The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (APFFLON) has congratulated the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, for his remarkable achievements in transforming the customs service and improving Nigeria’s trade environment during his tenure.
In a statement issued by the association, its President, Frank Ogunojemite, commended CG Adeniyi for his leadership in implementing reforms that have streamlined customs processes, increased efficiency in revenue collection, and enhanced stakeholder engagement. APFFLON specifically highlighted key initiatives under his administration, including the automation of customs procedures, the introduction of the e-auction platform, and efforts to reduce bottlenecks at Nigeria’s ports. These reforms, APFFLON stated, have greatly contributed to making the customs process more efficient and transparent.
“We commend CG Adewale Adeniyi for his visionary leadership, which has significantly improved the operational efficiency of the Nigeria Customs Service,” Ogunojemite stated. “His efforts have not only enhanced transparency but have also paved the way for a more predictable and efficient customs environment that supports trade facilitation in Nigeria.”
While acknowledging these achievements, APFFLON also used the opportunity to appeal to the Customs boss to consider extending the validity of the Customs clearing license from its current one-year tenure to a two-year renewable period. Ogunojemite explained that such an extension would offer several advantages, including reduced administrative burden for both Customs and clearing agents. By lessening the frequency of renewals, businesses would have more time to focus on their core activities, while Customs could allocate resources toward more strategic areas of enforcement and monitoring.
The association also emphasized that extending the license period would increase efficiency, allowing businesses to better plan and manage their operations over a longer period. It would also lead to cost savings, as companies would spend less on renewal fees and compliance costs, which could be better allocated toward improving business operations.
APFFLON further suggested that a two-year license validity could enhance security oversight by giving Customs more time to conduct thorough risk assessments and improve monitoring efforts.
“As we celebrate CG Adeniyi’s successes, we believe that extending the license renewal period would be another step toward optimizing the operational framework of the Nigeria Customs Service and enhancing the competitiveness of the freight forwarding industry,” Ogunojemite concluded.
