NAGAFF President urges PTML Customs to sustain support for freight forwarders

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its partnership with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), urging the Port and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command to sustain its support for freight forwarders and improve engagement with industry stakeholders.

The association’s National President, Tochukwu Ezisi, made the call on Thursday, October 15, 2026, during a courtesy visit to the PTML Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Nura Ibrahim Miko, accompanied by newly elected executives of the NAGAFF PTML Chapter.

Ezisi urged the command to maintain open communication with the chapter’s leadership, particularly when disagreements or operational challenges arise, assuring that the association’s national leadership would intervene where necessary to resolve disputes.

He acknowledged that differences in disposition and approach were inevitable in a large organisation such as NAGAFF, stressing that effective leadership required understanding and managing such differences through dialogue.

The NAGAFF president also highlighted the role of the association’s compliance team, whose slogan, “If you see something, say something,” reflects its commitment to identifying and reporting compliance concerns.

While commending Miko for the support extended to freight forwarders operating at PTML, Ezisi appealed for the cordial relationship to be sustained and for the chapter to continue receiving assistance where necessary.

He explained that NAGAFF was a non-profit organisation whose national headquarters depended substantially on the contributions and activities of its chapters to discharge its responsibilities.

Responding, Miko assured the association of the command’s continued cooperation, describing the relationship between Customs officers and freight forwarders at the terminal as cordial.

He commended NAGAFF’s organisational structure, particularly its investment in training and capacity development through its training school, noting that professional development was important to effective port operations.

The acting controller also recalled his previous engagements with the association’s leadership, praising Ezisi for maintaining contact with the Service and ensuring that NAGAFF was represented at stakeholder meetings whenever he was unavailable.

Miko said the command regarded Customs officers and freight forwarders as members of the same operational community, adding that mutual understanding and cooperation were essential to maintaining harmony at the port.

He disclosed that the command had continued engaging terminal operators on the need to improve the working environment for Customs officers and freight forwarders, expressing hope that the discussions would produce better conditions for stakeholders.

The Customs chief also encouraged freight forwarders to report shortcomings in the conduct of officers, assuring them that the command would take such feedback seriously and use it to improve service delivery.

He, however, urged stakeholders to recognise good performance alongside reporting misconduct, emphasising that constructive engagement, mutual respect and collaboration were necessary for effective operations.

Miko commended NAGAFF members for generally approaching the command to discuss issues when they arose, reaffirming his management team’s readiness to sustain cooperation with the association and other maritime stakeholders.

In his remarks, NAGAFF Vice President Simeon Nwonu described the visit as a homecoming, recalling Miko’s previous relationship with the association during his service at the Apapa Command.

Nwonu said the association was encouraged by the acting controller’s assurance that he would remain accessible to stakeholders and sustain the cordial relationship for which he was known.

He thanked Miko and his management team for the reception, expressing confidence that freight forwarders operating at PTML would benefit from continued engagement with the command.

The NAGAFF vice president also offered prayers for the career advancement of Customs officers and other stakeholders, expressing hope that the existing cooperation between the association and the Service would continue.