By Amina Ojelabi
The National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has delivered a major relief to freight forwarders following successful negotiations with the Nigeria Customs Service over proposed increases in licence renewal and new licence fees.
Speaking at the meeting, the ANLCA National President Emenike Nwokeoji disclosed that although Customs had proposed an upward review of licensing fees, the association engaged the authorities and reached a consensus to maintain the existing charges.
“As we all are aware, not long ago Customs came up with a proposal to increase our licence renewal and new licence fees. I don’t want to bore you, but by the grace of God, we were able to reach a common ground with them. They allowed us to continue to renew our licence at the old fee. They said the status quo should remain,” he stated.
The development was widely viewed as a significant achievement under the administration’s “Restoration” mantra, three years after its election campaign promise to stabilise and strengthen the association’s influence in policy matters.
The NEC meeting drew an array of prominent industry figures, including ANLCA President Emeritus, Prince Olayiwola Shittu; former Acting President, Dr Kayode Farinto; Board Chairman, Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha; Vice President, Prince Segun Oduntan; NECOM members; chapter chairmen; and members of the Board of Trustees.
In a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Customs Consultative Committee (CCC) Aare Hakeem Olanrewaju described the gathering as a defining moment for the freight forwarding profession.
Addressing ANLCA leadership and members, he commended the association for inaugurating its Anniversary Celebration and Constitution Review Committees, noting that the initiative went beyond routine administration.
“You are not merely setting up structures; you are shaping institutional direction,” he said, while urging practitioners to embrace what he termed a “professional awakening.”
He stressed that the industry must pursue unity, consolidation and regulatory independence to remain competitive in an era shaped by automation and continental trade reforms.
The CCC Chairman also highlighted the rapidly evolving operational landscape driven by digital reforms, including the Customs B’Odogwu system, the One Stop Shop initiative, the Nigerian Ports Authority Port Community System, and the forthcoming National Single Window.
He urged freight forwarders to respond with unified technical engagement, stronger digital literacy and coordinated representation to ensure improved system efficiency.
“Technology is not our threat unpreparedness is,” he declared.
World Swift News reports that the NEC meeting not only consolidated ANLCA’s negotiating strength on licensing fees but also set the tone for broader industry reforms amid ongoing digital transformation and regional trade integration.
Leave a Reply