The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has issued a formal clarification regarding the operation of its digital clearance infrastructure, stating unequivocally that the B’Odogwu platform does not generate, modify, or manipulate foreign exchange rates used in cargo valuation.
The clarification follows public commentary and speculation over exchange rate figures reportedly associated with customs processing in early February 2026.
According to the Service, the rates applied within its system are strictly those officially transmitted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which remains the sole statutory authority responsible for exchange rate determination under Nigeria’s monetary framework.
B’Odogwu platform does not alter exchange rates, Customs insists
In a detailed statement, National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, explained that the B’Odogwu platform, formally known as the Unified Customs Management System, functions solely as a digital processing infrastructure.
It receives, integrates and applies exchange rates electronically transmitted by the CBN without any human or institutional interference from Customs.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Service does not independently determine, generate, alter, or apply margins to foreign exchange rates used for import and export valuation,” Maiwada stated.
The B’Odogwu platform, he added, operates on structured data integration protocols. Where technical adjustments occur—such as changes in transmission formats—the system is programmed to retain the last valid CBN-provided rate until an updated feed is successfully processed.
This safeguard, according to the Service, ensures continuity, valuation integrity, and audit transparency.
Addressing the N1,451.63 controversy
The clarification became necessary after a reported exchange rate of N1,451.63/US$ circulated in connection with customs processing on February 6, 2026.
The NCS firmly denied that the figure originated from the B’Odogwu platform.
Instead, officials said the number was sourced from a legacy public trade information portal that does not reflect live customs clearance data.
The Service also noted that the National Integrated Customs Information System is not recognised for real-time customs valuation.
For accuracy, the NCS disclosed that the exchange rate officially applied for customs valuation on February 6, 2026, was N1,365.56/US$, as transmitted by the CBN and automatically integrated into the B’Odogwu platform.
Subsequent rates, Maiwada maintained, have similarly reflected official CBN transmissions, reinforcing the system’s automated and standardised nature across all Customs formations nationwide.
Digital architecture and API integration
The NCS further revealed that it is collaborating with the CBN to implement Application Programming Interface (API)-based integration. This enhancement is expected to strengthen real-time data transmission, improve operational reliability, and bolster system resilience.
Industry analysts note that API-based connectivity reduces latency, eliminates manual uploads, and enhances audit trails—key components of modern customs administration.
By automating exchange rate ingestion directly from the CBN’s infrastructure, the B’Odogwu platform minimises the risk of discrepancies and aligns customs valuation practices with international standards.
Transparency and investor confidence
Exchange rate application in customs valuation is a critical variable in Nigeria’s trade environment. Import duties and export valuations are calculated based on official forex rates, meaning even marginal differences can significantly affect landed costs, revenue projections, and pricing structures.
The NCS acknowledged the importance of informed public discourse, particularly amid broader debates about foreign exchange pricing and investor behaviour.
According to the Service, clarity on how rates are applied is essential to preserving predictability and maintaining confidence among licensed customs agents, freight forwarders, and international trading partners.
By reiterating that the B’Odogwu platform does not alter exchange rates, the NCS aims to dispel concerns that customs authorities may be influencing monetary variables beyond their statutory mandate.
Statutory compliance and global benchmarks
Under Nigeria’s fiscal architecture, customs valuation must comply with national monetary directives and international best practices, including World Trade Organization (WTO) valuation agreements.
The automated integration of CBN rates into the B’Odogwu platform ensures that customs operations remain aligned with statutory provisions and global compliance benchmarks.
Maiwada emphasised that the digital system is the sole authoritative platform for customs declarations, clearance, and valuation. All exchange rates applied within the system are uniformly implemented across ports, airports, and border formations.
This standardisation is particularly relevant in a trade ecosystem historically challenged by inconsistencies and fragmented data systems. By centralising clearance operations under the B’Odogwu platform, the NCS seeks to enhance accountability and eliminate discretionary adjustments.
Broader trade facilitation goals
Beyond exchange rate clarification, the NCS reiterated its commitment to trade facilitation and revenue integrity. Efficient customs administration plays a pivotal role in Nigeria’s economic stability, particularly in a period marked by exchange rate volatility and fiscal reforms.
Stakeholders argue that digitalisation—when effectively implemented—can reduce clearance delays, minimise disputes, and improve revenue predictability. However, sustained success depends on transparent communication and consistent system governance.
The Service concluded its statement by assuring the trading public that customs clearance processes remain accurate, predictable, and compliant with national monetary policy directives. It pledged continued system enhancement to support Nigeria’s economic growth objectives.
A system under scrutiny
While the NCS maintains that the B’Odogwu platform does not alter exchange rates, the episode underscores heightened sensitivity around foreign exchange management in Nigeria’s trade ecosystem.
As importers, exporters, and investors navigate a dynamic macroeconomic environment, clarity in regulatory processes becomes indispensable.
For now, Customs authorities insist that exchange rate determination lies exclusively within the purview of the CBN, and that the B’Odogwu platform functions strictly as a digital conduit—applying, not creating, monetary values.
