NAGAFF seeks partnership with Customs for enhanced cargo clearance; lauds Comptroller Olo mu for exceptional performance. 

 

 

Hope Ejairu

 

 

 

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has commended the Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, for the successes recorded since he assumed office.

 

The founder of NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, who gave the commendation when he hosted Comptroller Olomu and his delegation at the Association’s premises in Apapa on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, emphasised the importance of compliance in cargo clearance and seamless port operations.

 

Olomu’s delegation included DC Adeniyi of APM Terminals; Acting DC in charge of the Command’s Revenue, Assistant Comptroller Mikko; Team Leader of Customs Intelligence, Assistant Comptroller Adamu; former PRO of the Command, Assistant Comptroller Usman; and the current PRO, Superintendent of Customs Tunde Ayagbalo.

 

Speaking during his address, Dr. Aniebonam stated: “Any officer in your command that tends to act on the contrary is not your friend. And for us those who come to transact business with customs, anybody who wants to see himself as a friend of customs should be compliant. When you are compliant, that is the way you can support. So, we don’t get to the level that we are quarrelling and fighting every day, there is no need for that.

 

“The routine now is destination inspection. Destination inspection means customs examination and that regime went further to say make declaration by yourself, access yourself. And so, if you have been given the opportunity to access yourself, why do you now do to the contrary? Customs gives you documents to declare what you have and you have telephone, you turn around and say you have shovel, and when Customs raises the bar, you start making noise.”

 

According to him, nobody can intimidate the government in the course of doing business, advising, “don’t make that mistake and the way to go is to be honest.”

 

He urged the freight forwarders to take time to study the Customs law, explaining that it pertains to revenue. “The government do not take anything revenue lightly. As a matter of fact, in some countries, if you commit any offence against revenue, some are even capital punishment. So, we don’t need to be quarrelling or fighting, there’s no need for it.

 

“And you should understand that we are acting on behalf of our principals, taking the drivers’ sit. What’s left is for us to do what we ought to. Any other thing you see from B’Odogwu and others are instrument of trade facilitation. The original thing is say what you have and it is left for Customs to say you are correct or not correct, it doesn’t take us anything.”

 

Aniebonam sought Comptroller Olomu’s assistance in providing technical officers from Customs to train members of the NAGAFF academy, acknowledging that the Command is full of intelligent officers.

 

“You have great minds in your command. That is what God has given you and up to the management level, you can boast of people that are there and I guess that is the reason for these improvements.

 

“We want you to give us somebody, we’ll tell our members, any of them that has problems should go to that person and the person will take the matter up. We are very proud of you and your management team, keep it up, we will continue to do our best,” he said.

 

He encouraged operators at the Apapa Port Command, stating that it is a good place to do business, while urging NAGAFF members to resolve their problems internally.

 

“When you have an issue, learn to solve it internally. If you go outside and make noise, you irritate them, you wake the sleeping dog. When you have problem, quietly go and solve your problem.”

 

The founder also advised the operators not to get involved in the non-examination of containers, describing it as “the worst thing you can do to yourself” as a non-importer.

 

“If you do that, the consequences are severe,” he warned. “If it involves traded goods and you are caught, supposing there are arms in the cargo, what do you do?” he asked, citing an instance where a pistol was found in a cargo that was to be cleared by an individual who wasn’t aware.

 

He disclosed that the consignee was arrested while the original owner of the container fled.

 

“Please, help the system, yourself and the Command and safe you go. But what I will assure you people is that NAGAFF has direct access to the management team of Customs. Do the right thing,” he added.

 

Earlier in his opening remarks, the National President of NAGAFF, Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, acknowledged that Comptroller Olomu’s visit was both an honour and an opportunity for collaboration.

 

“This meeting is not merely ceremonial, it represents our mutual goal of transforming Nigeria’s cargo clearance system into a more secured, transparent and efficient process. We believe that collaboration with the regulators and practitioners is essential for steering a driving port environment.

 

“At NAGAFF, we are dedicated to responsible advocacy and constructive dialogue. We are prepared to support reforms that enhance the ease of doing business, protect national interest and elevate our ports to meet the global standard. Let this visit signify a renewed commitment to trust, action and progress,” Chief Ezisi remarked.

 

On his part, Comptroller Olomu noted that the visit was aimed at fostering industrial harmony within the Apapa Area Command.

 

‘This visit is in furtherance of the CGC’s thrust for robust stakeholder engagement and building on the longstanding bond between the Nigeria Customs Service and NAGAFF.

 

“We are all aware that the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi recently emerged as the Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO).Council. This is a very positive and encouraging development for Nigeria in the global customs community and it comes with great responsibility.

 

“It signpost as a credible customs administration and you know we can’t clap with one hand. As a credible customs administration, it means we have the backing and support of a very credible freight forwarders association. The Nigeria Customs Service, with critical stakeholders like you, have collective responsibility to uphold our tenets of compliance, due diligence and application of global best practices in everything we do,” he said.

 

The Apapa Customs boss urged NAGAFF to continue supporting the NCS by “making very sincere declaration. Let’s avoid operating in defiant to our import and export guidelines and ensure payment of duties as required by law.”

 

He affirmed that NAGAFF has a history of professionalism, reliance and commitment, recalling that as a very young officer, when the organisation started about 25 years ago, Dr. Anebiohiam conceptualise NAGAFF as a body ushering in sustainable freight forwarding in Nigeria.

 

“I am very happy to attest that NAGAFF has kept the dream alive and it’s fast growing because this organisation open greater opportunities for younger persons with knowledge on freight forwarding and was at the fore in expanding the discourse for and about the profession in Nigeria. As customs officers, we are part of the total logistics ecosystem with freight forwarders where cargoes move seamlessly from port of origin to port of destination before exit and you continue to water, warehouse or market.

 

“There are no doubts that we are partners in progress and we need each other to succeed in our collective mission of building a greater Nigeria through our economic activities at the seaports, airports, other stations and excise factories. I sincerely appreciate your support and contributions towards the Apapa Area Command.”

 

Speaking further, he recalled that the Apapa Customs won the Best Command, Best in Revenue and Trade Facilitation Awards in 2024.

 

“This wouldn’t have been possible without the support we received from NAGAFF,” he said, revealing that the Command generated ₦1.3 trillion in revenue in the first half of 2025.

 

Olomu expressed gratitude to Dr. Aniebonam for his support of CGC Adeniyi’s vision agenda.”As you know, B’Odogwu is a work in progress and your members’ participation in the various training session is noted as part of our building blocks for homegrown and customs modernisation in Nigeria.

 

“The NAGAFF Academy, where you have been training freight forwarders’ professional is a loud statement, it speaks to the volume you place to the value you place on capacity building. You are an organisation that thinks ahead, strategic and we respect you for that, your drive for capacity building is second to none among your peers. As you all know, our doors are open for regular engagement because we still have a lot to do for our beloved country, Nigeria. With most of you, our personal relationship transcends office hours, so we must look out for ourselves at all times.”

 

He urged the freight forwarders to prioritise their health and imbibe a routine of work-life balance, saying, “Don’t be too one-sided about life, like working and pursuing money more than your health. Let’s endeavour to do medical check-ups routinely to guide against high blood pressure, hypertension, diabetes, stroke and other avoidable or manageable illnesses.

 

“At a work-free time, we can also incorporate exercises and structured nutrition to manage our health and well-being. Incase you don’t know, we have a clinic onsite at the Command, it is open to officers as well as all stakeholders.”

 

The Comptroller also encouraged them to take maximum advantage of this medical facility within their work area, operated by “very competent professionals, available to you at very affordable cost.”

 

He disclosed that CGC Adeniyi recently stocked the health unit, stressing that “we have a lot of drugs which can be dispensed upon request.”

 

“While at work discussing revenue, container examinations, exits, and others, give attention to your health too and check your blood pressure,” Olomu reiterated.

 

He added: “The warm reception you accorded me when I resumed, which you have also sustained up to this minute, is a motivation and encouragement I will never take for granted. I feel at home in your midst and request that the great strides we achieved in the first half of 2025 be redoubled in the second half of the year.”