NAGAFF seeks one-year extension for retiring Customs officers

BY FRONTLINE REPORTERS

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to grant a one-year extension to seasoned management officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) due to retire by December 2026, warning that their simultaneous exit could disrupt leadership transition and administrative continuity.

In an open letter titled “The Matter of Mass Due Retirement of Seasoned Management Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service,” signed by its Secretary-General, Godfrey Nwosu, in Lagos on Wednesday, NAGAFF said the extension would allow younger officers to gain experience and prepare for the growing complexities of international trade and customs administration.

The association acknowledged the Comptroller-General of Customs and his management team’s efforts to position younger officers for leadership but argued that retaining experienced personnel for another year would strengthen institutional stability and support the effective implementation of government fiscal and trade policies.

NAGAFF also raised concerns over the alleged influx of fake and adulterated products into Nigeria, blaming lapses in implementing the National Single Window platform for weakening regulatory enforcement. It warned that agencies such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), NAFDAC and NESREA faced challenges in carrying out their statutory responsibilities, stressing the need for stronger coordination and experienced leadership.

The association expressed support for Tinubu’s economic reform agenda, particularly the removal of petroleum subsidy, and urged him to sustain the fight against corruption. It pledged its members’ support for efforts to revive the economy, while copies of the letter were sent to NAGAFF founder, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Senate President and the Comptroller-General of Customs.

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