The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) will mark its 72nd anniversary in September 2026 as a body still grappling with internal divisions and a lingering crisis of confidence in its leadership.
Many industry observers had expected the current National President, Chief Emenike Nwokeoji, to build on the goodwill he earned during his tenure as Vice President under Prince Olayiwola Shittu.
That expectation was heightened by the turbulent leadership transitions that followed the Shittu administration, which many members believed had weakened the association’s cohesion.
For decades, ANLCA has struggled with competing interests and internal divisions, leading to the emergence of several rival freight forwarding associations formed by aggrieved members.
Even today, the crisis within the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) Chapter remains unresolved, underscoring the association’s enduring governance challenges.
Many stakeholders, however, regard the eight-year administration of Prince Olayiwola Shittu as a defining period in ANLCA’s history.
His tenure is widely credited with remarkable achievements in human capital development, infrastructure expansion, international recognition, ethical reforms and a renewed commitment to the association’s founding ideals.
As Nwokeoji completes three years in office this August, his administration has attracted mixed reactions. His emergence was initially welcomed by many members who saw him as a natural successor to the Shittu era.
However, expectations have gradually given way to growing disappointment among sections of the membership, many of whom argue that his administration has fallen short of its campaign promises.
Several members who spoke with MMS Plus expressed frustration over what they described as a lack of responsiveness by the National President to concerns raised by stakeholders.
Some further alleged shortcomings in interpersonal relationship management and leadership style. These remain allegations expressed by members who also described him as “absentee president”.
To obtain the National President’s perspective, MMS Plus sought an interview with Chief Nwokeoji regarding his administration’s performance. Despite repeated efforts over several weeks, the interview did not materialise.
His recent media briefing to announce activities marking ANLCA’s 72nd anniversary, however, offered some insight into his administration’s position.
During the briefing, Nwokeoji maintained that ANLCA members had become more organised and professionally equipped through various training programmes organised in collaboration with industry stakeholders.
While he highlighted these capacity-building initiatives, he did not provide statistics or measurable indicators of their impact.
Some members have questioned the administration’s performance using measurable benchmarks.
They asked how many new customs licence holders had joined ANLCA during the current administration, considering that membership is tied to ownership of operational licences. Others sought information on the number of dormant licences reactivated under the present leadership—an area widely regarded as one of the notable achievements of Shittu’s administrations.
These concerns raise a broader question: what is the defining vision of the current administration? A clearly articulated vision, supported by measurable achievements and aligned with campaign promises, would provide members with objective criteria for assessing leadership performance.
At the media briefing, as reported by _Maritime_ _Today Online,_ ANLCA unveiled a comprehensive programme to celebrate its 72nd anniversary.
Activities include a novelty table tennis championship, empowerment initiatives for members, widows, elderly members and other vulnerable groups within the association.
The anniversary celebration is scheduled for September 29, 2026, at the Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
Expected guests include the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi; the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, who is expected to speak on port infrastructure development; and maritime lawyer, Dr. Emeka Akabogu, who will deliver a keynote lecture.
According to Nwokeoji, the last major anniversary celebration was held 12 years ago during the administration of Prince Olayiwola Shittu when ANLCA celebrated its 60th anniversary.
He noted that over the past seven decades, ANLCA had evolved into a more professional association whose members are increasingly embracing technology and modern customs procedures through local and international training programmes.
“The most important thing we are celebrating is our unity,” he said. “We have gone through difficult periods, but God has helped ANLCA emerge even stronger.”
Nwokeoji acknowledged that his administration had faced opposition from some members whom he described as “saboteurs,” arguing that internal disagreements were often driven by political interests rather than the collective good of the association.
He maintained that while dissenting opinions are inevitable in any organisation, public attacks against the association’s leadership undermine institutional unity.
The National President also praised the Nigeria Customs Service, particularly under the leadership of Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi, for driving reforms that have modernised customs operations.
According to him, ANLCA members have continued to undergo extensive training to align with ongoing digital transformation within Customs, including participation in National Single Window capacity-building programmes.
He admitted that quackery still exists within the freight forwarding profession but expressed optimism that increased digitisation and professional training are gradually eliminating unqualified operators.
Providing further details of the anniversary programme, Chairman of the Organising Committee and ANLCA Vice President, Prince Segun Oduntan, disclosed that a novelty table tennis tournament involving all chapters nationwide would hold on September 27 at Not Bad Sports Arena, Egbeda, Lagos.
He explained that the competition is designed primarily to foster unity and interaction among members before the anniversary celebration on September 29.
Oduntan added that members arriving from Eastern ports and Northern chapters would use September 28 to settle in before the main event.
Beyond the sporting event, he said the anniversary programme would feature empowerment initiatives targeted at widows, elderly members and other less privileged members of the association, reflecting ANLCA’s commitment to social welfare alongside professional development.
As ANLCA celebrates 72 years of existence, the anniversary presents not only an opportunity to reflect on its remarkable legacy but also to confront lingering questions about leadership, institutional cohesion and the strategic direction required to strengthen Nigeria’s oldest freight forwarding association in the years ahead.
