola, revealed this during a sensitisation meeting with port terminal operators, bonded terminals and freight agents from Apapa and Tincan Island ports on Monday.
At the event held at the Apapa Customs Command, DCG Adeola revealed that 19 Nigerian banks had integrated into B’Odogwu for seamless payments, with one more bank added before 11 am on Monday.
While urging commercial banks to participate in the initiative, the Customs ICT head mentioned that the NCS had started talks with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN to establish an agreement that would require all Nigerian banks to integrate into B’Odogwu.
The list of banks already integrated into the B’Odogwu software includes Access Bank, CITI Bank, Coronation Merchant Bank, BCO Bank, FCMB, Fidelity Bank, First Bank, Globus Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, GTB, NOVA Bank, Parallex Bank, Rand Merchant Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, United Bank for Africa,UBA, Union Bank, Unity Bank, WEMA Bank, and Zenith Bank.
DCG Adeola stressed that the Modernization Project was designed to address long standing inefficiencies in Customs operations by streamlining processes using cutting-edge technology to deliver a fully-automated Customs ecosystem.
She noted that the project was formally approved in May 22 and ratified in April 2023 by the Federal Executive Council structured as a 20- year concession under the Public Private Partnership to address critical challenges such as; smuggling, duty evasion, administrative processes and inadequate monitoring systems.
She emphasized that the deliverables of the project include: a unified Customs management, electronic cargo tracking system, non- intrusive inspection scanners, risk controlled center, infrastructure upgrades, data centers, intelligent gates, training programs for Customs personnel and stakeholders.
The Customs boss said that the pilot deployment of B’Odogwu was a milestone transitioning the project from planning to execution with the system producing its first single goods declaration (SGD) and assessment number in November 2024, adding that the biggest success observed at pilot phase at PTML can be seen as the 100% jettisoning on NICIS II platform for B’Odogwu for all new businesses at the port.
Noting the need for the appropriate port infrastructure at seaports to support B’Odogwu, she lavishly thanked Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for its commitment towards providing the ideal port infrastructure to support B’Odogwu at the nation’s seaports.
She said that the system’s infrastructures have been laid in Commands like Apapa and Tincan to support subsequent deployment of B’Odogwu, adding that scanners will also be deployed in the second quarter of the year.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Trade Modernization Project, Dr. Jummai Ajijola, noted that the successful delivery at PTML was as a result of robust stakeholders engagement enjoyed and should be sustained.
“The concessionaires have us to deliver on the project by bringing expected expertise in technology and the necessary financial investment. Over the 20 years, there is a requirement of $2.2 billion in financing that is involved which the CGC of Customs cannot do alone so, there is need for partners like you,” she said.
Earlier, the Customs Area Controller of TCIP, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, urged port stakeholders at Apapa and Tincan Island to back the B’Odogwu platform and take advantage of the opportunities to address any potential gaps and enhance the software's functionality.
He stated “B’Odogwu is a departure from the norm, therefore, it is bound to have some teething problems. However, at the NCS, we are convinced that it is a software that guarantees efficiency and seamless operations.”
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