Stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime industry were left frustrated on Thursday after the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) failed to attend a seminar dedicated to examining the “Impact of the B’Odogwu Digital Platform on Trade Facilitation and Women’s Contributions to the Maritime Sector.”
The event, held at Rockview Hotel in Apapa, drew freight forwarders, shippers, barge operators and customs agents who had hoped to question the NCS on the digital platform’s operation and challenges.
Organised by the Media Anti-Corruption Initiatives and Hynek Media, the forum was expected to offer a rare platform for direct engagement between Customs officials and industry players still grappling with the new digital system.
Instead, Customs’ absence became the focus of discussion, overshadowing the seminar’s objectives and leaving many participants disappointed.
Representing the chairman of the occasion, former ANLCA Secretary Babatunde Mukaila described the no-show as “regrettable,” noting that stakeholders had arrived with numerous concerns seeking clarity.
He added that participants were departing with “more questions than answers,” particularly regarding benchmarks for clearing vehicles and operational inconsistencies across commands.
Keynote speaker and President of Women in Maritime Africa, Mrs. Rollens Macfoy, acknowledged the innovation behind the B’Odogwu platform but lamented the missed opportunity to address real-time industry pains.
She highlighted lingering issues such as inter-command interference and transparency in Customs operations, stressing that stakeholder engagement was critical for trust and efficiency.
Former NPA Port Manager, Mrs. Carol Ufere, echoed similar sentiments, calling the absence a “lost opportunity” for Customs to explain the progress and challenges associated with B’Odogwu.
She said the system’s early hitches required clear communication from leadership to avoid misinterpretations and foster smoother cargo clearance processes.
According to the organisers, the Customs High Command was formally invited and had given no prior indication of withdrawal.
B’Odogwu—a home-grown digital platform launched in 2024 to replace NICIS II—has boosted transparency and revenue, achieving a 34% revenue rise at the PTML Command.
Yet, stakeholders insist that effective communication remains the missing link, leaving many to wonder why Customs avoided a forum centred on its flagship digital innovation.
Reporting by Fabian Anawo