ANLCA Hails Akinola’s Appointment as Minister Oyetola’s Media Aide

The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has warmly congratulated Dr. Bolaji Akinola on his recent appointment as the Media and Communications Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.

In a press statement issued Saturday by ANLCA President, Emenike Nwokeoji, the association expressed strong optimism that Dr. Akinola’s extensive experience and understanding of the maritime sector would be invaluable in bridging the gap between industry stakeholders and the Ministry.

Specifically, ANLCA urged Dr. Akinola to leverage his new role to advocate for the revitalization of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) under Minister Oyetola’s leadership. The association highlighted the persistent high cost of doing business at Nigerian ports, which is driving customs brokers to neighboring countries and negatively impacting their businesses.

Nwokeoji described Dr. Akinola as a “seasoned professional with a wealth of experience” that would significantly benefit Nigeria’s clearing and customs brokerage community. He expressed confidence that this appointment would foster a stronger relationship between the Ministry and industry operators, a connection ANLCA believes has been lacking.

“We believe that Dr. Akinola’s coming on board would further avail the ministry firsthand information on happenings in the sector, allowing him to understand the impact of government policies on operators and facilitate actionable feedback for the overall growth of the sector,” the ANLCA President stated.

ANLCA commended Minister Oyetola for the appointment, deeming it “a round peg in a round hole.” The association acknowledged Dr. Akinola’s established reputation within the Nigerian maritime space, recognizing his track record of analyzing and influencing key government policies affecting the industry.

“As one of the critical stakeholders in the sector of the Marine and Blue Economy ministry, we are satisfied to note that the Minister has appointed a seasoned maritime expert onboard his administration. We believe that Dr. Akinola would provide the access for needed interaction with the Ministry, which would further enhance the ease of doing business at our ports,” the statement added.

Dr. Akinola brings over 25 years of deep industry knowledge in maritime and corporate communications to his new advisory role. As the CEO of Ships & Ports Communication Company, he is a well-respected voice on port reforms, maritime security, shipping development, and the Blue Economy. His impressive academic credentials include a Doctorate in Media and Communications, an MBA, and a Master of Transport Management, alongside memberships in numerous professional bodies.

In his new capacity, Dr. Akinola will be responsible for shaping media relations, guiding communication strategies, and ensuring effective dissemination of information regarding the Ministry’s initiatives.

His appointment signals Minister Oyetola’s commitment to strengthening the Ministry’s communication framework and clearly articulating the vision and achievements within the vital Marine and Blue Economy sector.