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Fadahunsi calls for restructuring of NPA as he tasks FG to set N6trn revenue target for customs

Senator Fadahunsi

The eyewitness reporter

Francis Ade Fadahunsi, the Senator representing Osun East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has called for a total restructuring of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in a bid to enhance the revenue-generating capacity of the agency.

Fadahunsi, a retired Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, who was speaking in Abuja with newsmen, claimed that the NPA is not remitting adequate revenue to the Federation account, hence the need for surgical operations.

“At the moment, the Nigerian Ports Authority does not remit adequate revenue to the Federation Account. President Tinubu should restructure the NPA by putting the right people there.

However, stakeholders believed that his claim runs counter to the high level of performance of the present management of the NPA led by Mohammed Bello-Koko, whom they lauded for running an efficient and service-driven agency.

They also pointed out the homogenous sum of money the agency remits to the government coffers on an annual basis.

However, Fadahunsi, who was speaking on how the new administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu could enhance the revenue profile of government agencies without putting further hardship on Nigerians, maintained that the NPA has the capacity to generate much more than what it currently does if the right calibre of people is saddled with the running the agency.

The retired Customs chief, who was a terror to smugglers during his active service years at the Customs’ Federal Operations Unit(FOU), Zone A, Lagos, also declared that the Nigeria Customs has the capacity to generate six trillion naira revenue annually.

He said this is consequent on if the government could direct the military personnel and other armed forces high commands to halt the massive smuggling of crude oil currently going on in the country.

Fadahunsi, who was also the Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs and Excise in the 9th Senate, further alleged that some international oil companies and highly influential Nigerians were actively involved in massive crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

He said unless President Tinubu gives necessary instructions to relevant security and military agencies, the country would continue to bleed in terms of revenue leakages.

“Some International oil companies and highly influential Nigerians are behind the crude oil theft in Nigeria. It did not start today, the practice has been on for a long time.

“Unfortunately, the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited is doing nothing spectacular to stop the theft.

“Each of the affected IOCs has separate channels with which they are siphoning crude to waiting vessels on the high seas with the active connivance of the military and security operatives saddled with the responsibilities of protecting the nation’s oil assets.

“If the practice continues unchecked, Nigeria will continue to experience a shortage in its daily oil production quota.

“Some highly influential Nigerians in and outside government are also smuggling crude with smaller vessels through the Benin Republic en route Lagos.

“Many powerful Nigerians in and outside the government also operate big departmental stores selling foreign products and they failed to pay duties on their goods.

“If President Bola Tinubu could focus special attention on Customs, the country would generate enough revenue for the nation.

“The President needs the support of competent, experienced professionals in both the executive and the legislature to stop the massive revenue leakages the country is currently experiencing.”

He decried the proposed planned merger of the Federal Inland Revenue Service with the NCS and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)

“The Federal Inland Revenue Service cannot collect the customs duties. FIIRS should instead, concentrate on the informal sector particularly markets and the artisans.

“The President should give customs, a target of N6trn per annum. The service has highly trained personnel that could meet the target

“Customs alone can generate the revenues the country needs to service its debts.

“The FIRS should also be given the mandate to generate N15trn which would be used to provide basic infrastructure, equip medical institutions, and provide other social amenities.

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Anti-Corruption Group Commends FG on National Single Window Initiative

Gloria Odion,Maritime Reporter

The Media Anti-Corruption Initiatives (MACI), a leading non-governmental organization(NGO), has applauded the Federal Government’s forthcoming launch of the National Single Window (NSW), a centralized platform designed to integrate all transactions and interactions with public agencies.

In a joint press release, Captain Adamu Mishela (Chairman) and Funso Olojo (Secretary General) emphasized the significance of the NSW as a groundbreaking reform aimed at streamlining trade procedures, enhancing transparency, and strengthening integrity across the public sector.

Originally introduced nearly two years ago by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the NSW represents a major fiscal reform intended to boost Nigeria’s competitiveness on the global stage.

Captain Mishela noted that MACI believes the initiative will minimize opportunities for corrupt practices, accelerate service delivery for citizens and businesses, and restore public confidence in government institutions

MACI reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public resources, upholding the rule of law, and promoting transparency.

The organization also expressed readiness to collaborate with government agencies, private sector partners, civil society, and the wider public to ensure the NSW achieves its objectives, mitigates risks, and serves as a strong defense against corruption.

In support of the NSW project, MACI is set to hold a seminar with the theme “Tamper-Proof National Single Window” to ensure that the initiative succeeds where other reforms before it faltered.

This initiative marks a significant step toward building a more open, accountable, and citizen-focused public sector in Nigeria.

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Alake of Egbaland identifies with NANTA @50 celebration at Ibadan

Alake of Egbaland identifies with NANTA @50 celebration at Ibadan

Geraldine Samuel

The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, has assured the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) of his royal presence at the association’s Golden Jubilee celebration and Annual General Meeting scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, in April.

The revered monarch gave the assurance on Thursday, March14th, 2026 when he received members of the NANTA AGM Planning Committee, led by Mrs. Lola Adewole, at the Ake Palace in Abeokuta.

Oba Gbadebo commended the association for its resilience and unity over the past five decades, noting that sustaining a professional body for 50 years reflects commitment, strong leadership, and shared vision among its members.

He also prayed for the continued growth and impactful contributions of the association to Nigeria’s cultural tourism sector.

According to the monarch, NANTA has consistently promoted Nigerian culture and the travel trade industry, earning an exemplary status that other professional associations and groups should emulate.

The Alake further assured the delegation that he would personally attend and grace the anniversary event, adding that Egbaland and Ibadan share deep historical, cultural, and traditional ties.

Earlier, the leader of the NANTA delegation, Mrs. Lola Adewole, who was accompanied by the association’s Second National Deputy President, Dr. Tokunbo Dagunduro, and Financial Secretary, Mr. Yinka Ladipo, informed the monarch that NANTA has always promoted Nigeria’s cultural tourism offerings as a vital national asset.

She explained that the association views the country’s cultural heritage as a gold mine that must be preserved and harnessed for Nigeria’s economic and social development.

Adewole noted that the theme of the association’s 50th anniversary celebration, “Embracing Our Diverse Cultural Heritage from the City of Firsts: Redefining Our Role as Global Ambassadors,” reflects NANTA’s commitment to supporting and promoting Nigeria’s cultural tourism economy.

As part of activities ahead of the anniversary celebration, the NANTA team also visited the Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Sesan Fagbayi, to formally invite him to the Ibadan conference.

During the visit, the delegation highlighted the rich cultural heritage of Ogun State and its importance to national tourism development and economic growth.

Meanwhile, the association, through its National President, Dr. Yinka Folami, has congratulated the newly appointed Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on his appointment.

In a letter dated March 9, acknowledged by the police authorities, Folami pledged the association’s willingness to collaborate with the Nigeria Police Force in addressing fraudulent activities within the travel trade sector.

The NANTA president also formally invited the Inspector-General to the association’s elective Annual General Meeting in Ibadan in April, noting that the gathering would provide an opportunity for the police chief to interact with travel trade professionals on ways to promote a secure and globally compliant travel industry in Nigeria.

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NSW will not subsume B’Odogwu Customs trade platform — Fakolade

Gloria Odion

Tola Fakolade, the Director of Nigeria National Single Window Project has stated that the celebrated National Single Window project which first phase is due for official roll out in March,27th, 2026 is not a substitute for the Customs trade platform commonly called B’Odogwu, neither will the presidential initiative subsume the Customs platform.

Fakolade make this clarification against the rising fears that the multi- million dollar indigenous platform created by the Customs to enhance its operations and meant to replace the previous foreign – created portal, will be jettisoned at the berth of NSW.

However, he further clarified that the NSW will operate alongside the B’Odogwu Customs Management System, describing the two platforms as complementary.

“The B’Odogwu system handles core Customs processes such as valuation and risk management, while the National Single Window serves as the single-entry portal for traders to submit documents and applications for approvals,” he said.

Fakolade also declared that NSW will not replace any government agency involved in trade facilitation but will instead integrate their processes to eliminate duplication and improve efficiency.

He explained that the system is designed to ensure that once a release is issued by the Nigeria Customs Service, it would already reflect the risk assessment and compliance requirements of other port-related regulatory agencies.

According to him, key trade agencies were involved from the early stages of the project, with each nominating technical representatives who contributed to the development of the platform.

He noted that the system has already identified and addressed several duplicated processes that previously slowed cargo clearance and added no value to port operations.

Fakolade also disclosed that extensive training has been ongoing for over a month for end-users including importers, exporters, freight forwarders and officials of the Nigerian Ports Authority.

He added that training sessions are being conducted physically at designated centres that accommodate between 30 and 50 participants, while additional learning resources and explanatory videos have been made available online.

Fakolade added that when the platform goes live on March 27, 2026, initial services will include applications for import licences, certificates and permits for agencies such as Standards Organisation of Nigeria, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, as well as manifest submissions by shipping lines and airlines.

Meanwhile, Princess Chi Ezeh, Vice President (Seaports) of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), commended the committee driving the NSW Nigeria for recognising freight forwarders as critical stakeholders in the reform initiative aimed at improving trade facilitation in the country.

Ezeh noted that the decision to engage freight forwarders during the awareness and consultation stages of the project demonstrates that the implementation team understands the strategic role operators play in Nigeria’s port and logistics ecosystem.

She added that during the engagement sessions, freight forwarders were able to highlight some operational challenges they face at the ports, which the project team assured would be addressed.

She expressed optimism ahead of the planned launch of the National Single Window, urging the implementation team to ensure that the system is properly structured to enhance trade facilitation rather than create additional delays in cargo clearance processes.

Also speaking, the Chairman of APFFLON Tincan Chapter, Alhaji Akeem Ayobiojo, assured that freight forwarders would play their part in ensuring the success of the initiative by submitting accurate documentation and complying with the required procedures.

He stressed that transparency and professionalism from operators are essential to achieving the project’s goal of reducing cost, saving time and improving efficiency in Nigeria’s port operations.