Twenty Nigerian commercial banks have been integrated into Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) latest software which incorporates advanced technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Virtual Reality (VR) – “B’Odogwu”
The Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs ICT Modernization, Kikelomo Adeola, disclosed this during a sensitisation meeting with port terminal operators, bonded terminals and freight agents from Apapa and Tincan Island ports on Monday.
At the event, which held at the Apapa Customs Command, DCG Adeola, disclosed that 19 Nigerian banks had integrated into B’Odogwu for seamless payments while one additional bank was added before 11am on Monday.
While encouraging commercial banks to key into the initiative, the Customs ICT boss stated that the NCS had commenced discussions with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in a bid to enter an agreement that would see the apex bank direct all Nigerian banks to be integrated into B’Odogwu.
News Diet obtained the list of banks already on B’Odogwu software and they include: Access bank, CITI bank, Coronation Merchant bank, BCO bank, FCMB, Fidelity bank, First bank, Globus bank, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), NOVA bank, Parallex bank, Rand Merchant bank, Stanbic IBTC bank, Standard Chartered bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Union bank, Unity bank, WEMA bank, and Zenith bank.
DCG Adeola stressed that the Modernization Project was designed to address long standing inefficiencies in Customs operations by streamlining processes using cutting-edge technology to deliver a fully-automated Customs ecosystem.
She noted that the project was formally approved in May 22 and ratified in April 2023 by the Federal Executive Council structured as a 20- year concession under the Public Private Partnership to address critical challenges such as; smuggling, duty evasion, administrative processes and inadequate monitoring systems.
She emphasized that the deliverables of the project include: a unified Customs management, electronic cargo tracking system, non- intrusive inspection scanners, risk controlled center, infrastructure upgrades, data centers, intelligent gates, training programs for Customs personnel and stakeholders.
The Customs boss said that the pilot deployment of B’Odogwu was a milestone transitioning the project from planning to execution with the system producing its first single goods declaration (SGD) and assessment number in November 2024, adding that the biggest success observed at pilot phase at PTML can be seen as the 100% jettisoning on NICIS II platform for B’Odogwu for all new businesses at the port.
Noting the need for the appropriate port infrastructure at seaports to support B’Odogwu, she lavishly thanked Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for its commitment towards providing the ideal port infrastructure to support B’Odogwu at the nation’s seaports.
She said that the system’s infrastructures have been laid in Commands like Apapa and Tincan to support subsequent deployment of B’Odogwu, adding that scanners will also be deployed in the second quarter of the year.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Trade Modernization Project, Dr. Jummai Ajijola, noted that the successful delivery at PTML was as a result of robust stakeholders engagement enjoyed and should be sustained.
“The concessionaires have us to deliver on the project by bringing expected expertise in technology and the necessary financial investment. Over the 20 years, there is a requirement of $2.2 billion in financing that is involved which the CGC of Customs cannot do alone so, there is need for partners like you,” she said.
Earlier, the Customs Area Controller of TCIP, Comptroller Frank Onyeka encouraged port stakeholders at Apapa and Tincan Island to support the B’Odogwu platform and maximise the opportunities to discuss possible gaps and functionality of the software.
His words: “B’Odogwu is a departure from the norm, therefore, it is bound to have some teething problems. However, at the NCS, we are convinced that it is a software that guarantees efficiency and seamless operations.”
