Olori Haastrup, Dantsoho, Customs CGC, Zacch Adedeji, Peter Okocha Others Set to Headline ANLCA @72 Anniversary
Group photograph of ANLCA NECOM members and Chapter executives at a press briefing towards its forthcoming 72-Years Anniversary in Lagos on Monday
By DAPO OLAWUNI
Top government functionaries, maritime chieftains, and key industry stakeholders are set to gather in Lagos as the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) marks its 72nd Anniversary from September 27 to 29, 2026.
The announcement was made by Prince Segun Oduntan, ANLCA Vice President and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, during a press briefing on Monday at the association’s National Secretariat in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.
Oduntan revealed that the landmark event is coming 12 years after ANLCA’s 60th anniversary celebration and that it serves as a milestone to celebrate unity, resilience, and the restoration of peace within the association after past internal crises.
“It is something that has pleased God because where there is peace, that is where business and harmony thrives” he said
According to him, the three-day celebration will feature a high-powered gathering of industry decision-makers.
Reeling out names of maritime industry bigwigs expected at the ocassion, he said the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi will serve as the Special Guest of Honour, while former ANLCA National President, Peter Okocha is Chairman for the day.
Other prominent leaders expected to attend include the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, who is scheduled to deliver a presentation on port infrastructure development; and the Chairperson of the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Olori Vicky Haastrup.
Key regulatory figures like the Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Barr. Pius Akutah, and the Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Kingsley Igwe, will also participate fully. Other government agencies like Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) sister freight forwarding associations are also expected to grace the occasion.
According the ANLCA Vice President, the celebration opens on Sunday, September 27, with a novelty Table Tennis Tournament designed to foster bonding among members of the association. Representatives from chapters across the Eastern, Western, Northern, and Southern zones will be flown to Lagos to compete and network.
On Monday, September 28, the association will observe a Remembrance Day to honor deceased members, alongside a nationwide palliative distribution program led by National President Emenike Kingsley Nwokeoji to assist less-privileged members.
The festivities will culminate on Tuesday, September 29, with a grand finale at the Marriott Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos. Running from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, the final day will feature a morning business session followed by an evening gala night dedicated to honoring industry leaders.
Reflecting on the journey so far, Oduntan noted that the anniversary provides an opportunity to show that ANLCA has reclaimed its leading position in driving economic progress and shaping national fiscal policies.
“We have other innovations lined up to show you that ANLCA of today is moving. We have left others behind. And you know that it is only when there is peace that we can thrive.
“If you go to our website now, you would see that ANLCA is there, live and back again.
On that day, we are going to launch our Access Bank card. When you have ANLCA Access Bank card now, you can use it as your ATM. That is ANLCA of today that we are talking about.
“This anniversary celebration is to shame the devil that we have overcome our weaknesses, have looked back and decided to choose peace instead of continuing on the path of chaos. ANLCA of a decade ago is not the ANLCA of today; we have made progress on many fronts. Today, to the glory of God, ANLCA gets involved in all policy planning and developments, and we are working closely with Customs to realize government economic plans,” Oduntan said.
He added that awards would be presented to non-members who had distinguished themselves in the industry, and confirmed that past leaders and elders of ANLCA including; Prince Olayiwola Shittu, Alhaji Mohammed Inua, Sanni Kamba, Ernest Elochukwu and James Idornigie, have been invited to grace the occasion.
Also present at the press briefing were; the Financial Secretary of ANLCA, Hajia Idayat Bola Muse, the Western Zone Secretary, Alhaji Idowu Owoade, National Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Onyeme; the Chapter Chairman of Apapa, Chief Emeka Chukwumalu, PTML chapter chairman, Charles Nwaneri, KLT Chapter Chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Olajide Bello and Tin Can Island chapter chairman, Prince Wale Cole among other top members of ANLCA.
