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NAGAFF Laments Corruption, Extortions In Maritime Sector Innuagurates Trade War Committee

By Anne Ejuka


The massive corrupt practices in the Maritime Sector of the Nigerian economy had been condemned by the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) saying the act negates and undermines the Renewed Hope Agenda of of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

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‎The Founder of NAGAFF, Dr Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam,  made this assertion in Lagos last Friday during the official innuaguration of a 16-man committee codenamed "NAGAFF Trade War Committee" established to checkmate corrupt practices in the maritime sector.

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‎Speaking to the media during the event, Dr. Aniebonam said the establishment of the committee was very strategic as it is aimed at confronting the escalating trade malpractices being perpetrated by some government agencies and other critical stakeholders saying these practices directly threaten the cargo documentation and clearance value chain within the Nigerian port system.

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‎Aniebonam said the establishment of the committee was in response to the persistent exploitation, regulatory excesses, and operational bottlenecks experienced by traders, importers, and freight forwarding practitioners operating within the Nigerian ports environment.

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‎"Accordinly, the NAGAFF Trade War Committee is hereby constituted and domiciled in the office of the Founder of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders. The committee is mandated to undertake strategic trade advocacy, operational monitoring, policy intelligence gathering and institutional engagement aimed at addressing systemic inefficiencies and exploitative practices affecting port users and logistics operators across Nigeria’s international ecosystem.” Aniebonam stated.

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‎He lamented the current level of exploitation within the port environment, saying it undermines the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he reiterated that the situation became more concerning when some presidential appointees within the maritime and port administration system appear not to be contributing effectively and efficiently to the reform objectives of the administration due to allegations of corruption, regulatory capture, and weak institutional accountability.

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‎“The Trade War Committee shall therefore function as an independent oversight and advisory platform, working closely with higher authorities to provide credible field intelligence, empirical evidence and first hand operational reports from activities within Nigerian ports. The initiative is designed to ensure that the Presidency is furnished with unfiltered,  evidence-based insights supported by verifiable documentation. Such information will support informed policy decisions, regulatory reforms, and strategic appointments within the maritime and port governance architecture, in line with the national anti-corruption framework,” the NAGAFF founder enthused.

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‎Dr Aniebonam called on all relevant authorities, regulatory agencies, and stakeholders to cooperate with the initiative as they work collectively towards sanistizing the system, protecting the interests of genuine traders, and strengthening Nigeria’s position in global trade.

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Members of the committee in include Dr. Increase Uche-chairman, Chief Patrick Ogbo-research and trade intelligence; Dr Author Igwilo-Secretaty, Dr Fred Adjuzie-Operations and Strategic Coordination, Dr. Clement Iwegbuna-Media and Public Communication; Dr. Segun Musa-Special Duties, Ikechukwu Iwegbuna-Information Technology; Kelvin Mbachu-Information Technology, Miss Hilda Ometere- Special Duties and Barr. Brian Onyiuike-Legal Affairs.

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‎Others are Barr. Peter Ofikwu-Legal Affairs, Barr. Ola Rotimi-Legal Affairs; Barr. Lawrence Ezeudu-Legal Affairs, Barr. Okwudili Alagbu-Legal affairs; Prof Iyiola Oni-Consulting and Strategic Advisory and Mr. Kingsley Anaroke - Media Consulting.

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