Customs NAGAFF Reaffirm Strategic Partnership,As Apapa Command Hits N1.37 Trillion Revenue In First Half Of 2025

Customs NAGAFF Reaffirm Strategic Partnership,As Apapa Command Hits N1.37 Trillion Revenue In First Half Of 2025

L-R Deputy President Seaport, chief Afam Chukwuma, National President NAGAfF,High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi,CAC Apapa Customs Command, Babatunde Olomu PhD,Founder NAGAFF Dr Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam, and vice president  Princess is Chy Eze during the visit of Apapa CAC,to NAGAFF Headquarters on Tuesday

By Frank Odinukaeze

In a significant step towards strengthening collaboration between regulators and key industry players, the Customs Area Controller of the Tincan Island Port Command, Babatunde Olomu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Customs Service’s (NCS) commitment to sustained stakeholder engagement with the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF).

Speaking during a strategic meeting with the leadership and members of NAGAFF at the association’s headquarters in Lagos, Olomu highlighted the importance of partnerships in boosting trade facilitation and ensuring national economic growth.

National President NAGAFF,High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi being presented Sourvenir,by Comptroller Babatunde Olomu PhD,while Deputy President Seaport chief Afam Chukwuma,(L)looks on

“The Customs Service and NAGAFF are partners in progress. We are bound by a shared mission to strengthen Nigeria’s logistics ecosystem and enhance trade compliance,” Olomu declared.

He emphasized that the visit was in line with the directive of the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, to deepen stakeholder relations, promote transparency, and sustain the robust bond between the service and freight forwarders.

Founder NAGAFF,Dr.Boniface Aniebonam, speaking during the visit of Apapa CAC Comptroller Babatunde Olomu PhD on Tuesday at NAGAFF Headquarters,in Lagos 

Olomu also celebrated the recent emergence of CGC Adeniyi as the Chairperson of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council, describing it as a testament to Nigeria’s growing influence in global customs leadership.

“This development is not just about prestige; it’s a call to greater responsibility for all of us in the trade and logistics chain. With credible partners like NAGAFF, we can meet global standards in compliance, declarations, and revenue generation,” he said.

Noting the strong contribution of NAGAFF to customs revenue and trade volume at the PAPA Area Command, Olomu expressed optimism that the command would surpass its ambitious revenue projection of ₦1.378 trillion for the first half of 2025.

“We came first in revenue and trade participation metrics in the last quarter. That could not have been possible without NAGAFF’s commitment and integrity,” he added.

He also lauded NAGAFF’s investment in training through its Freight Forwarding Academy, saying it positioned the organization as a thought leader in professional development and customs modernization.

Olomu further advised members to pay close attention to their health, stressing that a thriving maritime economy depends on healthy stakeholders.

BoT chairman NAGAFF, Chief Chidiebere Enelamah

“Our command has an accessible clinic open to all stakeholders with stocked pharmacy units. Please take advantage of it and prioritize regular health checkups,” he urged.

In closing, the Customs boss expressed deep appreciation for the warm and consistent support received from NAGAFF members since assuming office in May 2024.

“As we enter the second half of the year, let us double our efforts to achieve greater milestones together. God bless NAGAFF, the Nigerian Customs Service, and our great country Nigeria,” he concluded.

Speaking at the August event,the Founder of NAGAFF, who was fondly referred to as “Iroko” of NAGAFF,Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, noted that unprofessional conduct of Customs officers has seized at Apapa Customs Command since Comptroller Olomu took over the mantle of leadership of the command.

National publicity Secretary,Dr.Clement Iwegbuna aka Omenma, capturing the event on camera

“There was a high level of unprofessional conduct by Customs officers at the Apapa Command in the past and I suffered from having to respond to calls from aggrieved NAGAFF members over the years. Most times, I would be up until 2am replying to calls.

“However, the story has changed at Apapa Customs and this explains why we are seeing an astronomical increase in revenue. We no longer get to the level of quarrelling and fighting over inspection of cargoes. It is a good time for freight forwarding at Apapa port”, Aniebonam said.

Dr Aniebonam noted that the port operations are currently anchored on destination inspection, the NAGAFF founder admonished freight forwarders to be honest in their declaration.
The NAGAFF founder advised NAGAFF members to embrace trade compliance,and avoid acts that could jeopardize their interest.
In his welcome remarks, the President of NAGAFF, Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, commended the Apapa Customs boss for making the visit to the association.

“We believe that this visit signifies a renewed commitment to trust, greater collaboration and progress”, Ezisi asserted.

National President NAGAFF High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, decorating CACA Apapa Customs Command Comptroller Babatunde Olomu PhD, as NAGAFF Ambassador

The event also featured the decoration of the Apapa Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Olomu by the NAGAFF President Tochukwu; while other members of the Apapa Customs management entourage equally got the association’s lapel pin.

NAGAFF high command putting heads together to move the association forward

The visit was well attended by NAGAFF executives, freight forwarders, and members of the press, reinforcing the longstanding synergy between the NCS and the freight forwarding community.