Trade Facilitation: FOU ‘A’ Ag. Controller Afeni Meets Stakeholders, Assures of Seamless Operations
Trade Facilitation: FOU ‘A’ Ag. Controller Afeni Meets Stakeholders, Assures of Seamless Operations
By Success Okezie
In a renewed drive to enhance efficiency and promote seamless trade operations, the Acting Controller of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’, Nigeria Customs Service, Deputy Comptroller Olukayode Oladapo Afeni, has reiterated the Service’s commitment to robust stakeholder collaboration across the South-West maritime corridor.
DC Afeni made the call on Friday, October 2, 2026, while engaging maritime stakeholders at a strategic parley held at the Unit’s Conference Hall in Lagos.
The meeting, which drew major players from across the trade value chain, was convened to strengthen partnership, address operational challenges, and fashion out practical solutions for facilitating legitimate trade while sustaining effective enforcement.
According to a statement by the Unit’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Hussaini Abdullahi, the interactive session provided a rare opportunity for stakeholders to interface directly with the Ag. Controller and his management team on issues impeding the free flow of legitimate trade within the Zone.
In his address, DC Afeni emphasized that stakeholder engagement remains the bedrock of modern Customs administration, noting that the Nigeria Customs Service, under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, is committed to balancing trade facilitation with strict enforcement of fiscal policies.
He maintained that sustainable progress in the maritime sector can only be achieved through continuous dialogue, mutual trust and shared responsibility.
“Trade facilitation is not a one-man business. It is a shared responsibility that demands the collective commitment of all actors in the supply chain. Our doors remain open to genuine concerns, and we are determined to address operational challenges within our mandate while sustaining professionalism in all our dealings with the maritime community,” Afeni stated.
The Ag. Controller further charged freight forwarders, licensed Customs agents and importers to embrace the culture of voluntary compliance through sincere and accurate declarations.
He warned that false declaration and non-compliance not only erode revenue but also create avoidable delays and disputes in the clearance chain.
“Honest declaration is the fastest route to seamless clearance. When traders are transparent and compliant, the system works faster, costs are reduced and integrity is entrenched in our trade ecosystem,” he stressed.
In their separate remarks, stakeholders lauded the Ag. Controller for his inclusive leadership style and for sustaining the Unit’s open-door policy. They described the engagement as timely and assured the Service of their readiness to partner with Customs in promoting compliance, transparency and ease of doing business.
Industry watchers say the engagement marks yet another deliberate step by the FOU Zone ‘A’ towards consolidating stakeholder confidence, improving revenue assurance, promoting honest trade practices, and advancing the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business agenda, while remaining firm on its core mandate of suppressing smuggling and cross-border economic crimes.
About The Author
