Nigeria customs engages stakeholders on B’ Odogwu clearance system, may reinstate 4% FOB levy
Nigeria Customs Service Engages Stakeholders On B’Odogwu Clearance System, may reinstate 4% FOB Levy
By Babatunde Aremu
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday held a pivotal Town Hall Meeting with stakeholders in Lagos unveiling fresh insights into the ongoing deployment of its indigenous trade platform, B’Odogwu Clearance System, while also signaling the likely reintroduction of the suspended 4% Free-On-Board (FOB) levy on imports.
The meeting brought together importers, freight forwarders, shipping lines, terminal operators, financial institutions, and other critical trade actors to discuss reforms aimed at improving trade compliance, clearance efficiency, and technological modernization.
The NCS is deploying the B’Odogwu platform to improve trade compliance, clearance efficiency, and technological modernization. The system has shown significant potential in improving cargo visibility, clearance speed, and revenue generation. The platform is expected to enhance Nigeria’s global leadership in customs operations.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed that the Customs Service is strongly considering reinstating the 4% FOB levy, which was introduced in February 2025 but later suspended due to public backlash. The levy is expected to fund the Service’s modernization and digital transformation plans, with a significant financial investment required for the transition from NICIS II to the B’Odogwu platform.
The NCS assured stakeholders that the 4% FOB levy would replace the existing 1% Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS) fee, without imposing additional burdens on importers. The Service emphasized that the levy is essential for operational efficiency and technological advancements.
