By Bon Peters
OWERRI/Nigeria: Freight forwarding associations operating under the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone C, Owerri, have pledged closer cooperation with the unit’s Acting Comptroller, Deputy Comptroller Farouk Nadaniya, as the Customs command seeks stronger compliance with trade regulations and improved revenue collection.
The commitment was made on Thursday, October 22, 2026, during a stakeholders’ meeting at the FOU Zone C headquarters in Owerri, where customs agents, importers and exporters expressed their readiness to work with the new leadership.
The engagement also provided an opportunity for Nadaniya to address operational challenges, particularly the backlog of unutilised Single Goods Declarations (SGDs), and remind operators of their obligations under established Customs procedures.
Speaking on behalf of other customs agents, Chief Ifeanyi Isikaku, Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Onne Seaport Chapter, welcomed Nadaniya’s appointment and pledged the association’s continued support.
Isikaku described the Acting Comptroller as an experienced officer familiar with the operations of the Nigeria Customs Service, citing his previous assignments at Onne, including his tenure as Deputy Comptroller in charge of Compliance at the Port Harcourt II Area Command.
He said the agents appreciated Nadaniya’s initiative in convening the meeting and assured him that the cooperation extended to his predecessor would continue under his administration.
“We are happy for your initiative by inviting us to this meeting, and I am assuring you of our unalloyed support and commitment,” Isikaku said.
He added that the associations were prepared to sustain their working relationship with the unit to promote compliance and facilitate legitimate business.
The representatives also expressed satisfaction with the renovation of the FOU Zone C headquarters, describing the improvements they observed during the visit as encouraging.
In his address, Nadaniya thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the Service’s management for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the unit.
He described the appointment as “a great honour and a call to higher responsibility,” adding that his previous assignments had enabled him to build relationships with several operators in the freight forwarding and maritime sectors.
The Acting Comptroller recalled working with some stakeholders during his earlier assignment with the defunct Strike Force, Zone C, and later as Deputy Comptroller of Customs in charge of Compliance at the Port Harcourt II Area Command, Onne.
He said the meeting was intended to strengthen existing relationships, improve mutual understanding and secure stakeholders’ cooperation in implementing the Service’s mandate.
According to Nadaniya, effective Customs operations depend on constructive partnerships between the Service and those involved in importation, exportation, cargo documentation and clearance.
He identified the facilitation of legitimate trade, protection of government revenue, enforcement of Customs laws and the fight against smuggling and other illicit commercial activities as shared priorities.
He stressed that trade facilitation must go hand in hand with compliance, adding that operators who observe the law should be supported while deliberate violations should be addressed in accordance with the law.
A major issue raised during the meeting was the outstanding backlog of unutilised SGDs, which Nadaniya said had become a concern for revenue collection.
He urged customs agents and other affected stakeholders to expedite action on the outstanding declarations, warning that the situation had necessitated the deployment of Customs Police for revenue recovery.
“I urge you to seize this opportunity to address the situation decisively and ensure prompt clearance of all outstanding SGDs,” he said.
Nadaniya also called for strict adherence to established procedures and regulations governing transire operations, urging stakeholders to use the appropriate channels to raise concerns and resolve challenges that could impede legitimate business.
He assured the operators that his administration would pursue an open and constructive relationship with stakeholders, guided by fairness, professionalism, transparency and accountability.
The Acting Comptroller further acknowledged the cooperation extended to his predecessor and appealed to the associations to maintain the same level of goodwill and collaboration.
He said stronger cooperation would help improve operational efficiency, trade facilitation and service delivery within the unit’s area of responsibility.
Those present included Chief Kingsley Offor, a member of the ANLCA Board of Trustees; Mr Chidera Oganuzor, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Odest Global Resources; and Mr Mike Ebeatu, immediate past Chairman of ANLCA, Onne Seaport Chapter.
Others included Chief Chinedu Ikenga, Chairman of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Onne; Dr Ike Okechukwu, Chairman of the Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), Onne; freight forwarder Kolawale Atanda; Chief Bala Rabiu Lawan; Chief Emeka Nwosu; and importers and exporters from Aba, Abia State.
Officers and personnel of the FOU Zone C, Owerri, also attended the meeting.
