By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has addressed recent concerns raised by importers and licensed customs agents regarding delays in the transmission of Product Certificates required for Form M and SONCAP processing on the B’Odogwu trade automation platform. The Service confirmed that the technical glitches that disrupted operations have now been fully resolved, paving the way for the smooth processing of trade documents and clearance operations.
In an official statement signed by the National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, the NCS acknowledged that the disruptions stemmed from technical integration challenges encountered during the onboarding of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) onto the B’Odogwu platform on July 23, 2025. The integration process had temporarily impacted the ability of traders and agents to accurately input their Form M, Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), and Single Goods Declaration (SGD) data.
According to Maiwada, traders encountered several specific challenges, including insufficient space for capturing trader names, inconsistencies in data formatting, omission of required 10-digit product codes, confusing error messages, and difficulties linking Tax Identification Numbers (TIN) to user profiles. While the Customs Service promptly resolved the issues within its internal systems, additional coordination with SON was required to fully stabilize the process.
The breakthrough, however, came on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, when both agencies confirmed that the transmission issues had been comprehensively addressed. “Product Certificates and SONCAP documents are now being transmitted seamlessly on the B’Odogwu platform,” the statement read. “The backlog of affected transactions is currently being cleared to ensure that legitimate trade flows are not hindered any further.”
To further support stakeholders and improve trade facilitation, the Nigeria Customs Service has commenced the nationwide implementation of the B’Odogwu platform across all operational zones A, B, C, and D. Trained officers have been deployed to provide on-the-spot technical assistance to importers, traders, and licensed customs agents, ensuring that all users of the platform are adequately supported.
The Service also reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, collaboration, and continuous stakeholder engagement. Regular training sessions are currently being conducted across various Customs Commands. These capacity-building sessions are designed not only to enhance users’ familiarity with the B’Odogwu system but also to serve as forums for identifying and addressing operational challenges in real time.
The successful resolution of the recent system hiccup and the proactive rollout of nationwide support initiatives underscore the Service’s resolve to sustain a trade environment that is technologically efficient, transparent, and inclusive. The NCS has assured stakeholders that it remains fully committed to working hand-in-hand with relevant agencies and the trading community to streamline procedures and ensure Nigeria’s trade processes are among the most responsive in the region.
