By Femi Anamelechi
The Murtala Mohammed Area Commend ( MMAC) of Nigeria Custom Service has achieved a breakthrough by announcing its first successful 24-hour cargo clearance operations with user of the indigenous B’Odogwu platform.The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Michael Awe, announced the breakthrough on Monday, 19 May 2025, and pointed out the speed and efficiency of the new system. “Today in MMAC here, B’Odogwu has come to stay. Examination conducted today, accessed and payment dropped and finally released. Everything within 24hrs.” The Comptroller noted that the platform, which has already been tested in other commands such as the Port & Terminal Multiservice Limited (PTML), offers seamless integration for stakeholders, reduces delays, and promotes economic growth through technological advancement and modernisation.
According to him:“The benefit of this is unquantifiable. Issue of network will be a thing of the past and it’s what we have been facing with the previous system. So, I congratulate the MMAC stakeholders and all our business partners.” Comptroller Awe confirmed the platform’s adaptability, stating that its local development allows for prompt troubleshooting and system upgrades.He urged all stakeholders to collaborate and take full advantage of the system’s capabilities. Mr. Yusuf Oyediran,who was the first cargo clearing Agent to adopt the robust B’Odogwu expressed delight over the system’s efficiency.“Today, I am so delighted to make my company proud. We’ve received immense support from the Nigeria Customs, from the formative stage to execution. The entire procedure, from assessment to payment and final release, took less than five hours. I believe this is a significant milestone for both Customs and the country”, Yusuf said.
The Chairman of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), MMAC chapter, Bola Balogun, described the B’Odogwu platform as a testament to Nigeria’s technological growth in customs administration.The ANLCA chairman assured of the Associations continued support and cooperation of sll clearing agents to ensure the platform’s long-term success.
