Customs

Opposition mounts against proposed hike in licensing renewal fee by Customs as agents kick

–the timing is wrong — Amiwero

–the rich will now hijack the clearing job– Musa

— the multinationals will have a field day — Mukaila

– lot of agents will be out of job-Otunba Komolafe

– the economy will collapse — Barrister Ada Akpunonu

Funso OLOJO

There seems to an overwhelming unanimity in the resistance of the Customs Licensed Clearing Agents against the proposed hike in the licensing renewal fee by the Nigeria Customs Service.

On Thursday, August 7th, 2025, the management of the NCS muted the idea of a hike in licensing renewal fee when it was sensitizing the executives of the major freight forwarding groups in Abuja.

The agency told the freight forwarders that commencing from January 1st, 2026, the current renewal fee of N215, 000( 20k for the Headquarters and N15k processing fee for the commands) would be increased as the existing fee was no longer realistic in the face of the economic realities in the country.

However, a cross – section of the practicing customs brokers who spoke to our reporter on the proposed review were unsparing in their total rejection and condemnation of the proposal.

They were unanimous in their belief that the move by the customs authority was not only ill- timed, ill- conceived but it’s capable of sending many practitioners out of the business.

The customs brokers lamented the timing of the proposed hike when, according to them, they are still grappling with the challenges of multiple payment of charges and fees atvtge port.

They pointed out the reintroduction of the 4 percent fee on FOB on imported cargo, the high exchange rate and other taxes which they said are hurting the business.

They further claimed that the proposed hike will give a leeway to the money bags and the foreign multi- nationals to hijack the freight forwarding industry.

Dr Segun Musa, the Deputy National President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) accused Customs of gradually turning the issue of licensing into cash and carry for the highest bidders.

He believed that obtaining customs license should be purely knowledge- based and not what should be procured with money.

“To me, I don’t think it’s a welcome development and I’m not subscribing to that” when asked of his reaction to the proposed hike.

“The industry should be more of knowledge-driven and not cash-driven.

I didn’t subscribe to it and definitely I won’t buy into it.

” The reality is not whether the current renewal fee is sustainable or

not sustainable. Ordinarily, we don’t suppose as practitioners, we’re not supposed to pay for license.

“We’re supposed to be registered and licensed based on knowledge.

“It should not be a commercialized thing. A customs licensing is not a commercialized venture, it is not a private venture for profit making.

“They generate revenue for government. But ordinarily, we’re supposed to be registered and licensed based on knowledge to facilitate trade.

” If we allow the financial bullion operators to hijack the industry, then they mess up the whole industry.

“It should be knowledge-driven. It should not be the highest bidder industry.

” It should be integrity platform. It should be knowledge platform, not money

back platform.

“You cannot push people that are trying to establish and advance their business out of the business. You don’t do that.

It’s not fair.

“I’m just waiting for the associations that have met with the CG to come out with there own resolutions or their own brief before we can start engaging media and telling the media our own personal opinion.

” But definitely, it will not fly.

Alhaji Abdulaziz Mukaila, the former National Secretary Generals of the Association of Nigerian Customs Licensed Agents(ANLCA, was not less critical of the licensing renewal proposal.

” Where do they want us to get the money from? Do they want us to start to tax importers? the ANLCA Chieftain asked rhetorically.

“Are they giving us any subvention?

Whereas, Customs is taking salary.

They are still taking budget allowance.

” Now they are taking 4 percent cent on FOB on cargo.

” The Customs is giving way to the fraudsters they claimed they wanted to weed out with this hike because the fraudsters will get the license at any amount because they know what they want to do with the license.

*Customs will only succeed in chasing out honest people out of the business, thus paving way to the dubious ones to take over.

“What are they trying to

achieve?

” To shut the door and bring in foreign multinationals?

“Afterall, the customs now give licenses to the Chinese, Indians and Lebanese.

“With this new hike, these foreigners will now gain full control of the industry” the former ANLCA scribe alleged.

Mr Lucky Eyis Amiwero, the factional President of National Council of Managing Directors of Customs Licensed Agents (NCMDLCA) believed that the proposed hike in licensing fee was ill- time at a time the Customs has just introduced 4 percent Free-on-Board (FOB) on imported cargo.

“I don’t think it is the right time for

them to renew, to increase license fees.

“It is the wrong time because the country is actually faced with a lot of challenges.

“The challenges are, one,exchange rates. A lot of people have lost their job. Even people cannot renew most of their licenses.

“When you look at the license renewal, it is based on the performance.

Many people might renew and after the whole thing,they don’t have any jobs to

do.

“So,I don’t think it is the right time for them because as the customs was renewing, is trying to bring

in 4% of FOB and so many charges.

“And this is going to hit the agents, hit the importers, hit the

manufacturers,hit the economy.

“When you increase, many of them cannot even move out from their homes.

The port is not a friendly place. A lot of things that are happening at the port are not coordinated.

“More than 70% of people have left the port industry.

“So,customs should have reasons and seek opinion of people before they start to increase.

“That money they are increasing is for their own .

“When the last time they reviewed the whole thing, I was in the forefront.

“The last time it was reviewed from N10,000 to N200,000” Amiwero declared.

Both Barrister Ada Akpunonu and Otunba Olasupo Komolafe of the ANLCA shared similar sentiments on the issue.

Akpunonu seemed to be carefree about the issue because, according to her, the challenges which agents are facing at the port are overwhelming and frustrating.

She lamented that while the agents were battling with the charges of terminal operators, Customs came with the payment of 4 percent Free-on-Board (FOB) levy and now the hike in licensing fee renewal.

” I don’t want to talk about this issue.

If they like, let them increase, when the economy collapses , we shall all be affected”

” Let the Customs increase, those who have money will renew and those who don’t have will be thrown out of job and the rate of unemployment will increase” Akpunonu said in a tired tone.

Otunba Komolafe described the proposed hike as an additional burden on agents who are already groaning in pains over multiple charges at the port.

” Where do they want us to get money? Do they think we pick money on the ground? ,the ANLCA Chieftain asked rhetorically.

He said some agents may not be able to even utilize their license for a whole years due to lack of job.

He claimed that the hike will throw many out of the job.

Customs

Dera Nnadi bows out of Customs in a blaze of glory

Geraldine Samuel, Reporter

Dera Nnadi, a Deputy Comptroller- General of Customs(rtd), has dropped anchor of service in the Nigeria Customs and graceful bowed out of the agency in a blaze of glory.

In a commemorative retirement ceremony conducted by his appreciative colleagues at the Customs’ Headquarters, Abuja on March 3rd, 2026, Nnadi was pulled out of the Service he has diligently served amidst glowing tributes.

Incidentally, his pull- out ceremony coincided with his 60th birthday.

Leading the management staff, men and officers of the service in paying moving tributes to the retiring Nnadi was the Comptroller- General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who described DCG(rtd) Nnadi as an exemplary officer whose professionalism, discipline, and commitment to duty significantly strengthened the values and operational effectiveness of the NCS.

According to the CGC, the retirement ceremony provided an opportunity not only to celebrate a successful career but also to appreciate the sacrifices and dedication of officers who devote their lives to safeguarding the nation’s economic and border security interests.

He noted that Nnadi’s career reflects the core ideals of the Nigeria Customs Service, particularly in leadership, revenue generation and trade facilitation.

“Today is a moment of celebration and reflection. It is also an opportunity for us to thank Almighty God for the grace that has sustained our colleague throughout his years of service,” the CGC said.

The CGC also highlighted the personal and professional bond he shares with the retiree, noting that their relationship extends beyond official duties to family ties.

He expressed confidence that DCG Nnadi still possesses the energy and experience to continue contributing meaningfully to national development through academic and other professional engagements.

Members of the Service’s management team also paid glowing tributes to the retired DCG, commending his leadership qualities, integrity and mentorship.

Officers who served under him described him as a dependable leader who provided guidance and encouragement to younger personnel while strengthening the Service’s institutional capacity.

Responding to the honour, DCG Dera Nnadi (Rtd) expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, the management team, officers and Men of the Service for their support and cooperation throughout his career.

He described his years in the NCS as a fulfilling journey of growth, learning and service to the nation.

The ceremony featured the presentation of awards, gift items and commemorative photographs in honour of the distinguished officer.

Customs

Customs takes charge of implementation of National Single Window project

– rallies stakeholders for successful take-off

Funso OLOJO, Editor

As the preparations for the official launch of National Single Window(NSW) project on March 27th, 2026 gather momentum, the Nigeria Customs service may have been designated as the lead agency to drive the modernisation project.

This much was confirmed by the Director of the Project, Tola Fakolade who acknowledged the pivotal leadership of the NCS in the implementation process.

At one of the stakeholders sensitisation programmes in Abuja on March 3rd, 2026, Fakolade declared “Our number one stakeholder is the NCS,”

“We have maintained a strong and constructive working relationship.

Customs’ participation and institutional experience are critical to the success of this project.” the project coordinator confirmed.

Confirming the lead role of the NCS, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT and Modernisation, DCG Oluyomi Adebakin, described the NSW as a major milestone in the Service’s ongoing modernisation drive.

She revealed that the NCS has been actively engaged in preparatory work for months to ensure that the framework being developed reflects operational realities and supports seamless implementation.

“This is a national project, but Customs is at the centre of its execution,” DCG Adebakin said.

“The success of the Single Window depends on collective understanding and cooperation. We must all appreciate its value because we cannot effectively promote what we do not fully understand.”

She reassured officers and stakeholders that the initiative is designed to strengthen institutional capacity rather than replace human resources, explaining that technology will enhance efficiency, transparency, and speed in cargo clearance and trade documentation processes.

Reaffirming the critical role of the service in the implementation of the NSW project, the Comptroller- General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the Abuja stakeholders engagement with airlines and shipping companies held on March 4th, 2026, emphasised the importance of collaboration in ensuring the successful rollout of the initiative.

He noted that the support of critical stakeholders has played a significant role in the achievements recorded in the Service’s modernisation journey so far.

Adeniyi disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated the Service to take a bold step forward towards a successful launch of the National Single Window, a move aimed at positioning Nigeria as a major player in global trade.

He added that airline and shipping line operators remain vital partners in ensuring a seamless transition to the new system.

He further assured stakeholders that adequate support structures are being put in place to ease the migration process.

“A help desk with well-trained personnel will be available to address any operational challenges that may arise during the rollout”, the Comptroller-General stated.

The NCS described the National Single Window as a strategic reform that aligns with Customs’ mandate of trade facilitation, revenue generation, and inter-agency coordination.

With the NCS spearheading coordination and stakeholder engagement, the NSW project is expected to transform Nigeria’s trade environment, enhance revenue generation, and strengthen the country’s position in the global trading community.

Customs

Seme Customs in revenue windfall as it collects N3.5 billion in February.

Funso OLOJO,Editor

The Seme command of the Nigeria Customs Service has continued to sustain its revenue momentious

trajectory under the leadership of its Area Controller, Comptroller Wale Adenuga.

According to revenue statistics made available to our reporter by the command, it has garnered a princely sum of N3,480,970,924.67 in revenue for the month of February 2026, with the month still ongoing.

Comptroller Adenuga made this disclosure during an interactive session at a stakeholders’ engagement meeting with cross-border traders ,farmers and stakeholders organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Agricultural Trade Programme and GIZ International.

The event, held in Badagry on Wednesday, February 25th, 2026, was themed “Empowering Cross-Border Traders through Trade Information Desk for Agricultural Traders”.

Comptroller Adenuga noted the revenue figure represents a remarkable improvement over the N743,698,652.16 recorded in February 2025 which he attributed to the seamless trade facilitation process adopted at the Command.

“For this February that has not yet ended, we have already generated N3,480,970,924.67 as against N743,698,652.16 revenue generated in February 2025″ Adenuga told the stakeholders.

He said the feat was a reflection of

the flow of trade which he believed was getting better as people are building greater confidence in the Seme–Krake corridor.

Comptroller Adenuga assured traders and stakeholders that the significant reduction in checkpoints along the Seme–Gbaji axis is the direct result of strong collaborative efforts with other security agencies operating within the corridor.

He disclosed that only Agbara and Gbaji remain the officially Customs approved and sanctioned checkpoints along this Lagos-Abidjan corridor.

The Customs Chief further attributed the noticeable decline in crime rates along the Seme-Gbaji axis to the positive outcomes of monthly joint border security meetings involving all agencies at the border post.

These regular inter-agency engagements, according to him, have strengthened better cooperation, improved intelligence sharing and more effective responses to security challenges, thereby creating a safer and more enabling environment for cross-border trade.

Adenuga declared that while revenue generation and trade facilitation remain key priorities, the Command’s mandate extends firmly to combating illicit activities.

The CAC highlighted recent enforcement successes, including the interception of a Toyota Highlander vehicle conveying 22 packages of cocaine with an estimated street value exceeding N1 billion, a feat he claimed was made possible based on very credible information shared by the CGC.

In addition, during February 2026 alone, the Command has seized 1,000 bags of 50kg parboiled rice, underscoring its unwavering commitment to suppressing smuggling and protecting Nigeria’s economic borders.

Comptroller Adenuga reiterated the vigilance and commitment of the operatives of the Command in working closely with stakeholders, traders, farmers, sister security agencies and regional partners to improve the momentum of trade and security along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.