The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has advocated a policy reform that would extend the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) licence validity period for freight forwarders practising from the current one-year term to two years.

APFFLON made this call in a congratulatory message to the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, on his two years in office.
In the message signed by the National President, Frank Ogunojemite, the association noted that this change would not only improve the ease of doing business but also serve as a legacy of Adewale’s administration.

According to Ogunojemite, a two-year licence will reduce administrative bottlenecks, enhance operational efficiency, and allow freight forwarders to focus more on their core activities.

The freight forwarders highlighted four key benefits of the proposed reform, which include enhancing operational efficiency, noting that a longer license validity period would reduce the frequency of renewals, would free up time and resources, enabling freight forwarders to improve service delivery.

The association also highlighted promoting regulatory compliance, emphasising that a longer validity period could encourage greater adherence to customs regulations, fostering a culture of compliance.

They also pointed to boosting investor confidence, noting that providing stability through longer licensing will likely attract more investment into the freight forwarding sector, leading to enhanced capacity and better infrastructure.

The group further emphasised strengthening industry growth, adding that a more streamlined licensing regime would create a conducive environment for expansion within Nigeria’s logistics and trade ecosystems.

Ogunojemite expressed confidence that under Adewale’s leadership, such a progressive policy could be adopted and implemented, noting that it aligns with the Comptroller-General’s broader vision of customs modernization and trade facilitation.

APFFLON reaffirmed its support for the NCS and expressed hope for continued improvements in customs and logistics under the current administration.