Maritime

Crffn Plans New Standard For Agents

Published

14 years ago

April 12, 2012

The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Sir, Mike Jukwe has declared that the council will soon evolve a standard trading practice to guide the operations of freight forwarders, inspections agents, banks, and customs.

Sir Jukwe made this known, when he paid a courtesy visit to Nagaff Village in Lagos stated that if anything goes wrong, the freight forwarders will be protected by the guidelines unlike before when they are left alone when problem arises.

According to him, “The Freight Forwarders role is as important as that of the customs service, they are partners with customs, and at the appropriate time, a percentage of the practicing fee paid into the federation account, will be granted us”.

“There will soon be a standard trading practice to guide the operations of a freight forwarder, inspection agents, banks and customs, and if anything goes wrong the freight forwarder will be protected by the guideline, unlike before when they are left alone when problem arises,” he said.

Sir Jukwe, congratulated the founder and Chairman BOT Nagaff, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam for all his efforts towards the success of the council over years.

On practicing fee, Jukwe said, the issue of practicing fee is ongoing, we have been discussing about it with the people concerned, out of what will have put in the federation account, a percentage will go to ewach association, according to what is due to them.

“In the register we have 1435 individuals who were registered as Freight Forwarders in Nigeria as of 28th January 2012 and 405 corporate companies.

He further warned that individuals can not practice the profession except you belong to a company.

He noted that for the council to succeed, we need to work in harmony.

The Registrar also informed the Freight Forwarders that the tenure of the present Governing Council of CRFFN will expire in August 2012 and new members will be elected into various key positions.

5 to cargo Airport and Border and there will be 15 positions in all, adding modalities for elections will be made known soon.

“As for customs brokers, there is need for training, we are professionals and not touts. We should be proud of our profession,” adding as such, the title of the profession should go before our name and it should also be included on our letter headed papers”.

“Once the institution of training is registered, different courses offers after years of study, you will have qualification such like a fellow, a certified customs, brokers, etc.

In his welcome address, the National President, Nagaff, Mr. Eugene Nweke stated that the visit is indeed historic in the existence of Freight Forwarding practice in Nigeria, adding that the vision to revolutionalise freight forwarding practice in Nigeria was concerned and nurtured in Nagaff over 12 years ago.

Nweke thanked the council for their visit noting that the council visit was a “home coming” that will put the history of Freight forwarding in Nigeria in proper perspective.

“As our regulatory body, we would definitely need your support and encouragement in fostering sustainable customs brokerage practice in the country through these affiliations and profound political representations in CRFFN’s governing council.

Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

Maritime

CILT Nigeria Seeks Anti- graft Agency Collaboration

Published

3 days ago

April 27, 2026

The Tide

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transportation, CILT has sought collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC towards enhancing interconnectivity through a multimodal logistics and transportation system that involves the rail, road, sea, motorways and pipelines.

The request was made last week when the President and chairman of Council, CILT, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, led other executives on a courtesy visit to the Executive Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede at the Commission’s corporate headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.

“We can collaborate with the EFCC in terms of advocacy. When I’m talking of advocacy, I’m talking about the issue of the transport and logistics sector.

“We can have anti-corruption awareness within the transport sector. Another key issue has to do with professional ethics and training. We believe that we can collaborate with EFCC in the area of public transport as regards to integrity programmes for industry professionals and also research policies addressing logistics vulnerabilities in financial crimes,” he said.

He also identified logistics and supply chain expertise as another area of collaboration with the EFCC.

According to him, “There’s no way you can conduct an investigation without bumping into the issue of logistics and transportation. We believe that we can look into this and offer professional memberships to your members of staff at different levels.

“We believe if they are members of the institute, it will lessen the cost of your investigation.

“In our Academy, We can also offer to deliver lectures in this area to enhance professionalism. So, before your Cadets pass out from the Academy, members of the Institute can make lectures to be delivered in the areas of logistics and transport so as to enhance their professionalism.

“,At the end of the day, they will have professional certificates and also have enhanced capacity to investigate the issues of logistics and transportation.”

He blamed the delay in the clearance of goods in Nigerian seaports to logistical inadequacies.

“There’s so much serious problem in logistics in Nigeria, so many duplications. And it’s not giving Nigeria a good image. You are talking about bringing investors.

0″I don’t want to bring investors if it would take weeks to clear their goods,” he said.

By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

Maritime

Nigeria Customs, Malaysia Strengthen Bilateral Agreement ….As Trade Hits 1.82tr in 5 Years

Published

3 days ago

April 27, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has advanced its strategic engagement with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD).

This followed an official visit by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to the RMCD Headquarters on the sidelines of his participation at DSA Malaysia 2026.

The engagement comes against the backdrop of expanding bilateral trade, with Nigeria’s imports from Malaysia increasing from NGN 159.9 billion in 2020 to NGN 716.0 billion in 2024, and cumulative trade value reaching approximately NGN 1.82 trillion over a five-year period.

The Nigeria customs boss was received by the Director-General of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Dato’ Haji Amran bin Haji Ahmad, whose appointment in March 2026 reflects a strong reform-oriented leadership in enforcement and regulatory administration.

Both leaders held high-level discussions focused on institutional collaboration, customs modernisation, and coordinated border management frameworks to strengthen efficiency and regulatory integrity.

The Comptroller-General emphasised that the scale and trajectory of Nigeria–Malaysia trade relations necessitate a more structured and formalised customs-to-customs partnership.

He noted that Malaysia remains a significant trading partner to Nigeria, with key imports including crude palm oil, refined palm olein, jet fuel, food preparations, machinery, and other industrial inputs.

He further underscored the critical role of customs administrations in facilitating legitimate trade while safeguarding national economic and security interests.

Both administrations acknowledged the absence of a formal legal framework guiding bilateral customs cooperation despite longstanding trade relations.

To address this gap, both parties agreed to initiate processes toward establishing a Mutual Recognition Agreement under the framework of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), to be pursued through appropriate diplomatic channels.

This initiative is expected to provide a structured basis for cooperation, enhance mutual trust, and support reciprocal trade facilitation measures.

The engagement also provided an opportunity for the Royal Malaysian Customs Department to present its evolving border management architecture, including the establishment of the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) as an integrated frontline border control body.

In his aresponse, the Comptroller-General highlighted the Nigeria Customs Service’s Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme and other trade facilitation frameworks designed to ensure predictable clearance processes, reduce transaction costs, and strengthen compliance.

Both sides emphasised the importance of deeper collaboration in intelligence sharing, enforcement coordination, and technology-driven border management, particularly in addressing illicit trade and transnational trafficking.

To this end, the NCS reiterates its commitment to strengthening bilateral and multilateral partnerships as part of its broader modernisation agenda.

The Service noted the outcome from this engagement will enhance operational capacity, improve trade facilitation, and reinforce border security, while supporting Nigeria’s economic growth objectives.

As part of ongoing efforts to deepen institutional collaboration, the Comptroller-General also used the opportunity to visit the Nigerian Diplomatic Mission and Defence Office in Malaysia, commending their roles in advancing Nigeria’s interests and supporting nationals abroad.

By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

Maritime

Customs Deploys Seven Patrol Vessels, Boost Waterway Anti-smuggling

Published

3 days ago

April 27, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Customs Service NCS has deployed seven operational patrol vessels to Western Marine Command to combat smuggling and other maritime crimes

The vessels, comprising two gunboats and five logistics boats, were officially handed over to the Command recently, increasing its fleet to significantly enhance patrol coverage and rapid response capacity within its area of responsibility.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Comptroller of Western Marine Command, Patrick Ntadi, said the deployment reflects the Service’s strategic commitment to strengthening enforcement across critical maritime corridors.

“These assets are a clear demonstration of our resolve to secure Nigeria’s waterways against economic sabotage and transnational crimes.

“We are not only expanding our operational capacity but also ensuring that our officers are better equipped to respond swiftly and effectively,” he said.

Ntadi described the expanded fleet as a major boost to ongoing anti-smuggling operations, noting that it addresses previous logistical challenges and strengthens deterrence along key waterways.

“The fight against smuggling is dynamic, and we must remain proactive.

“This deployment, alongside continuous training and inter-agency collaboration, will significantly improve our enforcement outcomes and protect national revenue,” he added.

To support the effective deployment of the vessels, officers of the Command recently underwent an intensive training programme conducted by SEWA Africa Ltd, the contractor responsible for the boats.

The training focused on handling techniques, safety procedures, and operational efficiency.

Representative of SEWA Africa Ltd, Steven Okitiape, explained the training was designed to enhance both competence and safety among officers.

“This training serves as both a refresher and a capacity-building initiative, ensuring that officers can maximise the performance of these vessels while maintaining the highest safety standards,” he said.

By: CHINEDU WOSU