Customs Invoice Rule Sparks Protest at Lagos Airport as New Controller Takes Charge

Freight agents at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) launched protests Tuesday following a sudden announcement by newly redeployed Customs Area Controller (CAC) Comptroller Micheal Awe, who declared that all cargo invoices must now be submitted and verified before clearance. The directive, issued earlier today, has paralyzed operations at key terminals, with agents demanding urgent revisions to the “unworkable” policy.

Comptroller Awe, who took over the MMA Command from Comptroller Yusuf Mohammed on recently, emphasized the rule during a briefing Thursday, stating it aims to “facilitate legitimate trade” and curb revenue leaks. However, agents argue the abrupt invoice requirement, without streamlined systems or grace periods, will cause severe delays and financial losses.

“This is a recipe for chaos. How can we comply overnight?”
a protesting agent told Bolbuk News.

The protests erupted hours after the announcement, with dozens of agents refusing to process shipments and blocking access to cargo terminals.

Industry sources claim the MMA Command, which handles over 65% of Nigeria’s air imports, lacks the digital infrastructure to efficiently validate thousands of daily invoices.

“This isn’t reform it’s sabotage,” said a logistics coordinator for a major electronics importer. “Goods will rot at the airport while paperwork piles up.”

Comptroller Awe defended the policy as critical to combating under declared imports and fraud.

“We must build on past successes, but compliance is non negotiable,” he said.

The crackdown aligns with broader federal efforts to tighten customs oversight, though critics note Nigeria’s customs modernization initiative promised by 2025 has yet to resolve chronic bottlenecks.

As tensions escalate, an emergency dialogue between customs and Agents should be considered.

“This policy cannot stand without upgrades to systems and staff training,” an Agent said.

Meanwhile, protesters vow to continue their strike until the rule is suspended. Bolbuk News will provide updates as this story develops.