NAGAFF targets port inefficiencies, forms strategic committee to support Tinubu’s trade agenda

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has inaugurated a 16-member Trade War Committee to confront operational inefficiencies, corruption, and excessive regulatory practices at Nigeria’s seaports, in a move aimed at reducing the cost of doing business and strengthening trade facilitation in line with the economic reform agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Aniebonam

The committee was inaugurated in Lagos by the founder of NAGAFF, Boniface Aniebonam, who said the initiative is designed to promote transparency in port operations, improve cargo clearance processes, and restore confidence in Nigeria’s maritime trade system.

Addressing maritime journalists during the unveiling, Aniebonam described the committee as a strategic platform that will gather operational intelligence from port users and provide evidence-based recommendations to support reforms within the maritime sector.

According to him, the body will function as an independent oversight and advisory group domiciled in the Office of the NAGAFF Founder, with responsibility for monitoring port operations and supplying field intelligence, empirical data, and operational reports to relevant authorities, including the Presidency, to support policy decisions and regulatory improvements.

He explained that the committee’s mandate includes strategic trade advocacy, operational monitoring, policy intelligence gathering, and institutional engagement aimed at addressing systemic inefficiencies and exploitative practices affecting freight forwarders and logistics operators at the ports.

Aniebonam noted that persistent allegations of corruption, cargo delays, and high logistics costs continue to undermine Nigeria’s competitiveness in global trade, warning that such challenges could also weaken the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu if left unchecked.

He therefore called on relevant authorities to investigate reported cases of corruption involving port officials, strengthen oversight mechanisms, and implement reforms capable of improving efficiency and accountability within the maritime industry.

The NAGAFF founder also urged regulatory agencies and other stakeholders in the maritime sector to support the initiative, describing it as a collective effort to sanitise the port environment and safeguard the interests of legitimate traders.

The Trade War Committee is made up of professionals drawn from the trade, legal, media, and technology sectors. It is expected to monitor port activities, simplify cargo documentation processes, address excessive regulatory practices, and propose policy solutions aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s trade competitiveness.

Dr. Increase Uche will serve as Chairman of the committee, while Dr. Arthur Igwilo will act as Secretary. Other members include Chief Patrick Ogbo (Research and Trade Intelligence), Dr. Fred Ajuzie (Operations and Strategic Coordination), Dr. Clement Iwegbuna (Media and Public Communications), Dr. Segun Musa (Special Duties), Ikechukwu Iwegbuna and Kelvin Mbachu (Information Technology), Miss Hilda Ometere (Special Duties), Barristers Brian Onyiuke, Peter Ofikwu, Ola Rotimi, Lawrence Ezeudu and Okwudili Alagbu (Legal Affairs), Professor Iyiola Oni (Consulting and Strategic Advisory), and Kingsley Anaroke (Media Consultant).

Nigeria’s seaports have long faced criticism over cargo delays, high transaction costs, and allegations of sharp practices that increase the burden on importers and exporters.

Industry stakeholders believe the establishment of the Trade War Committee could help generate actionable intelligence, strengthen accountability, and drive reforms capable of repositioning Nigeria’s ports as more efficient gateways for international trade.