Headlines

NAGAFF disowns JACOFF, vows to protest its institutional integrity

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has formally distanced itself from the Joint Association of Customs Agent and Freight Forwarders (JACOFF), issuing an official disclaimer to clarify that it has no affiliation whatsoever with the group.

In a public notice dated February 13th, 2026, and signed by its Secretary General, Fwdr. Godfrey C. Nwosu, made available to the journalists in Lagos, the association stated unequivocally that it is neither a member, affiliate, partner, nor participant in JACOFF, whether formally or informally.

The statement emphasized that no individual, group, or organization is authorized to represent, speak for, negotiate on behalf of, or act in the name of NAGAFF under the platform or umbrella of JACOFF.

It further warned that any claims, publications, statements, or activities undertaken by JACOFF should not be interpreted as having the endorsement, approval, participation, or consent of NAGAFF.

“Any attempt — deliberate or otherwise — to associate NAGAFF with JACOFF’s activities constitutes misrepresentation and may attract appropriate legal or administrative action,” the statement read.

The association explained that the disclaimer was issued to protect its institutional integrity, identity, and independence, reiterating its commitment to its established governance structures, recognized regulatory engagements, and legitimate channels of industry representation.

NAGAFF also advised stakeholders, government agencies, private sector partners, and members of the public to rely solely on official communications released through its accredited officers and authorized platforms.

It could be recalled that the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents(ANLCA) has equally issued similar disclaimer, distancing itself from the faceless group

Customs

CBN, not Customs determines exchange rate figures for import, export trade

—Customs clarifies amidst wrong public perception

Gloria Odion

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has made a public clarification of the exchange rates that govern the payment of duties on imports and other valuation processes.

In a statement made available to our reporter, the Service said it does not determine, modify, or apply margins to foreign exchange rates used for import and export valuation.

According to the Service, all rates used on the B’Odogwu platform are officially provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which is the statutory authority responsible for exchange rate determination under Nigeria’s monetary framework.

“These rates are transmitted electronically and applied automatically across all Customs formations, ensuring transparency, consistency, and compliance with national fiscal and monetary policies.

‎”The B’Odogwu system is designed to receive and apply exchange rate data exactly as supplied by the CBN.

“It does not generate or alter rates at any time.

“In situations where there is a delay or change in data transmission format, the system retains the last valid CBN rate until a new update is successfully received, thereby maintaining accuracy and operational continuity.

“As part of ongoing improvements, the NCS is working with the CBN to introduce seamless API-based integration to further enhance real-time transmission, reliability, and system resilience.

‎”The Service also clarifies that the exchange rate of ₦1,451.63/US$ reported for 6 February 2026 did not originate from the B’Odogwu system.

“That figure came from trade.gov.ng, a legacy trade information portal that does not reflect live Customs processing data.

“Similarly, the National Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS) is not used for real-time valuation and is not recognised as a live Customs processing platform.

“The NCS therefore reiterates that the only authorised platform for Customs declarations, clearance, and valuation is https://bodogwu.customs.gov.ng, which receives exchange rates directly from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

‎”For the record, the exchange rate applied for Customs valuation on 6 February 2026 was ₦1,365.56 per US Dollar, as officially communicated by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“All subsequent rates used by the Service have followed the same process, reflecting only the official figures transmitted by the CBN and automatically implemented through the B’Odogwu system.

‎”The Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to transparency, consistency, and the facilitation of legitimate trade while ensuring full compliance with national fiscal and monetary policies.

“The Service assures stakeholders including the trading community, licensed customs agents, and international partners that its clearance and valuation processes remain accurate, predictable, and aligned with statutory requirements and global best practices.

“The NCS will continue to strengthen its systems, uphold operational integrity, and support Nigeria’s economic growth through efficient and accountable Customs administration” the NCS concluded in its statement.

Customs

Customs eyes N9 trillion revenue in 2026

Funso OLOJO,Editor

The Nigeria Customs Service has set an ambitious revenue target of a whooping sum of N9 trillion for 2026.

The revenue projection, which is still awaiting the final confirmation by the National Assembly, is contingent upon the massive reforms and digitalization of Customs operations which the service believes will lead to trade facilitation and higher revenue yield.

It could be recalled that the NCS exceeded its 6 trillion revenue target for 2025 by 11 percent.

However, the joint Appropriation Committees of the National Assembly may still set a higher target for the Service at its next seating.

It could be recalled that the joint committees of both the House of Representatives and the Senate last year increased the revenue target of the Service for 2025 from 6 trillion to 12 trillion, arguing that the Service had the capacity to achieve the homonguous revenue figures.

Meanwhile , the Comptroller- General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed that the Service raked in more than ₦100 billion in 2025 from traders who voluntarily returned to regularise their underpaid duties after reviewing their records.

He described the development as unprecedented and a trend he vowed that the Service would sustain in 2026 and beyond

Adeniyi also disclosed that the Service exceeded its 2025 revenue target by about 11 per cent, based on an easier and more predictable trade process, which has boosted turnover and encouraged voluntary compliance among importers, exporters, clearing agents, and freight forwarders operating at the ports and border stations.

On border operations, Adeniyi confirmed the reopening of the Seme Border, describing it as strategic to Nigeria’s role as a regional transit corridor.

He said the decision followed engagements among authorities in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Republic of Benin, and consultations involving Niger, leading to approval for transit cargo movements along the Kébé route.

The CGC said the country was meeting its obligations to support landlocked countries by allowing transit goods to move to destinations such as Chad and Cameroon, while stressing that tighter technological controls would be deployed to ensure such consignments are not diverted into the domestic market.

Adeniyi assured that transit operations from major seaports, including Apapa Port and Tin Can Island Port, would continue with enhanced monitoring to generate more revenue and boost the security of the country.

The CGC pledged that the 2026 strategy will focus on sustained trade facilitation, deeper use of technology for risk management and cargo tracking, and stronger partnerships with the trading community, expressing confidence that the measures will support the revenue target and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a regional trade hub in West and Central Africa.

Headlines

FIFA sends Nigeria’s Super Eagles to 2026 World Cup, awards boardroom scoreline of 3 goals to nil against DR Congo

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The world Cup ticket which Nigeria’s Super Eagles failed to secure on the field of play have been delivered in FIFA’s boardroom in Zurich, Switzerland.

This followed a decisive verdict in the eligibility dispute between Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as the World football governing body overturned the playoff result and awarded qualification to the Super Eagles for the 2026 World Cup.

The ruling was handed down by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee following a formal protest lodged by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) against the Congolese Association Football Federation (FECOFA).At the heart of the matter was the Best Losers Playoff match in the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

DR Congo had originally secured a 2–1 victory over Nigeria, seemingly clinching the final qualification slot.

However, Nigeria challenged the outcome, alleging that a DR Congo player — identified in proceedings as Player X — was ineligible to feature in the decisive encounter due to an incomplete nationality switch process.

After reviewing official match documentation, player registration records, and correspondence between FECOFA and FIFA’s Players’ Status Department, the Disciplinary Committee established that the player had previously represented another national association at youth level.

Under FIFA regulations governing player eligibility, any footballer seeking to change national association must formally apply for the switch, receive written approval from FIFA, and obtain official confirmation before participating in any senior “A” international match.

The Committee found that although Player X had initiated the process, formal approval had not been granted before the playoff fixture.

Crucially, no provisional clearance had been issued to permit temporary participation.

Citing Article 9 of the Regulations Governing the Application of the FIFA Statutes and Article 21 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the Committee ruled that DR Congo fielded an ineligible player in an official competitive match.

In line with the regulations, the match has been declared forfeited.

The result has been officially recorded as DR Congo 0–3 Nigeria.

Consequently, Nigeria has been proclaimed winner of the Best Losers Playoff Round and awarded qualification to represent Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The decision marks a major boost for Nigerian football and underscores FIFA’s strict stance on eligibility compliance, particularly in high-stakes fixtures that determine World Cup participation.

While DR Congo has been disqualified from the playoff pathway, the federation retains the right to appeal the ruling before the FIFA Appeals Committee.

In its closing observations, the Committee stressed that strict adherence to nationality switch procedures is vital to maintaining fairness and integrity in international football, warning that administrative processes still in progress do not justify participation without formal approval.