Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has called on the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) to take swift action in addressing key challenges affecting the freight forwarding industry.
This appeal was made by NAGAFF President, Tochukwu Ezisi (RFF), during the visit of CRFFN’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kingsley Igwe, to the association. Ezisi emphasized that the visit underscored the importance of collaboration between NAGAFF and CRFFN in advancing the industry.
While acknowledging CRFFN’s role in regulating and enhancing freight forwarding operations in Nigeria, Ezisi outlined specific demands aimed at resolving long-standing industry concerns. These include:
- Resolution of outstanding issues – Establishing a clear roadmap to address unresolved matters, including the payment of the Practitioners Operating Fee (POF).
- Stronger regulation and enforcement – Curbing the activities of unlicensed and unregistered freight forwarders.
- Increased stakeholder engagement – Regular consultations with NAGAFF and other industry players to ensure inclusivity in decision-making.
- Capacity building and training – Implementing continuous training programs to enhance the skills of freight forwarders.
- Recognition of NAGAFF’s role – Ensuring the association is acknowledged as a critical stakeholder in industry governance.
Ezisi stressed that these requests are necessary for fostering a productive relationship between CRFFN and NAGAFF, expressing optimism about continued dialogue on the matter.
In response, CRFFN CEO Kingsley Igwe addressed a common misconception, clarifying that the council does not regulate the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) but operates as a sister agency under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, alongside organizations like NIMASA and the Shippers’ Council.
Igwe further highlighted CRFFN’s renewed commitment to capacity building as a key strategy for addressing industry challenges. He acknowledged past shortcomings in professional training and pledged to improve implementation, drawing from his own experience in the sector.
“We may not have gotten it right in the past, but this time around, we have no choice but to get it right,” Igwe stated.
He also announced that CRFFN would decentralize training programs, making them more accessible by holding sessions at port terminals instead of expensive or remote institutions.
“Under my leadership, training will be brought to the port terminals where anyone interested can participate. This way, no one will have an excuse for not understanding the industry after the training,” he added.