SEREC Issues Wake-Up Call On Leadership Evolution In Nigeria’s Freight Forwarding Sector

SEREC Issues Wake-Up Call On Leadership Evolution In Nigeria’s Freight Forwarding Sector

Fwdr Dr Eugene Nweke Head Research SEREC

By Frank Odinukaeze

The Sea Empowerment and  Research  Centre (SEREC) initiative has called for urgent leadership reform in Nigeria’s freight forwarding industry, warning that internal conflicts and resistance to change are threatening the sector’s survival in the face of sweeping government reforms and rapid technological advancements.

In its August 2025 Bulletin titled “Wake-Up Call: The Imperative of Leadership Evolution in Nigeria’s Freight Forwarding Industry”, Fwdr.Eugene Nweke,Head of Research of the organisation,said the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has modernized operations through legislative reforms, anti-bribery measures, whistleblower protections, and the adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to curb maritime fraud and boost compliance.

However, the group expressed concern that many freight forwarding associations remain bogged down in “internal bickering, supremacy tussles, and litigations,” leaving them unprepared for the global shift toward high-tech logistics.

SEREC urged industry leaders to leverage the benefits of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding Practice in Nigeria (CRFFN), particularly the streamlined collection of the Professional Operating Fee (POF), which could provide quarterly or yearly subventions for member training and welfare.

The bulletin stressed that collaborative engagement with CRFFN could strengthen regulation, improve compliance, and ensure adequate support for professionals in the sector.

Bridging the Professional Gap
Highlighting a “professional advancement gap,” SEREC warned that without targeted investment in capacity building, Nigerian freight forwarders risk losing competitiveness to foreign players. The report identified emerging technologies — including blockchain, robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and drones — as essential tools for the modern freight forwarding landscape.

Key Challenges Identified

Persistent leadership disputes within associations

Lack of professionalism and focus on personal gain

Resistance to regulatory and technological change

Threat of foreign dominance due to weak local unity

Recommendations for Reform
SEREC outlined several steps for industry recovery, including embracing technology, fostering collaboration, prioritizing professionalism, protecting local interests, and investing in continuous professional development.

“The future of the industry depends on leaders waking up from their slumber, uniting against divisive interests, and aligning with the global community of freight forwarding nations,” said Fwdr. Eugene Nweke, Registered Freight Forwarder and Head of Research at SEREC.

SEREC concluded with a rallying call for immediate action to create a “more efficient, compliant, and sustainable freight forwarding industry in Nigeria.