After 10-Years, John Okhosimhe’s Committee Puts ANLCA Back on IFCBA Register

By DAPO OLAWUNI

The John Okhosimhe-led Biometric and International Relations Committee of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) which was reconstituted by the ANLCA National President, Emenike Nwokeoji in June 2025 has successfully regularised the registration of the association on the International Federation of Customs Brokers Association (IFCBA).

Speaking exclusively with DAILY TREND in Lagos last week, Chairman of the Committee, Mr John Okhosimhe said that the Emeritus President of ANLCA, Prince Olayiwola Shittu has first put the association on the IFCBA, but that subsequently, there was no follow-up by the association.

Our correspondent gathered that IFCBA membership usually expires, as it is based on annual fees. Also, members must pay the annual membership fee each year to remain current and in good standing. 

Speaking Okhosimhe said that his 4-man committee on getting into office, took it as a challenge upon themselves to put ANLCA back on the International pedestal which it had enjoyed in the past during former Prince Shittu’s first tenure in office.

“The registration was something that we achieved seamlessly through God’s grace and exposure, because we have been actually yearning to be in that platform over the years.
Our former president, the one we call President Emeritus, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, did so much to put us on that platform. There was no follow-up afterwards.

“I have to take it up as part of my priority when I was given this opportunity to serve in this International Relations Committee and Membership Biometric, so I took it up and followed it up, and through the support of President Shitu too, I was able to get the connection of the Freight Forwarders Association of Liberia’s President that virtually linked me up with the Secretary General of that organization, which is Carol West.

“Through my conversation and relationship with her, we were able to arrive at that position”

​Okhosimhe said that it has been over 10 years that ANLCA has been looking up to achieving this milestone.
​According to him, IFCBA is one of the biggest bodies when it comes to maritime associations in the world.

Speaking on the advantages that membership of IFCBA offers ANLCA members, he said “IFCBA is one of the biggest bodies when it comes to freight forwarding, one of the biggest bodies when it comes to port operators, one of the biggest bodies when it comes to custom brokers, it is one of the biggest bodies that every association and organization into all these industries want to affiliate with.

“And the benefits are enormous. One of the benefits is that through IFCBA, you can become a member of WCO (World Customs) and also have the opportunity of having a board seat in WCO. That is one of the biggest benefits.

“Through IFCBA, you can also reach out to other associations and bodies all over the world that will provide you opportunities and networking privileges to project what you are doing and also attract patronage from international companies, industries and organizations.

“The committee, presently, we are a four-man committee. I’m the chairman and we have the former secretary general of the association as my vice chairman, Dr. Opara, and we have Gideon as my Secretary and we have Nifemi as our assistant secretary” he concluded