SEA EMPOWERMENT CENTER URGES MINISTER TO REFORM FREIGHT FORWARDING INDUSTRY

SEA EMPOWERMENT CENTER URGES MINISTER TO REFORM FREIGHT FORWARDING INDUSTRY

…..calls for holistic overhaul of CRFFN, Freight Associations

Fwdr Dr.Eugen Nweke Head,Research SEREC

By Frank Odinukaeze

The Sea Empowerment and Research Center (SEREC), a maritime policy advocacy group, has written an open letter to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, urging immediate and sweeping reforms in the freight forwarding sector.

In the letter signed by Fwdr Eugene Nweke, a prominent industry expert and former National President of NAGAFF, SEREC warned that the freight forwarding industry is teetering on the brink of collapse due to internal conflicts, weak regulation, and lack of strategic leadership by the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN).

The letter was titled “Urgent Need to Revisit and Reform the Freight Forwarding Industry in Nigeria” and raised concern over recent calls by NAGAFF for the deregistration of four major freight forwarding associations: the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), the African Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (AREFF), and the National Association of Freight Forwarders and Consolidators (NAFFAC).

While acknowledging the controversies surrounding these associations, SEREC emphasized the need for a broader, more inclusive review rather than knee-jerk reactions.

“This call has highlighted the need for a holistic approach to reforming the industry. While there are valid arguments both for and against the deregistration of these associations, we believe that a more comprehensive and inclusive approach is necessary,” Nweke wrote.

SEREC pointed to years of political interference, self-serving interests among former council members, and failure of oversight as the major causes of instability in the sector. It noted that the CRFFN, which was supposed to regulate and professionalize freight forwarding, has instead been embroiled in controversies that have weakened its mandate.

According to the letter, since 2015, political and financial interests have overshadowed the council’s core responsibility, which has led to distrust among stakeholders.

The organization outlined five major recommendations to the Minister:

1. Thorough Investigation into the operations of CRFFN and the associations;

2. Stakeholder Engagement to identify root causes of instability;

3. Regulatory Framework Review of the CRFFN Act;

4. Promotion of Industry Stability to encourage professionalism;

5. Revisiting the Pending Amendment to the CRFFN Act (Act 16 of 2007) currently before the National Assembly.

SEREC also urged the Minister to exercise his oversight powers as provided in the CRFFN Establishment Act to set the sector on a new path.

“Reform Now, or Never!”

In a strongly worded conclusion, SEREC stressed the urgency of the matter.

“There’s no better time to reinforce sanity in the freight forwarding profession than now. Reform now, or never!” the letter concluded, urging the Minister to act decisively in national interest.

The freight forwarding industry plays a vital role in international trade, customs revenue generation, and logistics efficiency. With increasing pressure from stakeholders and industry watchdogs like SEREC, the Ministry may soon be forced to take bold steps toward a sector-wide overhaul.