The President of the Association of Nigeria Customs Brokers and the National Compliance Joint Task Force of Licensed Customs Agents (NCJTFLCA), Dr. Basil Nwolisa, has urged Nigerians to rise against “Socialised Corruption,” warning that the nation risks collapse if systemic extortion and abuse are left unchecked.
This call to action comes with the launch of his new book, a handbook for unraveling corruption, designed to expose the tricks and game plans of those who exploit ordinary citizens.
Nwolisa condemned corruption on Nigerian highways as a “criminal enterprise in motion”, noting that citizens are often harassed, intimidated, and in some cases assaulted by security operatives and impostors. He revealed that readers of the book had already drawn courage from its message, citing a viral confrontation between civilians and Customs operatives in Ondo State, where those involved confirmed they were inspired by the book.
The book, which has been selling for two months on various platforms, is a call to revolution against corruption and lack of transparency in daily life. Nwolisa emphasised that Nigeria cannot survive forever if corrupt practices continue unchecked, pointing out that even elections are not free from its grip.
He clarified that his call for revolution is not a call to violence but to citizen advocacy and accountability. He urged journalists to play their role in exposing abuse and demanding transparency from government, military, and paramilitary officers. Using trade as an example, he queried why citizens continue to face multiple layers of extortion after clearing their goods at ports.
Despite facing harassment and arrests after some public engagements, Nwolisa remains undeterred. “The Bible says the first to enter the lake of fire are the fearful. Fear is what has kept Nigeria in chains. We must free ourselves from fear to defeat corruption”, he declared.
The launch of the handbook was followed by the inauguration of new executives for the Apapa Chapter of the NCJTFLCA.
Nwolisa’s call to action has sparked a renewed sense of purpose among Nigerians to demand accountability and transparency in their daily lives.