ZAINAB JUNAID
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has expanded the pilot phase of Form M process on B’Odogwu (Unified Customs Management System) to all Customs Commands, building on the initial rollout to three designated commands- Port and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML), TinCan Island Port, and Apapa Area Command.
In a statement signed on Monday by the National Public Relations Officer, AC Abdullahi Maiwada, this expansion followed the Service’s approval to integrate Form M process into B’Odogwu Trade Portal and also aims to further streamline customs documentation, enhance transparency, and promote faster clearance timelines.
According to the statement, “A preparatory activities commenced in three designated Customs Commands: Port and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML), TinCan Island Port, and Apapa Area Command.
“These Commands were selected to drive the pilot phase in a controlled and strategic environment, allowing close monitoring, stakeholder engagement, and performance assessment”.
Maiwada informed that during this period, a total of five hundred and forty-four (544) Form M entries were processed. Of these, two hundred and eighty three (283) were successfully registered, ten (10) were validated, and twenty six (26) were stored for further action.
He noted that forty-one (41) entries were submitted, with one hundred and twenty (120) returned for corrections, eleven (11) queried, fourteen (14) had their Pre-Arrival Assessment Reports (PAARs) locked, and thirty nine (39) Forms recommended for approval.
These figures, Maiwada explained, reflects the robust testing and repetitive learning across all participating commands.
“Furthermore, a total of 37 PAARs were generated from the processed Forms M. Out of these, 7 PAARs were registered, 12 had their Single Goods Declarations (SGDs) processed, 2 were fully approved, 8 were recommended for further review, 4 were submitted for processing, and 4 were queried.
“This outcome confirms the operational capacity of the B’Odogwu system to support end-to-end trade documentation during live implementation.
“The successful implementation of the Form M pilot on the B’Odogwu platform signals the beginning of a nationwide transition that will streamline customs documentation, enhance transparency, and promote faster clearance timelines.
“Consequently, to enhance trade facilitation and supply chain security in the ongoing pilot phase, NCS encourages all carriers (shipping lines and airlines) to commence transmission of manifests to the B’dogwu platform while ensuring that all key stakeholders, particularly the financial institutions and traders, are adequately engaged and prepared for full deployment.
“Under the visionary leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, the Service will continue to pursue strategic automation initiatives that consolidate its role in trade facilitation, revenue generation, and national development,” Assistant Comptroller Maiwada added.
