Controller Babatunde Olomu Commends NAGAFF For Creative Leadership Initiative in Port Business

By Ebenezer William

The Area Controller of Apapa Ports, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu says the standard of business operations at the Apapa ports is high, transparent and commendable, thereby making the Command a role model for many others that desire effectiveness in business.

Comptroller Olomu made this statement during a familiarization visit to the office of National Association of Government Freight Forwarders (NAGGAF) at Apapa in Lagos State. He noted that NAGAFF has been a credible partner with the Nigeria Customs over the years and this visit is meant to strengthen the existing tie in order to ensure better, decent and legitimate business operation between the government and Nigerians.

Furthermore, Olomu adjured members of NAGAFF and other stakeholders to cooperate with Customs by obeying and complying with rules and regulations in the course of their business deals across board.

Talking about revenue accrual to the Command, Comptroller Olomu said that the Apapa Command realized, 1.37 trillion Naira at the first half of 2025, even as B’Odogwu is working and making business smoother and more effective in the country.

The soft-spoken Comptroller commended NAGAFF for its human capacity development especially in the training of young importers on the rudiments and intricacies of the freight forwarding business. 

He informed the audience present that even in the course of doing their legitimate business which is so demanding, attention should be given to their health which is of paramount importance to every human being. On this note, he informed the audience that the Apapa Command has opened a health centre for Customs officers and men, stakeholders and everyone who does business at the port, to check their health status in a bid to avoid common killer diseases, such as; high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, prostatitis among many more.

In response to the visiting Controller, the founder of NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam extolled the CAC, for his transparency, discipline, and resolve to ensure good business relationship between Customs and freight forwarders.

Aniebonam however warned that the good rapport between customs and NAGAFF is not a mandate for anyone to indulge in illegitimate business. He advised all stakeholders to do a self examination of themselves and a genuine presentation of what is obtainable in the container that they are importing.

Honesty, according to Aniebonam is demonstrated when a freight forwarder puts across ‘destination inspection’, which simply means declaring the actual content of one’s container to the customs.

When asked to shed light on some shady acts of a particular officer who extorts money from importers at the wharf, Comptroller Olomu said that he was not aware of such a dirty development. He however promised to look into it and for that purpose spelt out his telephone contact to the gathering.

 Officials of NAGAFF, which included the founder, president and other dignitaries had a decoration ceremony for the visiting Area Controller.