Customs Commences Pilot Processing of Form M via New Unified System
By Patience Ikpeme
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has officially begun the pilot phase for processing Form M through its newly implemented B’Odogwu (Unified Customs Management System) across all Commands of the Service, the agency announced on Monday.
This initiative marks a significant step forward in the Service’s ongoing technology-driven reforms aimed at modernizing trade procedures and improving overall operational efficiency, according to a statement issued by NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada.
Following the Service’s approval to integrate the crucial Form M process into the B’Odogwu Trade Portal, preparatory activities were initiated across three strategically selected Customs Commands: Port and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML), Tin Can Island Port, and Apapa Area Command.
These locations were chosen to facilitate the pilot phase within a controlled and strategic environment, allowing for thorough monitoring, active stakeholder engagement, and comprehensive performance assessment.
During this initial testing period, a total of 544 Form M entries underwent processing within the B’Odogwu system. Of these, 283 were successfully registered onto the platform, 10 were validated for further processing, and 26 were securely stored for subsequent action. Additionally, 41 entries were formally submitted through the system, while 120 were returned to users for necessary corrections.
The system also generated 11 queries for specific entries, locked the Pre-Arrival Assessment Reports (PAARs) for 14 entries, and recommended 39 entries for final approval. These figures illustrate the rigorous testing and iterative learning taking place across all participating commands.
Furthermore, the pilot processing of Forms M resulted in the generation of a total of 37 Pre-Arrival Assessment Reports (PAARs) directly from the B’Odogwu system. Of these generated PAARs, 7 were successfully registered within the system, and the Single Goods Declarations (SGDs) for 12 were processed.
Two PAARs reached full approval status, while 8 were recommended for more detailed review. An additional 4 PAARs were submitted for further processing, and 4 were flagged with queries. This outcome confirms the operational capability of the B’Odogwu system to effectively support end-to-end trade documentation throughout live implementation.
The Customs Service stated, “The successful implementation of the Form M pilot on the B’Odogwu platform signals the beginning of a nationwide transition that will streamline customs documentation, enhance transparency, and promote faster clearance timelines. Consequently, to enhance trade facilitation and supply chain security in the ongoing pilot phase, NCS encourages all carriers (shipping lines and airlines) to commence transmission of manifests to the B’dogwu platform while ensuring that all key stakeholders, particularly the financial institutions and traders, are adequately engaged and prepared for full deployment.”
