Mkpoikana Udoma


Port Harcourt —

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has initiated a pilot program for handling Form M using their internally developed B’Odoggwu Unified Customs Management System, signaling an important step forward in digitizing Nigeria’s trade facilitation processes.

The move is seen as a major stride toward streamlining customs documentation, boosting efficiency, and reinforcing transparency across the country’s import-export value chain.
According to a statement issued by the National Public Relations Officer of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, the trial conducted at PTML, Tin Can Island Port, and Apapa Area Command showcased the system’s capability to manage complete trade documentation from start to finish.
In the pilot phase, a total of 544 Form M submissions were handled; among these, 283 were successfully recorded, with an additional 37 Pre-Arrival Assessment Reports (PAARs) being produced. This demonstrates the strong performance of the B’Ododgwu system within an active trading setting.
Maiwada stated that incorporating Form M processing within the B’Odogwu platform is a key component of an overarching plan to digitize customs procedures as led by Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR.
“The B’Odogwu platform is a game-changer. It allows for real-time tracking, error detection, and swift document processing—eliminating delays and enhancing accountability.
Out of the 544 submissions reviewed, 120 required revisions, 26 were kept for additional steps, and 14 had their PAARs secured—which highlights the system’s inherent protections for maintaining trading standards.
The Customs Service has also stated that financial institutions and traders are receiving training as part of the preparations for the comprehensive national rollout of the system.
Meanwhile, shipping companies and airlines have been encouraged to start sending passenger lists directly to the B’Odowgu platform to facilitate smooth processing throughout the transition period.