The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has officially launched the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), also known as B’Odogwu, at the Port Harcourt Area II Command, Onne, in a move aimed at modernizing trade operations and boosting revenue collection.
The new platform, developed indigenously, represents a major leap forward in the Service’s drive to automate processes, enhance compliance, and facilitate seamless cargo clearance.
Speaking during the unveiling ceremony, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, Customs Area Controller of the Port Harcourt II Command, described the deployment as a strategic step in aligning with the national push for full automation within Customs operations.
“It is imperative for the Command to key into the Service’s efforts to fully automate its services to improve efficiency, enhance compliance and optimize revenue collection,” Babandede stated.
According to him, the Command has already processed its first Single Goods Declaration (SGD) using the B’Odogwu platform, referencing declaration number C1202505PN. He noted that the successful transaction demonstrates the platform’s capacity to facilitate quick and efficient clearance of goods, reducing delays and costs for importers and agents.
The launch was witnessed by Customs officers and key stakeholders, including clearing agents. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Theophilus P. Duniya, said the event marked a historic milestone for the Service, as it showcases the viability of homegrown digital solutions in transforming port operations.
Clearing agent Mr. Iroegbu Samuel, who participated in the pilot declaration, lauded the system’s speed and flexibility.
“From capturing to release, the process was seamless and fast,” he said. “It’s not very different from the NICIS II platform, but it’s more adaptable and user-friendly. There’s nothing to fear.”
The B’Odogwu system is expected to be a game-changer in Nigeria’s trade ecosystem, enabling greater transparency, reducing human interface, and increasing revenue assurance.
Comptroller Babandede called on all stakeholders and the trading public to embrace the new technology, urging them to support the Customs Service in its mission to reform and transform Nigeria’s trade environment through innovation and digitalization.
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