Nigerian Shipping Agent Loses ₦20m to Customs’ Calls for Transparency Stakeholder Consultation
Nigerian Shipping Agent Loses ₦20m to Customs’ Calls for Transparency Stakeholder Consultation
For Nze Chidiogo Okpara, the past few months have been some of the most difficult in his career as a shipping agent. The Chairman of Chidosky Marine Concept says he lost more than ₦20 million during the Nigeria Customs Service’s migration from the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS II) to the new B’Odogwu platform.
Speaking at the CONMMEP Monthly Roundtable Discussion in Surulere, Lagos, Okpara shared how the transition disrupted businesses, increased costs, and left clearing agents stranded for days.
“We lost not less than three months during the migration, and it was a big loss. Personally, I lost over ₦20m to B’Odogwu because of the teething challenges, the delays caused by downtime, and the payment of demurrage,” he said.
According to Okpara, the B’Odogwu system initially operated at only 30–40% capacity. Agents often had to work late into the night because the platform rarely functioned in the afternoons.
“Imagine a transaction that used to take one minute now dragging for two hours,” he lamented.
Documentation was another stumbling block. Clearing items that involved more than 20 goods on a single form became a nightmare. For many agents, what was once a smooth process turned into a test of patience.
The financial burden of these inefficiencies has fallen heavily on importers. Okpara revealed that clearing a 40-foot container now costs up to ₦16 million. To worsen matters, Customs had at one point introduced a surprise 4% charge overnight—without consulting stakeholders. Although it was later suspended, the move rattled confidence in the system.
“Government must involve stakeholders before announcing such sensitive changes,” Okpara insisted.
While acknowledging that Customs continues to record strong revenue collections daily, Okpara said corruption remains a persistent challenge at Nigeria’s ports.
“Corruption is everywhere, but if your hands are clean, you can survive. What we need is fairness and transparency,” he stressed.
He also emphasized the importance of training for clearing agents, noting that many lack proper documentation knowledge. Without orientation and education, he warned, new systems like B’Odogwu will always struggle at the point of implementation.
Despite the hurdles, Okpara says his business has survived thanks to trust and strong relationships with local and international clients in China, Pakistan, Lebanon, and Turkey. Beyond his own company, he has taken it upon himself to mentor younger agents, helping them establish their businesses and navigate the uncertainties of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Looking to the future, he expressed optimism that the industry could thrive globally if government reduces costs, ensures transparency, and works hand-in-hand with stakeholders.
“The government must work with us, not against us,” Okpara concluded.