Customs Agents Criticize Unity Bank Over Server Downtime Impacting N120 Billion Worth of Cargo

Licensed customs agents under the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) have criticized Unity Bank following a server downtime that has prevented agents from capturing jobs and paying customs duties since September 2, 2024.

APFFLON President Frank Ogunojemite stated that the system breakdown has made it impossible for agents to pay customs duties, resulting in accruing demurrage and rent on cargoes at seaports and airports. Ogunojemite estimates that over N120 billion worth of cargo has been affected in just three days, with APFFLON members alone accounting for over N60 billion.

“We have been unable to capture and pay for our customs duty since Monday due to challenges at Unity Bank. The bank has been unable to resolve the hitches and demurrage is accruing,” Ogunojemite said. He added that switching banks is not an option as transactions must be completed with the bank where the Form M was opened and the job was captured.

In response, Unity Bank’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Matthew Obiazikwor, stated that the bank is working on resolving the issue: “We are upgrading one of our applications. That is what is causing the issues. It is not as if our system is shut down. It became epileptic at some point, we worked on it over time and it started again. So we are working to restore it.”