Nigeria Customs deepens collaboration with Access Bank to advance B’odogwu

By Matthew DenisFollowing the successful rollout of its Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), codenamed B’odogwu, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has ramped up strategic consultations with key industry players to consolidate progress and push towards full integration of the new digital platform across the trade and financial ecosystems.In a recent virtual session, NCS officials engaged representatives of Access Bank in a bid to align operational structures and reinforce mutual cooperation to support both trade facilitation and financial system integration.The meeting was led by Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT and Modernisation, Kikelomo Adeola.

She was joined by the Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, and Assistant Comptroller Bukola Omoniyi from the ICT/Modernisation Department.Discussions centred on building a stronger working relationship between Customs and the financial sector, with particular focus on improving the efficiency of payment channels, advancing data interoperability, and enabling real-time processing of trade-related transactions via the B’odogwu platform.DCG Adeola restated the Service’s resolve to ensure seamless collaboration with stakeholders during this crucial post-deployment phase of the new system.



“The introduction of B’odogwu signals a significant shift in how we administer Customs operations,” she remarked. “Our immediate goal is to solidify partnerships with financial institutions like Access Bank so we can fully activate the platform’s capabilities in automation, transparency and the overall improvement of trade procedures.”She further explained that B’odogwu, developed entirely in Nigeria, has already begun transforming customs processes by standardising operational workflows, automating declaration submissions and offering real-time oversight of transactions.

“For B’odogwu to function at its highest potential, every stakeholder in the trade value chain must be actively onboarded. This collaboration with Access Bank is both timely and essential,” she said.Representing Access Bank, Olatunbosun Oladunke, the Head of Global Trade, applauded the NCS for its visionary approach to digital reform, pledging the bank’s full cooperation.

“The B’odogwu initiative marks a decisive move towards fully digital trade processing,” Oladunke said. “At Access Bank, we are fully aligned with this vision and are working to ensure technical compatibility—particularly in areas like trade finance and automated payment solutions.”Also present at the meeting was Olakunle Aderinokun, Head of Media and Public Relations at Access Holdings/Access Bank.

He underlined the need for robust engagement with both stakeholders and the wider public.“Stakeholder involvement and public understanding are vital to the success of reforms of this magnitude. We intend to work closely with the Customs Service to raise awareness around B’odogwu and to communicate its advantages to businesses and traders alike,” Aderinokun said.

The virtual engagement forms part of the NCS’s broader modernisation strategy, which includes strengthening public-private partnerships, fostering transparency, and encouraging ongoing innovation.Now operational, B’odogwu positions the Nigeria Customs Service to realise its ambition of a fully digitised, interconnected, and globally compliant customs framework that supports the nation’s long-term economic goals.The post Nigeria Customs deepens collaboration with Access Bank to advance B’odogwu appeared first on Nigerian NewsDirect.

.