The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has urged the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to consider extending the licence validity period for freight forwarders from one year to two years.
This recommendation was part of a goodwill message to Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, commemorating his two years in office. In a statement issued by APFFLON’s National President, Frank Ogunojemite, the group emphasized that increasing the licence duration would significantly reduce bureaucratic hurdles. According to the association, freight forwarders spend considerable time and resources on annual renewals—resources that could be better used to enhance their operations and service delivery.
Benefits of policy change
APFFLON outlined four major advantages of the proposed policy change. First, it would boost operational efficiency by minimizing the frequency of administrative procedures. Second, it could promote better compliance with customs regulations, as a more stable licensing system may encourage professionals to uphold industry standards.
Additionally, the association believes that a two-year licence would strengthen investor confidence in Nigeria’s logistics sector. By providing a sense of stability and reducing regulatory uncertainty, the industry could attract more private investment and experience growth in infrastructure and capacity. Lastly, APFFLON noted that the change would create a more enabling environment for long-term development in freight forwarding and logistics.
Expressing optimism, Ogunojemite said the proposal aligns well with the ongoing customs modernization efforts under Adeniyi’s leadership. He reaffirmed the association’s support for the NCS and voiced hope for continued reforms that will benefit the entire trade and logistics ecosystem in Nigeria.