Manager of Nigeria’s largest indigenous seaport cargo handling company, Sifax Group has expressed excitement over an international recognition by the World Customs Organisation (WCO) for rendering exceptional service to the international Customs community.
The WCO presented a “Certificate of Merit” to Sifax Group during the 2025 International Customs Day celebration in Abuja, Nigeria, with the theme “Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security, and Prosperity.”
During the award presentation, the WCO commended SIFAX Group for its strategic importance and the excellent service that has become the hallmark of the business conglomerate.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) is an intergovernmental organization headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. WCO works on customs-related matters including the development of international conventions, instruments, and tools on topics such as commodity classification, valuation, rules of origin, collection of customs revenue, supply chain, security, and international trade facilitation, among others.
SIFAX Group is one of the few organisations recognized from Nigeria by WCO at the event.
The award was presented by the Chief of Defence of Staff, General Christopher Musa.
According to Ian Saunders, WCO Secretary General, the honour was bestowed on the company “for rendering exceptional service to the international Customs community.”
L-R: Olumuyiwa Akande, Group Head, Corporate Communications, SIFAX Group; Oliver Omajuwa, Deputy Director, Strategy and Operations, SIFAX Group; Dera Nnadi, Assistant Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service; Ololade Dawodu, Head, Clearing and Forwarding, SIFAX Shipping; and Joshua Auta, Head, Abuja Operations, SIFAX Group, at the presentation of Certificate of Merit to SIFAX Group by the World Customs Organisation (WCO) at the International Customs Day celebration in Abuja, recently.
While responding to this recognition, Chairman, SIFAX Group, Dr Taiwo Afolabi lauded both WCO and the Nigeria Customs Service for identifying and honouring the critical role the company has played in facilitating trade globally in its over three decades of operations.
He said: “SIFAX Group has received different awards from stakeholders and governments all around the world, but this honour is special because of the critical role WCO plays in supporting customs administrations globally to facilitate trade and deliver efficient services.
“SIFAX Group has over the years developed a culture of excellent service, stakeholder management, relationship building and community impact for the overall good of the business ecosystem. We are glad that our impact is felt and rewarded not only in Nigeria but globally. We want to thank WCO for this honour and promise this will spur us to up our game in meeting and exceeding expectations in quality service delivery and societal impact.”
Afolabi also lauded the Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service, Mr Wale Adeniyi, for his exceptional leadership that has resulted in unprecedented achievements by the Service since he assumed office.
SIFAX Group is a leading multinational organization with investments in maritime, aviation, logistics, oil and gas, hospitality, and financial services. With decades of experience and a commitment to operational excellence, SIFAX Group continues to drive economic growth and development across Africa and beyond.
