Nigeria Customs to Resume 24-Hour Cargo Clearance with B’Odogwu Project

• The Nigeria Customs Service announces plans to resume 24-hour cargo clearance as part of the B’Odogwu modernization project to enhance trade
• Deputy Comptroller General K.I. Adeola highlights the project’s goal of streamlining cargo processes and boosting government revenue through advanced technology

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced plans to resume 24-hour cargo clearance as part of its B’Odogwu modernisation project to enhance trade facilitation and revenue generation.

Speaking at a stakeholder engagement in Apapa on Monday, Deputy Comptroller General (DCG) of ICT and Modernisation, K.I. Adeola, highlighted the transformative impact of the initiative on Nigeria’s trade ecosystem.

Key Highlights of the B’Odogwu Project:

• Approved in May 2022 and ratified by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in April 2023
• A 20-year public-private partnership (PPP) between NCS and the Trade Modernisation Project unit
• Aims to deploy advanced technology to streamline cargo clearance processes

Adeola emphasized that the project goes beyond automation, focusing on building a robust, efficient customs system to enhance trade facilitation, reduce bottlenecks, and boost government revenue.

The stakeholder engagement ended positively, with terminal operators and customs officials pledging to collaborate for the seamless execution of the B’Odogwu modernisation project.