By: Joy Enamuna

Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), has praised the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) for its recent intensive training program for freight forwarders held at the Customs Training College in Ikeja, Lagos.

Following the conclusion of the one-week training on emerging administrative and operational trends in customs clearance processes, Chief Ezisi expressed gratitude to the NCS for providing executive-level training to NAGAFF members and other affiliated associations.

Reflecting on the significance of the training, Chief Ezisi stated, “This level of training for freight forwarders from the NCS is unprecedented. The current CGC, Wale Adeniyi MFR, demonstrates a clear commitment to advancing the capabilities of customs officers and fostering responsible social engagement in their duties. I am informed that he is actively collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria on fiscal and monetary policies.”

The training sessions, which were highly informative, educational, and interactive, facilitated discussions on operational challenges among freight forwarders and high-ranking customs officials, including Assistant Comptroller Generals and Customs Area Controllers. Topics covered included new cargo clearance procedures, cargo inspection protocols, fast track processes, and updates on the new CEMA Act, among others.

Additionally, participants gained valuable insights into customs dispute resolution mechanisms, export processes, and identified potential causes of operational delays attributed to terminal operators and shipping companies, leading to demurrages.

In a related address, Deputy Comptroller General AG Saidu PhD; DCG TRADOC, speaking on behalf of CGC Adewale Adeniyi MFR, acknowledged the significance of the workshop and expressed appreciation to all stakeholders for their participation.