By Derin Adeogun
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime and trade sectors have called for greater professionalism, digital transformation and stronger cooperation among industry players as the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) celebrated its 72nd anniversary in Lagos.
The anniversary ceremony, held on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at the Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, brought together government officials, customs authorities, terminal operators, business leaders, freight forwarding practitioners, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the maritime sector.
The event, which was themed , “ANLCA @72 Celebrating a Legacy of Professionalism, Advancing Trade Facilitation and Shaping the Future of Customs Brokerage” provided an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on the association’s 72-year journey and discuss the future of customs brokerage in Nigeria.
Improved cargo service
Much of the discussion centred on improving the movement of cargo through Nigerian ports, reducing delays and making the country’s trading environment more efficient.
Stakeholders also stressed the need for customs agents to embrace technology, digital processes, data-driven trade and the National Single Window as the maritime industry continues to change.
They noted that licensed customs agents remain important to the movement of goods in and out of the country, as they help importers and exporters navigate customs procedures and other regulatory requirements.
Sanwoolu’s speech
However, concerns were also raised over port congestion, cargo examination, poor access roads, truck movement, storage charges, demurrage, multiple regulatory processes and other issues that continue to increase the cost of doing business.
Representing the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, described ANLCA’s 72 years of existence as a significant achievement.
Sanwo-Olu recalled that the association was established in 1954, six years before Nigeria gained independence.
He noted that although Nigeria’s economy and international trade system had changed considerably over the years, ANLCA had remained an important part of the country’s Customs and maritime system.
According to him, licensed customs agents play an important role in helping businesses move goods through the country’s ports, airports and land borders.
“When that work is done professionally and transparently, it helps businesses move faster, protects government revenue and gives traders greater confidence,” he said.
The governor said efficient trade facilitation was particularly important to Lagos because the state remains home to major gateways into the Nigerian economy.
He explained that delays at the ports affect more than the maritime sector, as they can increase the cost of goods, affect businesses and slow down economic activities.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also pointed to the Lekki Deep Sea Port and other developments in the state’s maritime sector, saying Lagos was preparing for increased trade and stronger connections with the wider African market.
He commended the efforts of ANLCA and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) towards addressing congestion around the Apapa and Tin Can Island port corridors.
According to him, port congestion should not be seen only as a transportation problem because it also increases the cost of doing business and delays the movement of cargo.
The governor also praised ANLCA for its empowerment programmes and support for members who had contributed to the association over the years.
He urged the association to continue to uphold integrity and professionalism while preparing younger members for the growing use of technology in international trade.
Sanwo-Olu assured stakeholders that the Lagos State Government would continue to support policies and initiatives that promote legitimate businesses, attract investment and strengthen economic growth.
Chairperson’s speech
The Chairperson of the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) and Executive Vice Chairman of ENL Consortium, Olori Vicky Haastrup, described ANLCA as an important partner to terminal operators.
She said customs agents play a major role in facilitating trade across Nigeria’s ports and other trade corridors.
“Without ANLCA, we cannot function. Whether seaport, airport, wherever you have any ports, you are very key to our trade facilitation,” she said.
Olori Haastrup congratulated ANLCA National President, Mr Emenike Kingsley Nwokeoji, and the association’s National Executive for sustaining the organisation over the years.
She said the efficient operation of Nigerian ports requires cooperation among customs agents, terminal operators, government agencies and other players in the supply chain.
“For this reason, we regard ANLCA and its members as our partners in progress. We have enjoyed tremendous support and understanding from ANLCA,” she said.
She also called for greater transparency, compliance and the use of technology to reduce unnecessary delays in the maritime sector.
Nigeria Revenue Service
Representing the Chairman of the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS), Dr Zacch Adedeji, the Director of the National Single Window (NSW) Project, Tola Fakolade, spoke on the changes that have taken place in Nigeria’s Customs and trade processes over the years.
Mr Fakolade said ANLCA members had continued to adapt as the industry moved from manual procedures to computerised systems and, more recently, towards integrated platforms and data-driven risk management.
He said members had also had to learn new systems, train their staff and assist their clients in understanding changes in Customs procedures.
“That capacity to change is the real secret of your longevity,” he said.
Fakolade described trade as an important part of Nigeria’s economy, noting that it provides raw materials for industries, machinery for businesses and goods for consumers, while also creating opportunities for Nigerian products to reach international markets.
He added that efficient trade also supports government revenue through Customs duties and other related charges.
“When trade flows smoothly and honestly, the country is stronger,” he said.
He noted that customs agents contribute to this process through activities such as preparing declarations, classifying goods, applying appropriate tariff rates and helping traders comply with regulatory requirements.
The Chairman of the occasion and former ANLCA President, Chief Peter Okocha, reflected on his experience in the clearing and forwarding business.
Mr Okocha said clearing and forwarding remained a profession he was proud of, recalling that his career started in the sector before he later ventured into other areas of business, including the acquisition of African Petroleum (AP).
He suggested that ANLCA could consider whether its name should reflect changes in some government institutions, citing the recent transition from the Federal Inland Revenue Service to the Nigerian Revenue Service.
Okocha also urged ANLCA members to continue making government agencies aware of the important role customs agents play in Nigeria’s port operations.
Earlier in his address, the ANLCA President, Mr Emenike Kingsley Nwokeoji, said Nigeria could not become a major global trading hub if the cost of moving cargo through its ports remained high.
He identified port congestion, cargo examination, poor access roads, truck movement, storage, demurrage, detention, multiple regulatory interventions and other fragmented processes as some of the challenges facing the sector.
“We must confront the persistent challenges of congestion, cargo examination, access roads, truck movement, storage, demurrage, detention, multiple regulatory interventions, and fragmented processes.
“Every unnecessary hour that a container spends in the port represents an additional cost. Ultimately, the Nigerian consumers bear that cost,” he said.
Mr Nwokeoji called for a coordinated approach to port reforms, saying all agencies, terminal operators and service providers should work towards improving the speed, transparency and efficiency of cargo movement.
“The port should serve as a gateway to economic prosperity, not a bottleneck to economic growth,” he said.
The ANLCA president also welcomed the National Single Window initiative, describing it as an important opportunity to improve Nigeria’s international trade system.
He, however, said the success of the initiative would depend on whether it actually reduced the difficulties faced by traders and customs agents.
Nwokeoji called for less paperwork, the removal of duplicate processes, greater transparency, reduced human intervention and lower costs for businesses.
He also urged the government to involve frontline stakeholders in the implementation of the National Single Window, noting that those who work with the system regularly understand the challenges that may arise.
He said ANLCA remained committed to supporting efforts aimed at improving Nigeria’s business environment, increasing revenue, promoting non-oil exports, strengthening border security and modernising trade processes.
The Chairman of the ANLCA Board of Trustees, Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha, said the association must continue to evolve if it is to remain relevant in the years ahead.
Mustapha acknowledged that ANLCA had experienced several changes over the years, including changes in Customs procedures, technological developments, global economic challenges and periods of internal disagreement.
He said the association must now prepare for a new era.
“ANLCA of the next five, 10 and 20 years cannot operate exactly as ANLCA of the past seven decades. We must become professional, more digital, more knowledge/data-driven, and more compliant, so we could be globally competitive,” Mustapha said.
He called for a stronger voice for ANLCA in national trade and fiscal policy discussions.
Mr Mustapha also urged members to focus on continuous training, research, digital Customs systems and data-driven trade facilitation.
Speaking on emerging technology, he warned that Artificial Intelligence was already changing the way businesses operate across the world.
“Artificial Intelligence is no longer news. Not just coming. It is real, it is here. And the world will not wait for us,” he said.
He also called for stronger cooperation between ANLCA, the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Ports Authority, government agencies, terminal operators, shipping companies, exporters and other stakeholders in the maritime and logistics chain.
The President of Women in Maritime of West and Central Africa Nigeria (WIMOWCA), Mrs Oritsematosan Edodo-Emore, in her goodwill message, stressed the importance of professionalism, compliance and effective regulation in freight forwarding.
She said women should have greater opportunities to contribute to the development of the maritime industry and the wider blue economy.
Mrs Emore urged ANLCA and other stakeholders to create more opportunities for mentorship, training and leadership development for women and young professionals in freight forwarding and the maritime sector.
She also encouraged greater participation of women in the growth of the industry.
The Vice President of ANLCA and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Prince Segun Oduntan, called for unity among members of the association.
He said ANLCA belonged to all its members and stakeholders and urged them to continue supporting initiatives aimed at protecting members’ interests, improving their skills and strengthening the profession.
“As we celebrate today, let us continue to be one family always, let us continue to work together for peace, professionalism and progress of ANLCA and the maritime industry,” he said.
A major highlight of the anniversary was the presentation of awards to individuals who have contributed to the growth of ANLCA and Nigeria’s maritime industry.
Those honoured included retired Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Dera Nnadi, mni; Olori Vicky Haastrup; and former ANLCA President, Chief Ernest Elochukwu, among others.
The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mojisola Meranda; Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, represented by the Tin Can Island Area Controller, Comptroller Joseph Anani; former ANLCA President, Prince Olayiwola Shittu; members of the ANLCA Board; Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Kingsley Igwe; former ANLCA Vice President, Dr Kayode Farinto; former Sole Administrator, Otunba Babatunde Mukaila; royal fathers and other stakeholders.
The event also featured entertainment from the master of ceremonies, Joyce Daniels, comedian Klint de Drunk and cultural dance groups, who entertained guests during the celebration.
