Tag: customs

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has acknowledged the recent technical disruption that affected the transmission of Product Certificates and SONCAP documents required for Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) processing — a key step in cargo clearance. 

In a communiqué issued on Thursday by its National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, the NCS confirmed that the issue has now been fully resolved in collaboration with SON, and the backlog of affected transactions is currently being cleared.

The glitch, which according to the Service arose during SON’s onboarding onto the B’Odogwu trade automation platform on July 23, 2025, had delayed the proper capture of Form M, PAAR, and Single Goods Declaration (SGD), causing concern among importers and licensed customs agents nationwide.

“The disruption followed technical integration challenges that emerged during the process of onboarding the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) on the B’Odogwu platform,” Maiwada said.

He added, “As of Wednesday, August 6, 2025, both agencies have successfully resolved the transmission issues. Product Certificates and SONCAP documents are now being transmitted seamlessly, and the backlog of affected transactions is being cleared.”

The Service detailed specific system errors such as incorrect data formatting, missing product codes, limited space for trader names, ambiguous error messages, and issues linking Tax Identification Numbers (TINs) to user profiles. While NCS swiftly corrected its end of the system, it noted that full resolution depended on SON’s intervention—now completed.

Customs statement comes amid a flurry of accusations from critical stakeholders over the rising prolonged cargo clearance delays at Lagos ports. While importers and freight forwarders accused the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) of deploying a “faulty trade platform”, B’Odogwu, that has disrupted operations and triggered heavy demurrage charges, Customs on the other hand insisted that the problem lies with the importers and not the platform.

Logistics expert and President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Lucky Amiwero, was among the most vocal critics. 

He cited an incident of a distressed importer whose consignment, which arrived at the Lagos Port since July 28, has remained uncleared, incurring demurrage due to unresolved PARs issues reportedly tied to the B’Odogwu platform.

Amiwero criticised the NCS for introducing a system he claims is not ready for nationwide deployment. He said the Service must be held responsible for the losses importers are suffering due to what he described as a “non-functioning platform.”

He said: “I think B’Odogwu has a fault. Customs are liable because they introduced something that is not working. If the system causes delays, then Customs must be held responsible and pay demurrages.”

Amiwero, who is also the President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents(NCMDLCA), called for an independent government investigation into the platform, which he said has remained problematic since its introduction nearly three years ago.

“People are suffering in the ports. We can’t just dismiss this. The Federal Government must set up a committee to audit the platform and Customs’ processes. This has happened before under Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Customs were held accountable then,” he said.

He also dismissed Customs’ claims blaming importers for the delays.

“The Customs spokesperson is just defending his job. He’s not telling the truth. The issue is systemic,” Amiwero added.

Some importers shared mixed reactions. Harriet William attested to the efficiency of the B’Odogwu regime, stating, “While the shipment was initially diverted to Cotonou, the clearance process upon its eventual arrival in Lagos was smooth.

“Once the goods landed in Lagos, the clearance wasn’t too hectic. There was no issue with the B’Odogwu system in my case.

But for others like Chuka Onuoha, described the platform as confusing and the support process as frustrating.

“The helpdesk takes too long to respond. Even when you follow the steps, there’s always a new complication. Meanwhile, storage costs pile up. It’s not sustainable,” he said.

At the centre of the defence was Assistant Superintendent of Customs and B’Odogwu Help Desk Officer, Usman Jere, who maintained that B’Odogwu is working smoothly, and that the delays are largely a result of failure to migrate old documentation, particularly Form M and PARs, from the now-retired Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS II) platform.

He said: “The B’Odogwu platform is fully functional. What we’re seeing is that many importers failed to migrate their documentation when the window portal was open.

“But if you’re holding on to a PARs from NICIS II, it must first be migrated along with your Form M. That is the proper procedure before any new PARs can be generated on B’Odogwu.”

He further explained that the migration process requires importers to first create a trader account on B’Odogwu, using a valid TIN (Tax Identification Number) linked to a functioning email. After this, the trader submits the old Form M and PAR to Customs through the technical supervisor for validation and transfer to the new platform.

“Once the migration is done, it enables the trader to recreate a new PAR. It doesn’t take long, provided all required documents are submitted,” Jere added.

For traders using B’Odogwu from the beginning, he said the process is even easier, stating, “Unlike NICIS II, where you had to go through the bank, B’Odogwu allows the trader to create a Form M, get it validated by the bank online, and immediately generate a PARs on the same dashboard, all without visiting a bank physically.

Addressing other reported challenges, Jere acknowledged an integration issue with the SunCap certificate, a third-party regulatory input, but emphasised that the Customs team has already provided clear workarounds and contact links to affected importers.

“We guide importers through it even via Zoom. If it requires contact with SunCap directly, we share their helpdesk contact as well,” he said, assuring that 24/7 support is available both physically at Tin Can and Apapa ports and virtually nationwide.

Maiwada also defended the platform, dismissing the notion that B’Odogwu is to blame for widespread clearance delays. He described the allegations as “unfair and misleading.”

“If one or two importers have problems, they should be addressed individually. We cannot condemn an entire system that’s processing thousands of transactions daily,” Maiwada said.

“Let that importer bring the case forward, we are ready to look into it. We will investigate, and if Customs is at fault, we will admit and resolve it.

Read Also: Customs intercepts tanker carrying 250 bags of rice in Kaduna

Maiwada noted that Customs has a dedicated help desk for B’Odogwu and has assigned officers specifically to address such complaints, adding that importers should channel issues formally rather than resorting to media narratives that may undermine national digital trade reforms.

He emphasised that the B’Odogwu platform is part of Customs’ digital transformation agenda aimed at improving efficiency, reducing human interference, and promoting trade transparency.

To support users during the transition, NCS, he said, has deployed trained officers across all zones (A, B, C, and D) and launched regular training sessions at its commands nationwide, noting, “These sessions not only build user capacity but also serve as a channel for surfacing and resolving operational challenges on the platform.”

However, experts and port users insist that more needs to be done. 

“You can’t build digital efficiency on a broken user experience. Fix the system or fix the way it’s being managed,” Onuoha said.

With the backlog now being cleared, stakeholders await the full stabilisation of the platform amid growing calls for a transparent review of its deployment and user support mechanisms.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday announced January 2026 as the beginning of the implementation of the globally recognised Authorised Economic Operator Programme across the country.

The service also said the full migration from the current Fast Track Scheme will end by the 31st of December, this year.

The migration, according to the NCS, is part of a broader reform agenda aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and strengthening supply chain security.

Addressing importers, clearing agents, stakeholders and members of the organised private sector in Lagos, yesterday, Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, declared that the AEO program represents a paradigm shift in the way the Service is interacting with the traders and other stakeholders.

Adeniyi, who was represented by the Zonal Coordinator in charge of Zone ‘A’, Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) Charles Orbih, stated that while the Fast Track Scheme served its purpose for over a decade, it lacked a formal legal framework and was no longer aligned with the dynamic nature of the global supply chain.

The AEO programme, he said, “is a more structured, risk-based, and transparent model developed in line with the World Customs Organisation’s SAFE Framework of Standards.”

He said benefits for certified businesses include faster clearance, reduced physical inspections, dedicated service desks, and priority treatment during port congestion, all of which contribute to cost reduction and improved supply chain efficiency.

According to him, “a recent Time Release Study (TRS) revealed that AEO-certified businesses already enjoy a significant reduction in cargo clearance time, averaging 43 hours compared to non-AEO traders.

“The AEO programme was first piloted in Nigeria on 15th April 2024, and following thorough testing, capacity building, and stakeholder consultations, the national launch was held on 14th February 2025.

The objective is to identify and reward businesses that demonstrate consistent compliance with Customs and tax regulations by granting them faster, more predictable, and more efficient clearance processes.

“AEO-certified businesses enjoy a wide range of benefits, including faster cargo clearance and release, reduced physical inspections, dedicated service desks at ports and terminals, priority treatment during disruptions or port congestion, improved dispute resolution channels, greater supply chain visibility and global recognition.

Read Also: Customs intercept rice-laden tanker, hands over seized drugs, chemicals in Kaduna

“This reform not only supports trade facilitation but helps Nigeria meet its obligations under the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, making our trade ecosystem more competitive and business-friendly,” he said.

Speaking on the Post Clearance Audit (PCA) reforms, Adeniyi said the unit has been restructured with a dedicated Assistant Comptroller-General to ensure robust audit-based controls without disrupting legitimate trade, thereby reinforcing the AEO framework.

In his welcome address, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs in charge of the PCA unit, Zanda Chiroma, noted that the Fast Track scheme will be officially decommissioned on December 31, 2025, and urged all existing beneficiaries to submit new AEO applications through the official portal aeo.nigeriatradehub.gov.ng.

Chiroma assured stakeholders of a smooth and credible transition process, with clear operational guidelines and a trained team of validators in place.

“This migration is taking place within the broader framework of NCS reform—one that is anchored on transparency, efficiency, and evidence-based compliance management. Central to this reform is the transformation of the Post Clearance Audit (PCA) regime.

“In recognition of the critical role PCA plays in Customs modernisation, the PCA Unit was officially moved from the Tariff and Trade Department to the Office of the Comptroller-General of Customs with effect from 19 December 2024. This strategic realignment underscores the high-level priority now accorded to PCA as a core compliance and revenue assurance function,” he said.

The Director General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Kadir, who was represented by Secretary Sunday Opeh, however, raised concerns about the AEO program’s application process.

He noted that the conditions for enlistment are currently tedious and difficult, which has resulted in a limited number of companies being onboarded.

He appealed to the Customs management to simplify the process and gradually admit companies, expressing fears that a difficult transition could hinder business for manufacturers.

Kadir also called on the Customs to address the issue of other security agencies, particularly the police, interfering with consignments, a challenge he said plagued the Fast Track scheme.

Responding to these concerns, AEO Team lead, Chief Superintendent of Customs Nnenna Awa, assured stakeholders that, unlike the previous scheme, the AEO programme includes agencies such as the DSS, National Security Adviser (NSA), NAFDAC, and SON to ensure seamless trade facilitation and eliminate delays.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has attributed the growing delays in the release of Pre-Arrival Assessment Reports (PARs) at Lagos ports to importers’ failure to properly migrate their documents to its new trade platform, B’Odogwu.

Responding to mounting complaints from clearing agents and freight forwarders over prolonged cargo clearance times, the NCS clarified that the B’Odogwu system is not faulty and should not be blamed for the congestion being experienced.

An affected importer, who spoke anonymously, lamented that his consignment, which arrived on July 28, has remained uncleared due to unresolved PARs linked to the B’Odogwu platform, resulting in rising demurrage and operational costs.

However, Assistant Superintendent of Customs and B’Odogwu Help Desk Officer, Usman Jere, in an exclusive interview with The Nation, insisted that the system is fully functional. He explained that the delays are primarily due to many importers failing to migrate their documents—especially Form M and old PARs—from the now-defunct Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS II) to B’Odogwu.

“The B’Odogwu platform is fully operational. The issue is that many importers didn’t migrate their documentation during the transition window,” Jere stated. “If you still hold a PAR from NICIS II, it must be migrated along with your Form M before a new PAR can be generated on B’Odogwu.”

He further detailed the migration process, which involves creating a trader account on B’Odogwu using a valid TIN linked to a working email address. Once this is done, importers are to submit their old Form M and PAR for validation and transfer by Customs technical supervisors.

“Once validated, a new PAR can be generated quickly—provided all documents are complete,” he said.

Jere added that for traders who started directly on B’Odogwu, the process is even more streamlined. Unlike NICIS II, which required visiting banks, B’Odogwu allows users to create and validate Form M online and generate a PAR directly from the same dashboard.

He also addressed complaints related to SunCap certificate integration—a third-party regulatory requirement—saying Customs has already provided workarounds and contact information for affected users.

Jere urged importers to follow proper procedures and utilise the support channels available to ensure a smoother transition and avoid unnecessary delays.

Read Also: Customs unveils ethics guide to boost transparency

“We had an issue recently with SunCap. But we provided a solution. We guide importers through it—even via Zoom. If it requires contact with SunCap directly, we share their helpdesk contact as well,” he said.

He stressed that the Service has a fully functional 24/7 help desk across Tin Can and Apapa ports, with on-site support officers and virtual options for importers across the country.

“Even if an importer is not in Lagos, we send Zoom links. We ask them to share their screens, and we walk them through the process—step by step,” Jere assured.

Shedding more light on the claims, the NCS National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, dismissed allegations that B’Odogwu is the root cause of the clearance delays. He described such reports as “misleading” and “unfair to the system,” insisting that the platform is not to blame for individual clearance issues.

He said, “If one importer has a problem, it must be addressed specifically. We cannot condemn an entire system because a few users failed to comply with the procedure.

“Let that importer bring the case forward; we are ready to look into it. We will investigate, and if Customs is at fault, we will admit and resolve it.

Maiwada noted that Customs has a dedicated help desk for B’Odogwu and has assigned officers specifically to address such complaints, adding that importers should channel issues formally rather than resorting to media narratives that may undermine national digital trade reforms.

“We have thousands of importations ongoing. If one, two, or three people have a problem, we can’t generalise. We have procedures and templates to resolve issues

“We are ready to listen and take responsibility where necessary. But we urge importers to engage through the right channels, not to discredit a system that is designed to improve efficiency and reduce corruption,” he added.

He disclosed that the Service has already instructed that the contact details of designated B’Odogwu officers be made available to affected importers.

The B’Odogwu platform was introduced as part of the NCS’s automation and modernisation agenda to streamline clearance procedures, enhance transparency, and reduce human interference at the ports. However, the transition from NICIS II has required importers to adapt to new procedures, which Customs insists are more efficient when properly followed.

Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone B, have intercepted a Daf tanker truck used to smuggle 250 bags of foreign parboiled rice concealed inside the tank compartment.

The vehicle, seized along the Yauri-Kontagora Road in Kebbi State on August 3, was escorted to Kaduna, where a thorough examination uncovered the hidden contraband, with a duty-paid value of N20.51 million.

Comptroller of the Unit, AM Alkali, praised the officers for their professionalism, noting that the operation was based on actionable intelligence and formed part of ongoing efforts to suppress smuggling and protect the nation’s economy.

He reaffirmed the Unit’s commitment to deploying proactive surveillance and intelligence strategies to check illicit trade and safeguard local industries.

Alkali also expressed gratitude to the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for his support, while hailing President Bola Tinubu for extending the CGC’s tenure — a move he described as well-deserved and reflective of Adeniyi’s visionary leadership.

Read Also: Extension of Customs chief’s tenure excites coalition

In a related development, the Unit said it has officially handed over seized medicaments and chemicals to regulatory agencies; the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in Kaduna on July 17.

According to the Comptroller, Items handed over to NAFDAC included 58,740 sachets of 100mg and 50mg unregistered drugs and 27 cartons of Analgin injection. NESREA received three sacks containing 990 pieces of a banned chemical known as Riodin.

Alkali further said that the collaboration with sister agencies demonstrates Customs’ holistic approach to enforcement and its resolve to protect public health and the environment.

He called on Nigerians to support the efforts of the Customs Service in securing the nation’s borders and curbing the menace of smuggling.

The Comptroller assured that his men will not relent in enforcing customs laws and contributing to national economic growth through sustained anti-smuggling campaigns.

Suspected smugglers of petroleum products in Adamawa State have launched violent attacks on officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), injuring personnel and attempting to set them ablaze.

The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Controller Hussein Ejibunu, disclosed this during a press briefing on Thursday at the Adamawa/Taraba Area Command of the NCS in Yola.

Ejibunu said Customs officers under the anti-smuggling operation had been ambushed twice within two weeks by the suspects while attempting to curb illegal fuel smuggling across the state’s borders.

He described the first attack, which occurred on July 16, 2025, in Mujara, Mubi North Local Government Area, as particularly disturbing.

According to him, the officers were ambushed with daggers and sticks, and narrowly escaped being forced into operational vehicles the smugglers allegedly intended to set ablaze.

Read Also: JUST IN: Tinubu extends Adeniyi’s tenure as Customs CG by one year

“It is only by the special grace of God that our men were not burnt alive,” Ejibunu said.

One officer, Isah Mohammed, sustained severe injuries, and his phone was forcefully taken and destroyed during the assault.

A second attack happened days later when suspected smugglers hurled stones at officers returning from a surveillance duty.

Despite the escalating violence, Ejibunu reported that his team had successfully intercepted a total of 69,375 litres of petrol and diesel intended for illegal export from Adamawa State.

He condemned the attacks and reiterated the commitment of Operation Whirlwind to clamp down on fuel smuggling and safeguard national resources.