of Doc Aniebonam cutting the tape at the new office.
Story by Dili Utomi.
In a bid to make its enforcement arm more effective, the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), a front line pressure group for the advancement of the welfare of all freight forwarders in the country has re-launched it’s 100% Compliance Team.
NAGAFF bigwigs gathered Friday at the new office of the 100% Compliance Team within the Eleganza Plaza in Apapa with renewed determination to grant the Team better impetus to perform.
The Coordinator of the 100% Compliance Team is Ibrahim Tanko, a seasoned campaigner on all things compliance. He opened the floor for speeches and statement of intentions. Mr. Tanko while speaking said “Today, we commission the new secretariat of the 100% Compliance Team and we are ready to take this Team to a higher pedestal”.
He noted that the Team is getting an office in Port Harcourt and that hopefully the new office will be opened in February. He added that ” We are working hand in hand with the Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Anti-Corruption Practices Commission (ICPC) to make Nigeria stronger. We shall also expand this new place to accommodate the TDI, that will also hopefully happen in February”.
The general secretary of the association, Emeka Godfrey Nwosu in his remark says that ” The ational coordinator is totally assured of the headquarters total support”.
The founder of NAGAFF, Doc. Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam in his speech noted that ” The willingness of NAGAFF leaders to add value has been the driving force behind the association. This platform will continue to leverage on ethical standards to always be professionally revered”.
He advised those who are involved in the day to day running of the Compliance Team “to understand that the limit of your position. The saying ‘See something, say something’ is very observatory. Always refer to your president and coordinator”.
” Do note that the Port is a Customs Port, if Customs has not released your cargo, do not make trouble until it is done, if it is released on the ground of expedience, also remember that other sister agencies are also there to intervene. The NAGAFF approach is centred on dialogue, communication, diplomacy and discussion “. Dr. Aniebonam promises that new chapters are coming up in Kebbi, Katsina and Sokoto among other areas.
On his part, the president of NAGAFF noted that when the NAGAFF 100% Compliance Team was inaugurated four years ago., the industry was at crossroads, compliance gaps, procedural inconsistencies, and operational shortcuts were undermining efficiency and eroding trust. Many wondered whether a single team could truly shift the culture of an entire industry.
The president, Chief Tochukwu Ezisi went on to list out the roles that the Compliance Team has played in the last four years, these he said include:
Raising the level of regulatory compliance among freight forwarders nationwide.
Reduced infractions that previously led to delays, penalties, and operational setbacks.
Strengthened collaboration with key government agencies, especially the
Nigeria Customs Service. , Promoted ethical conduct and professionalism within our ranks.
Contributed significantly to improved revenue assurance for the Federal
Government.
Enhanced the reputation of NAGAFF as a responsible, forward-thinking, compliance-driven organization.
Chief Ezisi slso set ambitious targets for the NAGAFF 100% Compliance Team, these include:
1. Full Digital Compliance Integration. Every member must align with emerging digital platforms, automation systems, port community platforms, and electronic documentation.
“Our goal is to make NAGAFF the most digitally compliant freight forwarding body in Nigeria”.
2. Reduce Compliance Infractions by 60% Within Two Years Through training, monitoring, and proactive engagement, we must drastically reduce errors that lead to seizures, penalties, or delays.
3. Strengthen Institutional Collaboration
We must deepen our partnership with Customs, NPA, SON, NAFDAC, and other regulators to promote transparency, fairness, and predictability in port operations.
Doc. Aniebonam flanked by other officers of NAGAFF while making his speech.
4. Establish a National Compliance Intelligence Network. This network will help us detect risks early, identify patterns of malpractice, and protect our members from avoidable pitfalls.
5. Build a Culture of Ethical Leadership Compliance is not only about rules — it is about values.
The Team Coordinator, Ibrahim Tanko also spoke with journalists after the commissioning, he said that the lull in activities of the Team had resulted from a little internal matter that needed to be sorted out.
He promised that “from today, you will start seeing the effects of a new Compliance
Team”. On the question of discipline, he said that “every society is made up of the good the bad and the ugly, but we are doing everything possible to sanitise the system and to cotinue to maintain discipline”.
He promised that they will continue to.supplement the training efforts of the NAGAFF Academy by loading with Customs Area Commands for regular refresher courses in certain areas such as classification. He also noted that the Team is digitising all its activities.
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