The ‘Group-of-9’ within the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), vying for Board of Trustees (BoT) positions, has committed to advocating for significant changes in the renewal process of operational licenses.
During a meeting with the Western Zone members in Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos, on Tuesday, the group assured members of their plans to push for a review of the current annual renewal system if elected.
The Group, which includes Alhaji Dayo Azeez, Adeola Mummuney, and Segun Awonuga, also appealed to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to unblock licenses that were allegedly wrongfully revoked. They highlighted the importance of unity and effective leadership in ANLCA, especially as the association emerges from a prolonged crisis caused by internal conflicts.
Addressing concerns from zone members, Azeez acknowledged the financial burden posed by the yearly license renewal. He compared it to other professional bodies such as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Association of Professional Engineers (APEN). Azeez promised that their group would negotiate with the NCS to extend the renewal period to three years and reduce the renewal costs.
“Our group has noted your complaints about the costliness of our practice’s license renewal compared to other professions. We will engage the NCS to consider a three-year renewal timeframe instead of the annual routine. We aim to alleviate the financial burden on our members while ensuring compliance with government regulations,” Azeez said.
Mummuney emphasized the need for professionalizing the customs brokerage practice, which he believes will enhance trust and open greater opportunities for practitioners. He highlighted that achieving a fully professional status would help restrict clearing jobs to Nigerians, fostering a more competitive and reliable industry.
On his part, Awonuga pointed out that while the clearing and forwarding business is a global profession, the lack of organization in Nigeria hinders efficiency. He stressed the need for a united board and executive committee to lead the process of professionalization and address operational challenges.
Former interim National President of ANLCA, Pius Ujubuno, also voiced his concerns during the meeting. He criticized the NCS for excluding customs agents from the Single Window Committee, despite their crucial role in the industry. He urged the incoming BoT to seek greater recognition for customs brokers and review the Customs Act 2023, which refers to clearing agents as Customs Representatives without recognizing their role as fiscal partners.
“We were part of the Customs Act review drafting committee and recommended a four-year renewal period for licenses. However, the final act did not reflect our position. We want this incoming BoT to address this issue and ensure our members are recognized and respected as fiscal partners,” Ujubuno stated.
