By Rapheal,Steve Agbota

Copyright thesun

By Steve Agbota

Licensed Customs agents associations and industry trade groups have unanimously demanded the suspension of the proposed increase in license fees by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

The groups, including the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), the Lagos Chamber of Commilestonesustry (LCCI),

Association of Africa Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders ( NAGAFF); National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFFN) took the position after a Committee earlier set by them at an August 21, 2025 meeting in Lagos, submitted a report to the National President of ANLCA, Emenike Nwokeoji.

This is the first time in recent times that the various associations have presented a united front against a policy, which they described as a threat and affront to their profession.

Speaking shortly after presenting the report, Chairman of the Committee and retired Controller of Customs, Lewis Ogunojemite, said the report’s primary recommendation is to suspend the proposed fee increase, emphasising the need for customs to initiate a broader consultation with stakeholders.

He said: “The highlight of our report is that the proposed increase should be put on hold for now. And Customs should get all stakeholders to come together and discuss the fee increase.

He added that Customs need to explain the rationale for the proposed license fee increase, which he described as an unprecedented 2,000 per cent hike.

“First, we all need to know the reason for that increase. And that is why we say it should be put on hold.

“They (Customs) can now tell us exactly what informed that increase. Take note that the increase is about 2,000 per cent. And for me personally, I’ve never seen such an increase in my life.

“The highest increase recommended for any type of investment is 25 per cent. We’re not talking about 100 per cent now, we’re talking about 2,000 per cent. So, what really informed that considering the economic situation of the country with no jobs.

“Mr. President, Tinubu said that any business that is not making up to N50 million in a year will be exempted from taxes, which means the President recognises that there are some people who should be exempted from some taxes. The licensed fee for agents is a tax. Moving from N250,000 to 4 million is outrageous. I don’t know what that means.

“So maybe if the Customs management invites us and tells us why we need such an astronomical increase, we’ll reason with them. But for now, where we stand is that the proposed fee should be suspended, ” he said.

Also speaking, ANLCA National President, Nwokeoji, reiterated stating: “The Associations and Groups are not just rejecting the hike; we are also challenging the logic behind it.

Licensing should not be a revenue tool; it should be a regulatory safeguard.”

He also criticised the Customs’ claim that the hike is necessary to curb abuses, describing it as an admission of failure on the part of Customs.

“Well if the authorities concerned are saying that customs license abuses are part of the reasons they are jacking up the fee, it must be seen as an admission of failure on their part.

“All they need to do is one sentence: no container should be sent to this terminal until they certify that they have equipment to handle services. But they still allow it and turn around to blame us, ” he said.

When asked if the agents would consider consolidating their businesses as a response to the license fee hike, Emenike said forcing consolidation would be counterproductive and stifle the economy.

He said instead of consolidation, Customs should enforce compliance and revoke licenses where necessary.

“We are operating in a democratic country. You don’t force people to work together. The federal government consolidated the banks, not the people. But within the past two years, how many banks have you seen that are coming up? More banks are still coming up. You can’t stifle an economy of over 200 million people.

“People will fizzle out if they have no job. If they still have a job, why must you force them to go into a marriage that will create more problems? What I think the government should do is for the regulatory authorities to live up to their expectations. Customs licensed us and there are so many conditions attached to it.

“How many officers have been sent to jail or are in court when containers sent to bonded terminals disappear on the road? Because the container they were supposed to escort did not get to the destination. That’s where we should start first, ” he said.

According to the Customs proposal, a new license fee would jump from N515,000 to N10 million, while the annual renewal fee would increase from N215,000 to N4 million.

This change, the agents fear, would not only drive many out of business but also concentrate power and control in the hands of a few moneybags, thereby undermining fair trade practice.