…As Comptroller Awe Urges Stakeholders to Embrace System
By Ibe Wada
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Murtala Muhammed Area Command (MMAC), has achieved its first successful 24-hour cargo clearance using the locally developed B’Odogwu platform.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Michael Awe, confirmed the milestone on Monday, 19 May 2025, highlighting the platform’s speed and efficiency.
“Today at MMAC, B’Odogwu has truly arrived. Examination was conducted, assessment completed, payment made, and cargo released all within 24 hours,” he announced.
Comptroller Awe noted that the platform, already tested in other commands such as Port & Terminal Multiservice Limited (PTML), offers seamless stakeholder integration, reduces delays, and drives economic growth through technological innovation and modernisation.
“The benefits are immeasurable. Network issues, which plagued the previous system, are now a thing of the past. I congratulate MMAC stakeholders and all our business partners,” he said.
He further emphasised the advantages of local development, including faster troubleshooting and system upgrades.
The CAC called on stakeholders to collaborate and fully utilise the platform’s capabilities.
Yusuf Oyediran, the first clearing agent to process cargo via B’Odogwu at the airport, expressed satisfaction with the system’s performance.
“Today, I’m proud to represent my company. We received tremendous support from Customs from inception to execution. The entire process took less than five hours, from assessment to payment and release. This is a major milestone for both Customs and Nigeria,” he said.
Chairman of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), MMAC chapter, Bola Balogun, described the B’Odogwu platform as a testament to Nigeria’s technological advancement in customs administration.
He pledged the continued cooperation of clearing agents to ensure the platform’s long-term success.
