Freight Forwarders Launch Committee to Tackle Corruption and Inefficiencies at Nigerian Ports
Freight forwarders in Nigeria have renewed calls for the elimination of corrupt practices and operational bottlenecks at the nation’s seaports, as the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) inaugurated a 16-member “Trade War Committee.”
The committee is tasked with addressing long-standing inefficiencies and exploitative practices affecting port users, including traders, importers, and logistics operators within Nigeria’s international trade system.
Speaking at the inauguration, NAGAFF founder, Boniface Aniebonam, said the initiative was a direct response to persistent challenges such as regulatory excesses, cargo clearance delays, and exploitation within the port environment.
According to him, these malpractices pose a serious threat to the cargo documentation and clearance value chain in Nigeria’s port system.
He explained that the newly formed committee would focus on trade advocacy, operational monitoring, policy intelligence gathering, and engagement with relevant institutions to drive reforms across the sector.
Aniebonam also expressed concern over alleged inefficiencies among some officials within the maritime administration, noting that accusations of corruption, weak accountability, and regulatory capture continue to undermine reform efforts.
He added that the committee would operate as an independent oversight and advisory body, working with authorities to provide verified field intelligence, empirical data, and firsthand reports from port operations.
The initiative, he said, is designed to ensure that decision-makers receive accurate, evidence-based insights to guide policy formulation, regulatory improvements, and strategic appointments in line with the country’s anti-corruption agenda.
READ ALSO:
