{"id":10812,"date":"2026-03-12T10:59:35","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T10:59:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beadysword.com.ng\/blog\/?p=10812"},"modified":"2026-03-12T10:59:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T10:59:35","slug":"nagaff-sets-up-trade-war-committee-to-fight-corruption-and-extortion-at-nigerian-ports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beadysword.com.ng\/blog\/2026\/03\/12\/nagaff-sets-up-trade-war-committee-to-fight-corruption-and-extortion-at-nigerian-ports\/","title":{"rendered":"NAGAFF Sets Up \u201cTrade War Committee\u201d to Fight Corruption and Extortion at Nigerian Ports"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nigeria\u2019s <\/span>port <\/span>system <\/span>is <\/span>once <\/span>again <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>spotlight\u2014<\/span>this <\/span>time <\/span>with <\/span>a <\/span>bold <\/span>new <\/span>move <\/span>from <\/span>the <\/span>National <\/span>Association <\/span>of <\/span>Government <\/span>Approved <\/span>Freight <\/span>Forwarders (<\/span>NAGAFF)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>founder <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>association, <\/span>Boniface Aniebonam<\/span><\/span>, <\/span>has <\/span>announced <\/span>the <\/span>creation <\/span>of <\/span>a <\/span>16-<\/span>member <\/span>Trade <\/span>War <\/span>Committee<\/span><\/strong> aimed <\/span>at <\/span>confronting <\/span>corruption, <\/span>extortion, <\/span>and <\/span>operational <\/span>abuse <\/span>at <\/span>Nigerian <\/span>ports.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>new <\/span>committee <\/span>is <\/span>expected <\/span>to <\/span>act <\/span>as <\/span>a <\/span>strong <\/span>monitoring <\/span>and <\/span>reporting <\/span>body <\/span>that <\/span>will <\/span>expose <\/span>illegal <\/span>practices <\/span>affecting <\/span>freight <\/span>forwarders, <\/span>traders, <\/span>and <\/span>logistics <\/span>operators <\/span>across <\/span>the <\/span>country.<\/span><\/p>\n

T<\/span>The <\/span>committee <\/span>was <\/span>created<\/span><\/h3>\n

Speaking <\/span>at <\/span>a <\/span>press <\/span>briefing <\/span>in <\/span>Lagos, <\/span>Aniebonam <\/span>said <\/span>the <\/span>committee <\/span>will <\/span>focus <\/span>on <\/span>identifying <\/span>and <\/span>confronting <\/span>the <\/span>growing <\/span>number <\/span>of <\/span>challenges <\/span>facing <\/span>port <\/span>users.<\/span><\/p>\n

For <\/span>years, <\/span>many <\/span>freight <\/span>forwarders <\/span>have <\/span>complained <\/span>about <\/span>unofficial <\/span>charges, <\/span>delays, <\/span>and <\/span>regulatory <\/span>bottlenecks <\/span>that <\/span>increase <\/span>the <\/span>cost <\/span>of <\/span>doing <\/span>business <\/span>at <\/span>Nigerian <\/span>ports.<\/span><\/p>\n

According <\/span>to <\/span>him, <\/span>the <\/span>committee <\/span>will <\/span>go <\/span>beyond <\/span>complaints <\/span>and <\/span>begin <\/span>gathering <\/span>real <\/span>operational <\/span>evidence <\/span>from <\/span>the <\/span>ports<\/span><\/strong>. <\/span>That <\/span>information <\/span>will <\/span>then <\/span>be <\/span>used <\/span>to <\/span>push <\/span>for <\/span>reforms <\/span>and <\/span>hold <\/span>the <\/span>right <\/span>institutions <\/span>accountable.<\/span><\/p>\n

What <\/span>the <\/span>Trade <\/span>War <\/span>Committee <\/span>will <\/span>do<\/span><\/h3>\n

The <\/span>committee <\/span>has <\/span>been <\/span>designed <\/span>as <\/span>an <\/span>independent <\/span>oversight <\/span>and <\/span>advisory <\/span>platform<\/span><\/strong> within <\/span>NAGAFF. <\/span>Its <\/span>job <\/span>is <\/span>to <\/span>monitor <\/span>port <\/span>operations <\/span>and <\/span>provide <\/span>practical <\/span>recommendations <\/span>to <\/span>improve <\/span>the <\/span>system.<\/span><\/p>\n

Its <\/span>key <\/span>responsibilities <\/span>include:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • \n

    Gathering <\/span>real-<\/span>time <\/span>operational <\/span>intelligence <\/span>from <\/span>Nigerian <\/span>ports<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Reporting <\/span>verified <\/span>findings <\/span>to <\/span>the <\/span>Presidency <\/span>and <\/span>relevant <\/span>authorities<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Providing <\/span>data <\/span>and <\/span>evidence <\/span>to <\/span>support <\/span>maritime <\/span>policy <\/span>reforms<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Monitoring <\/span>activities <\/span>across <\/span>the <\/span>international <\/span>trade <\/span>and <\/span>logistics <\/span>chain<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Engaging <\/span>institutions <\/span>and <\/span>regulators <\/span>on <\/span>practical <\/span>solutions <\/span>to <\/span>port <\/span>challenges<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    The <\/span>goal, <\/span>according <\/span>to <\/span>NAGAFF, <\/span>is <\/span>to <\/span>move <\/span>beyond <\/span>talk <\/span>and <\/span>begin <\/span>delivering <\/span>real <\/span>solutions <\/span>that <\/span>can <\/span>improve <\/span>efficiency <\/span>and <\/span>transparency <\/span>at <\/span>the <\/span>ports.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Leadership <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>committee<\/span><\/h3>\n

    The <\/span>newly <\/span>formed <\/span>Trade <\/span>War <\/span>Committee <\/span>will <\/span>be <\/span>led <\/span>by <\/span>Dr <\/span>Increase <\/span>Uche<\/span><\/strong> as <\/span>chairman.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Other <\/span>members <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>team <\/span>include <\/span>professionals <\/span>from <\/span>legal, <\/span>research, <\/span>technology, <\/span>media, <\/span>and <\/span>policy <\/span>backgrounds.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Key <\/span>members <\/span>include:<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    • \n

      Dr <\/span>Increase <\/span>Uche \u2014 <\/span>Chairman<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Chief <\/span>Patrick <\/span>Ogbo \u2014 <\/span>Research <\/span>and <\/span>Trade <\/span>Intelligence<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Dr <\/span>Arthur <\/span>Igwilo \u2014 <\/span>Secretary<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Dr <\/span>Fred <\/span>Adjuzi\u00e9 \u2014 <\/span>Operations <\/span>and <\/span>Strategic <\/span>Coordination<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Dr <\/span>Clement <\/span>Iwebguna \u2014 <\/span>Media <\/span>and <\/span>Public <\/span>Communication<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Dr. <\/span>Segun <\/span>Musa \u2014 <\/span>Special <\/span>Duties<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Ikechukwu <\/span>Iwebguna \u2014 <\/span>Information <\/span>Technology<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Kelvin <\/span>Mbachu \u2014 <\/span>Information <\/span>Technology<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Miss <\/span>Hilda <\/span>Ometere \u2014 <\/span>Special <\/span>Duties<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Barr. <\/span>Brian <\/span>Onyiuike \u2014 <\/span>Legal <\/span>Affairs<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Barr. <\/span>Peter <\/span>Ofikwu \u2014 <\/span>Legal <\/span>Affairs<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Barr. <\/span>Ola <\/span>Rotimi \u2014 <\/span>Legal <\/span>Affairs<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Barr. <\/span>Lawrence <\/span>Ezeudu \u2014 <\/span>Legal <\/span>Affairs<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Barr. <\/span>Okwudili <\/span>Alagbu \u2014 <\/span>Legal <\/span>Affairs<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Prof. <\/span>Iyiola <\/span>Oni \u2014 <\/span>Consulting <\/span>and <\/span>Strategic <\/span>Advisory<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Mr <\/span>Kingsley <\/span>Anaroke \u2014 <\/span>Media <\/span>Consultant<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      The <\/span>diverse <\/span>team <\/span>is <\/span>expected <\/span>to <\/span>provide <\/span>expertise <\/span>across <\/span>legal, <\/span>operational, <\/span>and <\/span>policy <\/span>areas.<\/span><\/p>\n

      A <\/span>push <\/span>against <\/span>port <\/span>exploitation<\/span><\/h3>\n

      Aniebonam <\/span>also <\/span>warned <\/span>that <\/span>ongoing <\/span>exploitation <\/span>and <\/span>inefficiencies <\/span>at <\/span>Nigerian <\/span>ports <\/span>could <\/span>undermine <\/span>ongoing <\/span>reforms <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>maritime <\/span>sector.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Nigeria\u2019s <\/span>ports <\/span>play <\/span>a <\/span>major <\/span>role <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>country\u2019s <\/span>economy, <\/span>handling <\/span>most <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>nation\u2019s <\/span>imports <\/span>and <\/span>exports. <\/span>Any <\/span>corruption <\/span>or <\/span>inefficiency <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>system <\/span>directly <\/span>affects <\/span>businesses, <\/span>government <\/span>revenue, <\/span>and <\/span>trade <\/span>competitiveness.<\/span><\/p>\n

      According <\/span>to <\/span>him, <\/span>some <\/span>regulatory <\/span>challenges <\/span>and <\/span>weak <\/span>accountability <\/span>structures <\/span>have <\/span>allowed <\/span>illegal <\/span>practices <\/span>to <\/span>persist <\/span>within <\/span>the <\/span>port <\/span>system.<\/span><\/p>\n

      <\/h3>\n

      NAGAFF <\/span>is <\/span>urging <\/span>regulatory <\/span>agencies <\/span>and <\/span>stakeholders <\/span>across <\/span>the <\/span>maritime <\/span>industry <\/span>to <\/span>cooperate <\/span>with <\/span>the <\/span>new <\/span>committee.<\/span><\/p>\n

      The <\/span>association <\/span>believes <\/span>tackling <\/span>corruption <\/span>and <\/span>extortion <\/span>will <\/span>require <\/span>collaboration <\/span>between <\/span>freight <\/span>forwarders, <\/span>regulators, <\/span>government <\/span>agencies, <\/span>and <\/span>private <\/span>operators.<\/span><\/p>\n

      If <\/span>successful, <\/span>the <\/span>initiative <\/span>could <\/span>help <\/span>improve <\/span>transparency, <\/span>reduce <\/span>operational <\/span>costs, <\/span>and <\/span>create <\/span>a <\/span>more <\/span>efficient <\/span>port <\/span>environment <\/span>for <\/span>legitimate <\/span>traders.<\/span><\/p>\n

      The <\/span>real <\/span>impact <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>Trade <\/span>War <\/span>Committee <\/span>will <\/span>become <\/span>clearer <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>coming <\/span>months.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Key <\/span>things <\/span>to <\/span>watch <\/span>include:<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      • \n

        The <\/span>committee\u2019s <\/span>first <\/span>investigative <\/span>reports<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Evidence <\/span>and <\/span>findings <\/span>from <\/span>port <\/span>operations<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Policy <\/span>recommendations <\/span>submitted <\/span>to <\/span>government <\/span>authorities<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Reactions <\/span>from <\/span>regulators <\/span>and <\/span>port <\/span>agencies<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Any <\/span>measurable <\/span>reduction <\/span>in <\/span>extortion <\/span>and <\/span>illegal <\/span>charges<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        For <\/span>many <\/span>industry <\/span>observers, <\/span>this <\/span>move <\/span>by <\/span>NAGAFF <\/span>signals <\/span>a <\/span>more <\/span>aggressive <\/span>approach <\/span>to <\/span>confronting <\/span>corruption <\/span>and <\/span>inefficiency <\/span>within <\/span>Nigeria\u2019s <\/span>port <\/span>system<\/span><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

        If <\/span>the <\/span>committee <\/span>delivers <\/span>on <\/span>its <\/span>mandate, <\/span>it <\/span>could <\/span>become <\/span>an <\/span>important <\/span>voice <\/span>pushing for accountability<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and <\/span>real <\/span>reform <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>country\u2019s <\/span>maritime <\/span>sector.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Nigeria\u2019s port system is once again in the spotlight\u2014this time with a bold new move from the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF). The founder of the association, Boniface Aniebonam, has announced...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":10813,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10812","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/beadysword.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10812","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/beadysword.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/beadysword.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beadysword.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beadysword.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10812"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/beadysword.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10812\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10814,"href":"https:\/\/beadysword.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10812\/revisions\/10814"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beadysword.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10813"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/beadysword.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10812"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beadysword.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10812"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beadysword.com.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10812"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}