Prince Segun Oduntan @60: Celebrating a distinguished Customs broker & trailblazer in Nigeria’s freight forwarding industry

Prince Segun Oduntan is a renowned and accomplished practitioner in Nigeria’s freight forwarding, logistics, and shipping industry. He is the Managing Director/CEO of Settle Systems Nigeria Limited, a leading licensed shipping and freight forwarding company in Nigeria with over 120 staff in its employ. He is also the CEO of Tereseg Logistics Limited, one of the fastest-growing logistics companies in Nigeria, and currently serves as the Vice President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA).

As he joins the club of 60 today, Oduntan is being celebrated for his significant contributions to the growth and development of the nation’s port industry, as well as the profound manner in which he has touched and impacted lives.

His journey is a testament to the power of heritage and hard work. Born in Enugu in 1966 due to his father’s position as a National Sales Manager with National Motors, his business acumen was sharpened by his mother, a formidable textile merchant with multiple shops in the Dosumu area of Lagos Island and Alade Market in Shomolu.

Watching his mother take deliveries at factories in Ikeja and Iponri instilled in Oduntan an early flair for commerce. “I’ve always had a flair for business; I have an eye for it,” he reflects.

This innate eye for business meant that his entry into the maritime sector after graduating from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, with a degree in Mass Communication, was no accident. Though he initially followed a friend into the field via a brother who was a Customs officer, Oduntan quickly found his calling.

What started as an interest in the bustle of the airports and seaports during his secondary school days at Conveyor Cargo Services evolved into the birth of Settle Systems Limited in 1998.

Today, Settle Systems operates as a powerhouse at all sea and airports across Nigeria, with major offices in Apapa, Ikeja, Port Harcourt, and Abuja.

Under his leadership, the company has diversified into a conglomerate that includes YSL Properties, Settle Motors, and Settle Courier Services, which is currently licensed by NIPOST with plans to obtain international license to compete with global giants like DHL.

With a reputation for intergrity, Oduntan has distinguished himself through his mastery of trade facilitation and coompliance, ensuring his clients enjoy fast clearance through the ports.

Beyond his professional success, Prince Oduntan has further distinguished himself through acts of patriotism and a deep-seated humanitarian spirit.

Through his unwavering commitment to capacity building and both direct and indirect mentorship, Prince Oduntan has empowered no fewer than 20 members to secure their own operating licenses.

Furthermore, as a Prince of Ikorodu, Oduntan has turned his success into a ladder for others, including those in his community solely sponsoring the education of no fewer than 15 students, including eight in tertiary institutions and several others studying abroad.

Within the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Oduntan has been a tireless advocate for progress and dialogue. When he led the Tin Can Island Port Chapter as Chairman, Oduntan did not just lead; he transformed the Chapter hitherto in comatose, providing operational vehicles and constant electricity and bringing stability through dialogue and teamwork during times of crisis.

In his role as Vice President of the association, Oduntan has proved to be a loyal and dependable ally.Whether he is representing the association in the President’s absence or driving internal growth, his every move is always dedicated to fostering unity and collective progress.

Reflecting on his journey in the past 6 decades, Oduntan attributed his success and achievements to God’s grace and the wisdom of living with an open heart, as well as maintaining a peaceful approach to life.

“I don’t bother myself with unnecessary things. I take things each day as it comes, I don’t engage in what will give me undue pressure. I don’t have a bank loan, I don’t take more than what I can chew, so I cut my cloth according to my size. I sleep when I need to andI make time for exercise, ” he said.

To unwind, Oduntan says he enjoys playing tennis, reading and cherishing a deep bond with his family.

As Oduntan celebrates his birthday today, his life stands as a beacon for the younger generation, proving that integrity, hardwork and a commitment to service are the true keys to a meaningful legacy. In an ever- evolving maritime land scape, Oduntan remains a shinning example of how professional excellence can transform the industry.