The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has announced the launch of a nationwide inspection of licensed Customs-bonded warehouses and terminals. This initiative responds to growing concerns about operational inefficiencies, inadequate infrastructure, and poor service delivery within Nigeria’s cargo logistics chain.
A statement signed by
Dr. Increase Uche,
Head, NAGAFF Trade Advocacy Committee, stressed that the inspection, led by a Special Technical Assessment Team, will evaluate the operational status, service capabilities, and overall viability of bonded warehouses and terminals. The goal is to promote efficiency and compliance with industry standards, strengthen trade facilitation and cargo clearance processes, and provide evidence-based policy recommendations to government and stakeholders.
The Technical Team will assess cargo-handling equipment (cranes, forklifts, Mafi trucks, reach stackers, etc.), infrastructure and facilities (container bays, examination areas, warehouses, offices, and security systems), capacity utilization and space availability, and staff strength, competence, and customer service quality.
The team will further assess location, accessibility, and support services for cargo operations, compliance with regulatory, safety, and operational standards, technological deployment and digital systems, reliability of power supply.
The exercise will cover all six geopolitical zones, including seaports, airports, inland container depots, and other approved logistics facilities. Findings will provide critical data to drive operational improvements and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness.
The inspection begins on June 15, 2026, with the first visitation to Rolling Grazing Bonded Terminal, located at Kilometer 26, opposite the Foreign Affairs Academy, Lagos/Badagry Expressway, Ijanikin, Lagos State. This facility is regarded as one of the most modern logistics centers in Lagos.
NAGAFF invites media practitioners to participate in the visitation and witness firsthand the findings that will be submitted to government authorities for necessary action.
It is regrettable that many bonded terminals currently fall short of the minimum standards required to operate as licensed logistics centers.