By Oluyinka Onigbinde
Maritime stakeholders have commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for implementing far-reaching reforms that have significantly improved trade facilitation and modernised cargo processing, but insist that delays caused by terminal operators, shipping companies and other government agencies continue to undermine faster cargo clearance at the nation’s seaports.
Speaking with Shipping Position Daily, customs brokers, freight forwarders and economists said initiatives such as the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, the indigenous B’Odogwu clearance platform, the Time Release Study (TRS), the Customs Modernisation Project and the National Single Window, have transformed Customs operations through increased digitalisation, reduced human interface and improved transparency.
However, they argued that while Customs has made remarkable progress in simplifying its own processes, the full benefits of the reforms cannot be realised until every agency involved in cargo clearance embraces the same level of automation and efficiency.
Former National Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Babatunde Mukaila, described the reforms as one of the most ambitious modernisation efforts undertaken by the Service in recent years.
“I think the Comptroller-General has done well. His determination to position Nigeria in line with international best practices deserves commendation. He has remained open to criticism and has always demonstrated willingness to improve where necessary,” he said.
Mukaila noted that although the roll-out of the indigenous B’Odogwu platform witnessed initial implementation challenges, the system has gradually stabilised and is now delivering tangible benefits to the trading community.
According to him, the lessons learnt during the deployment of B’Odogwu have also strengthened stakeholder engagement for subsequent reforms, including the National Single Window initiative.
He described the introduction of the Time Release Study as another important milestone, saying it provides an internationally recognised framework for measuring the efficiency of cargo clearance and identifying operational bottlenecks.
“The Time Release Study may still be evolving, but it is good for both Customs and stakeholders because it enables us to know how long cargo spends in the clearance process, from arrival until release,” he said.
Mukaila maintained that Customs’ digital transformation has substantially reduced physical interactions between freight forwarders and Customs officers, making cargo documentation faster and more convenient.
“As the Managing Director of my company, I hardly need to visit the ports anymore. About 70 per cent of my work is done from the comfort of my office. That is one of the biggest achievements of the ongoing digital reforms.”
On whether the reforms have translated into faster cargo clearance, Mukaila answered in the affirmative, but stressed that Customs should not be blamed for delays caused by other operators within the port system.
“For Customs specifically, the reforms have positively impacted cargo clearance. But when terminal operators fail to position containers for examination for six or seven days, you cannot blame Customs. When shipping companies increase charges or other government agencies delay their own procedures, Customs should not carry the responsibility.
“Customs has done its own part. The delays we still experience are largely outside the control of the Service.”
He called for the institutionalisation of all ongoing digital reforms to ensure they become permanent features of Customs administration, irrespective of changes in leadership.
Also speaking, the Deputy National President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF); Mr. Simeon Nwonu acknowledged that Customs has consistently embraced technological innovation over the years, moving from analogue operations through the ASYCUDA platform to indigenous digital systems such as B’Odogwu.
“There is no doubt that Customs has continued to improve technologically. We have moved from analogue operations to ASYCUDA and now to B’Odogwu and the National Single Window.”
However, he argued that implementation remains one of the biggest challenges confronting Customs reforms.
According to him, the initial deployment of B’Odogwu created serious disruptions because many freight forwarders and importers were not adequately prepared before the system became operational.
“A lot of freight forwarders suffered during the experimental stage. Some even lost customers because implementation came too quickly without allowing adequate transition.”
He further alleged that the early implementation challenges created opportunities for unofficial payments outside government revenue channels before the platform gradually stabilised.
Despite the initial setbacks, he acknowledged that Customs has made noticeable progress in improving cargo processing and trade facilitation.
“Yes, Customs has made progress in improving cargo processing and time release, but I believe the overall gains should be greater considering the level of investment government has made in Customs modernisation.”
The Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr. Muda Yusuf, also said the reforms have repositioned the Nigeria Customs Service as a major driver of trade facilitation, revenue mobilisation and economic growth.
According to Yusuf, Customs has made significant progress in digital transformation, institutional reforms and border security through initiatives aimed at aligning Nigeria’s customs administration with international best practices.
He identified the implementation of the Time Release Study as one of the agency’s major achievements, noting that it has strengthened the monitoring of cargo clearance processes while helping to identify operational bottlenecks across Nigerian ports.
Yusuf also described the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme as a major trade facilitation initiative that has introduced a more efficient risk-based clearance system by rewarding compliant traders with faster processing and fewer physical inspections.
He further described the Customs Modernisation Project and the National Single Window initiative as game-changing reforms capable of transforming Nigeria’s trade environment.
According to him, the initiatives are expected to substantially reduce cargo clearance time, lower transaction costs, improve transparency and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness as a preferred investment and trading destination.
He added that improvements in border surveillance and enforcement have strengthened the interception of arms, ammunition, illicit drugs and other prohibited imports, thereby reinforcing Customs’ role in safeguarding national security, while facilitating legitimate trade.
