ANLCA President, Nwokeoji Honoured as Customs Broker of the Year

BY KESIENNA SHEPHERDS

The Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, was aglow on March 30, 2026, as the maritime industry gathered for the investiture ceremony of the Annual Maritime Industry Merit Awards (MIMA).

Among the evening’s highlights was the decoration of Sir Emenike Kingsley Nwokeoji, President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), as Customs Broker of the Year.

Although Nwokeoji was unavoidably absent, his presence was strongly felt through the representation of ANLCA’s Board of Trustees Chairman, Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha, who led the association’s executive leadership to the event. Mustapha, speaking on behalf of the ANLCA family, described the award as “A recognition of the resilience and professionalism that Sir Nwokeoji has consistently brought to customs brokerage in Nigeria.”

“This honour is not just for one man; it is for the entire customs brokerage community that he represents. Sir Nwokeoji has been a beacon of integrity and innovation, and we are proud to see his efforts acknowledged at this prestigious platform,” Mustapha said.

Nwokeoji’s career has been marked by a commitment to reforming customs practices, advocating for transparency, and strengthening collaboration between customs agents and government authorities. His leadership at ANLCA has been pivotal in navigating challenges such as port congestion, regulatory bottlenecks, and the push for digitalization in cargo clearance.

Industry analysts note that his recognition as Customs Broker of the Year comes at a time when Nigeria’s maritime sector is under pressure to modernize and align with global best practices. The award underscores the critical role of customs brokers.