ANLCA @ 72: FG, Stakeholders Laud Association’s Leading Role in Trade Facilitation

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

​Agencies of the federal government, maritime stakeholders, sister operators, and industry leaders who gathered in Lagos, yesterday  to celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), praised the association for providing a responsible, professional, and leading role in expanding Nigeria’s freight and maritime sector.

​The high-profile anniversary with the theme “ANLCA: Celebrating a Legacy of Professionalism, Advancing Trade Facilitation, and Shaping the Future of Customs Brokerage” also featured strong calls from key federal government regulatory authorities for customs brokers to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) and prioritize voluntary compliance.

​​Delivering his keynote message, the Chairman of the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji, represented by the Director of the National Single Window (NSW) Project, Tola Fakolade noted that despite 72 years of stellar service, ANLCA’s mission remains ongoing.

But he also outlined three critical imperatives for its members to continue to take the lead in moving forward. Firstly, the NRS boss urged ANLCA to embrace continuous change, while openly acknowledging ANLCA’s proven resilience over seven decades of adapting to evolving trade systems.

​He also urged the association to continue to adopt emerging technologies and trade tools, emphasizing that AI is actively reshaping document verification, classification support, and risk analysis across the global supply chains.

​ This is even as he challenged ANLCA to continue to champion total compliance within the trading environment. He explained that compliance is essential to safeguard government revenue, protect the integrity of the customs brokerage profession, and shield clients from costly delays and legal penalties.

​”Compliance should not be seen as a burden—it is your competitive advantage. In a world where trust is everything, the compliant broker is the one clients’ will choose,” Adedeji stated, urging ANLCA to establish clear professional benchmarks and enforce peer accountability.

​​Similarly, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, used the occasion to reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to its strategic partnership with ANLCA.

Adeniyi who was represented by the Customs Area Controller of the Tin Can Island Port Command, Comptroller Joe Anani, noted that modern trade facilitation and effective regulation cannot be achieved by Customs alone, stressing that the rapidly changing digital trade ecosystem demands high professionalism, transparency, and data integrity from all freight forwarders and customs clearing agents.

​”The future of trade is undoubtedly digital. Modern customs agents must be knowledgeable, transparent, and committed to accurate declarations and timely submissions.

“We must collectively reject practices that undermine legitimate trade or expose the economy to unnecessary risk”, he said.

​He further urged ANLCA leadership to invest continuously in members capacity building, ensuring agents remain agile as Nigeria Customs expands its modern automation, data-driven processes, and risk management systems.

Other industry subgroups and essential services providers, including the maritime truckers’ association, barge operators, terminal operators, maritime workers union, customs consultative council, banks etc, eulogized ANLCA and its members for strategically filling an important economic component and for its resilience and commitment to posterity.

​​The 72nd anniversary celebration brought together a parade of distinguished audience, including top government functionaries, maritime regulators, terminal operators, former ANLCA national presidents, traditional rulers, and key industry players.

​A major highlight of the event was the presentation of special awards to outstanding trade actors and regulators, including the presentation of an award by the National President of ANLCA, Emenike Nwokeoji, to Comptroller the comptroller General of Customs in recognition his sterling, purposeful, energetic and leadership excellence.

​Stakeholders present unanimously commended ANLCA’s national executive, elders, and general membership for serving as a reliable bridge between the federal government and the business community, driving seamless trade facilitation across Nigerian ports.

Past presidents, sole administrators and acting presidents at the occasion include Chief Peter Eloka Okocha, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, Chief Ernest Elochkwu, Dr. Colins Kayode Farinto, Alhaji Abdullazeez  Mukaila; and the Vice President, Prince Segun Oduntan.

Also on ground was the BoT Chairman, Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha, former BoT Chairman, Chief Henry Njoku, Patron, Prince Oyeniyi, all board members and chapter chairmen.

Additional photos during the ocassion