A wave of operational disruption has swept through Nigeria’s seaports in the past two weeks, as persistent network glitches in the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) B’Odogwu digital platform have slowed, or in some cases completely halted the clearance of goods.
The fallout is stark, more than 5,000 cargoes remain trapped at ports, while port users estimate potential losses of up to ₦2 trillion in demurrage charges.
The Disruption: System Glitches and Ripple Effects
Stakeholders argue that the B’Odogwu platform, launched to streamline customs procedures, has instead created bottlenecks. Clearing agents warn that delayed cargo release will inevitably drive up costs, pushing prices upward and adding further inflationary pressure on consumer goods.
In response, industry experts are calling for urgent government intervention. Proposals include demurrage waivers, concessions from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and shipping lines, and the reactivation of old systems alongside B’Odogwu until stability is fully achieved.
Lucky Amiwero, president of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), has likened the situation to a national emergency.
NCS Responds: Fixes, Meetings, and Revenue Amid Glitches
The NCS has acknowledged technical challenges, especially those tied to the onboarding of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) onto B’Odogwu, a move that interfered with the transmission of key documents such as Product Certificates, SONCAP, Form M, PRE-Arrival Assessment Reports (PAAR), and Single Goods Declarations (SGD).
By August 6, 2025, NCS and SON had resolved the integration issues, and the backlog began to clear.
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Importantly, NCS highlights that Apapa Customs alone generated ₦161.2 billion from August 1–22, 2025, through the B’Odogwu system, indicating its substantial revenue potential despite user frustrations.
The NCS has proactively engaged with stakeholders, holding consultations with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to seek collaborative solutions aimed at cushioning the blow of demurrage and restoring efficient clearance operations.
Calls for Relief and Better Transition Strategies
Industry insiders stress that demurrage charges should not be passed onto importers when system failures are clearly to blame. One dimension of proposed relief is a coordinated package; government grants NPA concessions, which in turn pass benefits to shipping lines, creating a ripple of support that protects traders.
APM Terminals Apapa and NCS have also initiated user-support measures, including “B’Odogwu Clinics” to offer real-time help navigating the new system, marking collaborative steps to reduce pressure on port operators and users.
In contrast, NCS officials argue that many delays stem not from system failure, but from importers’ failure to migrate documentation (particularly Form M and prior PARs) from the old NICIS II system. Customs asserts that B’Odogwu is fully functional and reiterates that affected users should engage through help desks and formal channels.
Looking Ahead: B’Odogwu’s Promise and Path to Stability
Introduced as an indigenous replacement for foreign systems, B’Odogwu was expected to usher in a new era of speed, transparency, and efficiency in customs administration. But as with any large-scale digital transition, teething problems have emerged.
NCS officials emphasize that such disruptions were anticipated, and insist that increasingly robust technical support, training, and stakeholder engagement are critical to long-term success.
