Tincan Sets Sail with B’Odogwu: New Platform Ushers in Era of Transparent, Accelerated Cargo Declarations
Kathy Kyari
The Nigeria Customs Service's (NCS) Tincan Island Port Command has processed its first Single Goods Declaration (SGD) successfully using the recently created B'Odogwu platform, marking a significant advancement for the country's maritime industry.
In a statement issued by the Command's Public Relations Officer, SC OE Ivara, the Command emphasized its commitment to leveraging indigenous technology to drive digital transformation in customs processes, aligning with the Federal Government’s ease of doing business reforms.
The milestone event, which occurred on Monday, May 12, 2025, represents a crucial advancement in trade facilitation, transparency, and operational efficiency at one of Nigeria’s busiest seaports.
Speaking on the achievement, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, stated:
"This achievement demonstrates our readiness to embrace technology that streamlines cargo clearance procedures, reduces dwell time, and improves service delivery. The B’Odogwu platform has shown great promise, and we are proud to be pioneers in its implementation."
Comptroller Onyeka noted that the Command has achieved 100% network infrastructure coverage across all terminals and its headquarters. He emphasized that with this infrastructure in place, network failures have been effectively eliminated, guaranteeing seamless connectivity and efficient processing of trade documentation.
He explained that the B’Odogwu platform is fully integrated with existing Customs systems and offers a user-friendly interface for declarants, brokers, and other stakeholders.
"It enhances cargo tracking, document processing, and compliance management in real-time, reducing manual bottlenecks and opportunities for delays," he said.
The Controller further revealed that the successful rollout of the platform followed a series of comprehensive training sessions and stakeholder engagements.
These capacity-building initiatives, organized by the Command in collaboration with the system developers, were targeted at ensuring smooth adoption. "The training sessions covered critical areas such as system navigation, document processing, cargo tracking, and compliance protocols," he added.
Stakeholders across the industry, including SteveJosh Logistics International Limited, whose declaration was the first to be captured on the platform, welcomed the innovation. They expressed confidence that B’Odogwu would help reduce transaction costs and boost Nigeria’s global trade competitiveness.
The Tincan Island Port Command reaffirmed its dedication to adopting cutting-edge technologies that support national economic growth and strengthen Nigeria’s position in international trade.
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