ANLCA @72: Sanwo-Olu, Haastrup, Others Applaud Association’s Role in Nigeria’s Economy

Group photograph of stakeholders present at 72 anniversary celebration of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA)

BY FRONTLINE REPORTERS

The Nigerian maritime industry on Tuesday celebrated the 72nd anniversary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), with government officials, regulators, terminal operators, traditional rulers and industry leaders commending the association for its longstanding contribution to trade facilitation and the national economy.

The anniversary celebration, held at the Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, was organised under the theme: “ANLCA: Celebrating a Legacy of Professionalism, Advancing Trade Facilitation and Shaping the Future of Customs Brokerage.”

Speaking at the event, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner for Commerce, Corporate Trade and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, described ANLCA’s 72-year journey as a remarkable milestone.

Sanwo-Olu noted that the association was established in 1954, six years before Nigeria gained independence, adding that despite profound changes in the country and the international trade environment, ANLCA had remained an important component of Nigeria’s customs and maritime ecosystem.

According to him, licensed customs agents play a critical role in helping businesses navigate the processes involved in moving goods through Nigeria’s ports, airports and 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 stressed that the role of customs agents was particularly significant in Lagos, where the ports serve as major gateways to the Nigerian economy.

He said the efficiency of the ports affects not only businesses but also ordinary Nigerians who depend on the goods, services and employment generated by international trade.

Sanwo-Olu noted that as Lagos continues to expand its maritime infrastructure, including the Lekki Deep Sea Port and other port-related opportunities, the state was positioning itself to handle increased trade and connect Nigerian businesses to a larger African market.

He welcomed efforts by ANLCA and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to address congestion along the Apapa and Tin Can Island port corridors, stressing that port congestion was not merely a transportation challenge but one that increased business costs and delayed cargo movement.

The governor also commended ANLCA for its empowerment programmes and support for members who had served the association, noting that the strength of an organisation was measured not only by its achievements but also by how it treated its people.

He urged the association to preserve the values that had sustained it for seven decades, particularly integrity and professionalism.

Sanwo-Olu also emphasised the need to equip younger members with the skills required to operate confidently in an increasingly digital trading environment.

He assured stakeholders that the Lagos State Government would continue to support an environment in which legitimate businesses could operate, investments could grow and those contributing to the economy could achieve greater returns.

‘ANLCA Members Are Indispensable’

The Chairperson of the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) and Executive Vice Chairman of ENL Consortium, Olori Vicky Haastrup, described ANLCA members as indispensable partners in Nigeria’s port ecosystem.

According to her, terminal operators could not effectively operate without licensed customs agents, whom she described as a critical pillar of trade facilitation across seaports, airports and other port corridors.

“72 years is a testament to endurance, readiness, professionalism, and an enduring commitment to Nigeria’s maritime and trading community. Without ANLCA, we cannot function. Whether seaport, airport, wherever you have any ports, you are very key to our trade facilitation,” she said.

Haastrup congratulated the National President and National Executive of ANLCA for sustaining the association, stressing that efficient ports depended on effective collaboration among all stakeholders.

She said customs agents were at the heart of Nigeria’s port business and that their professionalism, compliance and engagement with terminal operators and government agencies directly affected the speed and ease of cargo movement.

“For this reason, we regard ANLCA and its members as our partners in progress. We have enjoyed tremendous support and understanding from ANLCA,” she stated.

She said the anniversary theme was particularly relevant to efforts to build an efficient, competitive and business-friendly port environment.

According to her, all stakeholders should work towards eliminating avoidable delays, improving transparency, embracing technology, promoting compliance and creating an environment in which legitimate trade could flourish.

Haastrup also commended the Federal Government for what she described as an enabling environment for businesses operating in the maritime sector.

“I want to seize this opportunity to thank the Federal Government for creating an enabling environment for business in the maritime sector. What we are experiencing today under the leadership of this President is something we have not enjoyed for a very long time,” she added.

Deputy Speaker of Lagos House of Assembly, Hon Mojisola Miranda (1st from left) Director NSW Project, Tola Fakolade, ANLCA former President, Peter Okocha

Revenue Service Pays Tribute

The Chairman of the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS), Dr Zacch Adedeji, represented by the Director of the National Single Window Project, Tola Fakolade, also paid tribute to ANLCA’s contribution to Nigeria’s trade system.

Fakolade traced the association’s evolution alongside developments in Nigeria’s ports, customs procedures and trade processes—from largely manual operations to computerised systems and, increasingly, integrated digital platforms, data-driven risk management and international trade agreements.

He said ANLCA members had repeatedly adapted to new systems, trained their personnel and helped clients understand regulatory changes, sometimes while the new systems were still evolving.

“That capacity to change is the real secret of your longevity,” he said.

Fakolade described trade as one of the major engines of the Nigerian economy, noting that it facilitates the importation of raw materials, machinery, consumer goods and food while also providing channels through which Nigerian exports reach international markets.

He added that trade was closely linked to government revenue, with customs duties and related levies contributing to public finances used to provide infrastructure and essential services.

“When trade flows smoothly and honestly, the country is stronger,” he said.

According to him, ANLCA members, who prepare declarations, classify goods, apply applicable rates and guide traders through customs procedures, have remained central to this process for more than seven decades.

‘Clearing Is a Wonderful Profession’

The Chairman of the occasion and former ANLCA President, Chief Peter Okocha, described clearing and forwarding as a “wonderful profession”, noting that although some people looked down on clearing agents, he remained proud of his roots in the profession.

Okocha said his career began as a clearing and forwarding agent before he later acquired African Petroleum (AP).

He suggested that ANLCA might consider reviewing its name in response to changes within the wider regulatory and institutional environment, citing the transformation of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) into the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS).

He also urged ANLCA members to continually remind relevant government agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service and the NPA, of the indispensable role played by licensed customs agents.

He said government agencies should recognise the importance of the association and honour invitations whenever ANLCA requires their participation at the highest levels.

Former Vice President of ANLCA, Dr Kayode Farinto and former Sole Administrator, Otunba Babatunde Mukaila

ANLCA Demands Coordinated Port Reforms

In his address, the National President of ANLCA, Mr Kingsley Emenike Nwokeoji, said Nigeria could not aspire to become a global trading hub while the cost of moving cargo through its ports remained unnecessarily high.

He identified congestion, cargo examination, poor access roads, truck movement, storage, demurrage, detention, multiple regulatory interventions and fragmented processes among the challenges requiring urgent attention.

“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.

Nwokeoji called for a coordinated port reform strategy under which every agency, terminal operator and service provider would be measured against a central objective: the speed, transparency and efficiency with which legitimate cargo could enter or leave Nigeria.

“The port should serve as a gateway to economic prosperity, not a bottleneck to economic growth,” he said.

He also described the National Single Window as one of the most significant opportunities to transform Nigeria’s international trade environment.

Former President of ANLCA, Ernest Elochukwu flanked by the Chairman Board of Trustees, Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha (right) and the association’s Vice President, Prince Segun Oduntan

According to him, stakeholders had for decades advocated the elimination of duplication, reduction of physical interfaces, improved transparency and the creation of seamless trade processes.

“Technology now provides us with the opportunity to make that vision a reality. However, we must implement it correctly. A single window must not become merely a collection of separate windows on one platform. It must genuinely simplify trade,” he said.

Nwokeoji said the system should reduce documentation and duplication, improve transparency, minimise unnecessary human intervention and lower the time and cost of doing business in Nigeria.

He added that ANLCA was prepared to contribute its practical experience to the implementation of the reform.

“We urge government to institutionalise the participation of frontline stakeholders in its implementation, because those who operate the system every day understand its strengths, weaknesses and unintended consequences,” he said.

The ANLCA president said the association also welcomed the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to reform the economy and reposition Nigeria for sustainable growth.

He said the administration’s focus on improving the business environment, increasing revenue, promoting non-oil exports, strengthening border security and modernising trade processes aligned with objectives ANLCA had advocated over the years.

ANLCA Must Embrace Digital Transformation — Mustapha

The Chairman of the ANLCA Board of Trustees, Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha, acknowledged the challenges facing the association but said it had continued to grow both quantitatively and qualitatively.

He noted that members were operating in an environment shaped by changing government policies, evolving customs procedures, technological transformation, disruptions in the global economic order and, at times, internal disagreements.

“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,” he said.

Mustapha urged members to strengthen their voice in national trade and fiscal policy discussions and build an association whose members were recognised for competence, integrity and professionalism.

He also called for greater investment in technology, training, capacity building and research to improve the quality of customs brokerage services and cargo delivery.

According to him, younger members must be prepared to assume leadership responsibilities and be equipped to meet global professional standards.

“We must invest in continuous professional education/training. We must embrace digital Customs automation, data-driven trade facilitation and emerging, disruptive technologies. 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 further urged ANLCA to strengthen its relationship with the Nigeria Customs Service, NPA, other government agencies, terminal operators, shipping companies, exporters and other stakeholders across the supply and logistics value chain.

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‘ANLCA Belongs to Everybody’

The ANLCA Vice President and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the 72nd anniversary, Prince Segun Oduntan, said the association belonged to all its members and stakeholders.

“ANLCA is Nigeria and Nigeria is ANLCA,” he said.

Oduntan urged members to continue supporting the association so that it could better represent their interests, protect their rights and build their professional capacity.

“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.

Awards, Dignitaries and Entertainment

The high point of the celebration was the presentation of awards to deserving stakeholders for their contributions to the association and the maritime industry.

Among those honoured were retired Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Dera Nnadi; Queen Vicky Haastrup; and former ANLCA President, Ernest Elochukwu, among others.

Other dignitaries at the event included 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 Command 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 officials; royal fathers; and other stakeholders across the maritime and logistics sectors.

The celebration also featured entertainment by popular comedian Klint de Drunk, bringing the event to a lively close.