Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has launched the pilot phase for processing Form M using the B’Odogwu system, a unified customs management platform that will be utilised across all its commands.
Gatekeepers News reports that the initiative, as announced by NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada, represents a significant advancement in the agency’s efforts to reform and modernize trade procedures through technology.
With the approval to integrate Form M processing into the B’Odogwu Trade Portal, the NCS has initiated preparatory activities at key locations, including the Port and Terminal Multiservices Limited at Tin Can Island Port and the Apapa Area Command. These selected sites will facilitate close monitoring, stakeholder engagement, and performance assessment during the pilot phase, ensuring a smooth implementation of the new system.
Maiwada said, “During this period, a total of five hundred and forty-four (544) Form M entries were processed. Of these, 283 were successfully registered, 10 were validated, and 26 were stored for further action.
“Additionally, 41 entries were submitted, 120 were returned for corrections, 11 were queried, 14 had their PAARs locked, and 39 were recommended for approval.
“These figures reflect the robust testing and iterative learning across all participating commands.
“Furthermore, a total of 37 Pre-Arrival Assessment Reports were generated from the processed Forms M. Out of these, seven PAARs were registered, 12 had their Single Goods Declarations processed, two were fully approved, eight were recommended for further review, four were submitted for processing, and four were queried.”
He noted that the results confirmed the operational capacity of the B’Odogwu system to support end-to-end trade documentation under live implementation conditions.
“These figures reflect the robustness of the system and the iterative learning achieved during the pilot across all participating commands,” Maiwada noted.
By implementing the Form M pilot through the B’Odogwu platform, Maiwada assured a nationwide transition to streamline customs documentation, improve transparency, and accelerate clearance processes.
To further enhance trade facilitation and supply chain security during the pilot phase, NCS urges all carriers, including shipping lines and airlines, to begin transmitting manifests through the B’Odogwu platform.
Stakeholders, particularly financial institutions and traders, are also urged to ensure full preparedness for the system’s complete rollout.
Maiwada emphasised that under the leadership of Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi, the NCS remains committed to pursuing strategic automation initiatives that strengthen its roles in trade facilitation, revenue generation, and national development.
