.Hosts Apapa Customs Area Controller, CAC Babatunde Olomu
.As Olomu Reveals that Command Generates N1.378 Trillion Revenue in Six Months
.Urges NAGAFF Members to Adopt Work- Life Balance Style of NCS
ZAINAB JUNAID
The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has on Tuesday, 1 July 2025, backed the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in its call for full Compliance and honest declaration of goods by freight Forwarders at Nigerian Ports.
L-R: Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu; DC G Adeniyi; Acting DC Revenue-Assistant Comptroller Miko, during the visit to NAGAFF Headquarters at Maybin, Apapa Lagos on Tuesday.
The Founder of the association, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, made the call while hosting the Customs Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Apapa Port Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu at the association’s Headquarters in Maybin, Apapa, Lagos.
L-R: Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu; Deputy Comptroller G Adeniyi; Acting DC Revenue-Assistant Comptroller Miko, Team Lead Customs Intelligence Unit, Assistant Comptroller Adamu, Former Public Relations Officer of the Command, Assistant Comptroller Usman Abubakar, during the visit to NAGAFF Headquarters at Maybin on Tuesday.
Dr. Aniebonam appreciated the existing relationship between the two parties and enjoined his members to embrace honest declaration and be compliant.
NAGAFF Founder, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam
He said, “Anybody that want to see himself as a Freight Forwarder should be compliant. The new regime now is destination inspection, which means Customs examination, make declaration by yourself, assess yourself and do not do contrary. They said you should declare what you have, and you have a good but turn around to present another thing that’s not right, the way to go is to be honest. Anytime you read the Customs law, you will see it has to do with revenue and government will not take anything revenue lightly. It does not take us anything to do the right thing.
“When you do the right thing, you help the system and also safe yourself and the Country,” he advised.
R-L: Founder, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, National President, NAGAFF High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, Vice President Seaports Princess Chi Eze at NAGAFF Headquarters on Tuesday.
In his speech, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu PhD, emphasised that the visit to NAGAFF Headquarters is aimed at fostering industrial harmony within Apapa Area Port and aligns with the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi MFR’s thrust for robust stakeholders, engagement and building on the existing relationship between NAGAFF and NCS.
Comptroller Olomu urged NAGAFF members to be patriotic and compliance with their trade declarations.
Customs Area Comptroller Babatunde Olomu
The Area Controller, who was enthused with the warm reception offered by the association’s members and management during his visit, sought their support to uphold the tenets of compliance, diligence and application of global best practices.
In his words, “I will enjoin you to continue to support NCS as always by making sincere trade declaration. Let’s ensure payment of duties as required by law. NAGAFF has a history of professionalism, commitment and Resilience.
“We need each other to succeed in our collective vision to building a greater Nigeria through our economic activity at Seaports, Border stations, Airports and Excise Factories,” he said.
Comptroller Olomu further disclosed that Apapa Port Command has successfully raked in one trillion, three hundred and Seventy eight billion (N1.378 trillion) revenue in the first half of the year 2025.
He attributed the revenue success to the support received from freight forwarders, adding that the volume of trade the agents attracted and assisted in processing helped facilitate the success.
Comptroller Olomu equally appreciated them for their support to the CGC’s working agenda and reiterated that his Command would continue to maintain an open door policy as there is much to achieve together for the Country as a whole.
“I will also urge you to adopt the work-life-balance style of the Service by undergoing medical routine checks and prioritising your health and wellbeing. Our Command clinic is open to all. The CGC has just equipped it with necessary facilities. Please give attention to your health too,” he maintained.
On his part, the National President of the Association, High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, noted that the visit reflects the mutual goals of transforming Nigeria Cargo clearance system into a more transparent, efficient, and secure process.
“We believe collaboration with the regulators and practitioners is essential for fostering a conducive environment. At NAGAFF, we are dedicated responsible advocacy and constructive dialogue. We are prepared to support reforms and enhance ease of doing business to protect national interests and make our ports meet the global standards,” he stressed.
While fielding questions from journalists after the CAC’s visit, the National President reaffirmed that the association has continued to support Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) by championing compliance among freight forwarders through capacity building which will be sustained for enhanced development
Freight Forwarders present at the brief also aired their view on the challenges encountered in clearing their goods at Apapa Port Command, and the Area Controller, his team addressed the issues amicably.
The visit signifies a new commitment to trust, actions and progress.
