The Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC) has issued a pressing call to the Federal Government, urging it to intervene immediately in the escalating crisis among freight forwarding associations across Nigeria. the group has warned that the nation’s economy is at risk if the disputes remain unresolved.
Mr. Eugene Nweke, the head researcher at the centre, delivered the cautionary message in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja. he stressed that a failure to address the ongoing disagreements could cripple operations at the nation’s major ports, thereby posing significant risks to the national economy as a whole.
The appeal underscores the gravity of the situation and highlights the urgent need for government action to stabilize a critical sector of the economy.
“We call on the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy to urgently look into the challenges facing the freight forwarding industry.
“This is particularly important given the strained relationship between the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) and various associations,” he said.
He cited the recent call by the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) to deregister some associations.
These include the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA).
He added that the inclusion of AREFF and NAFFAC in the deregistration call was a serious matter that should not be ignored.
“While there are valid arguments both for and against deregistration, we believe a more inclusive and strategic approach is needed to address the root causes,” he added.
Nweke stressed the need for ministerial intervention to end disputes and stabilise the freight forwarding sector, which played a crucial role in Nigeria’s international trade, logistics, and commerce.
He noted that ongoing tensions between CRFFN and freight forwarding associations had created uncertainty and instability, threatening long-term industry viability.
According to him, the CRFFN’s current regulatory framework should be reviewed to ensure it is effective, inclusive, and able to capture the interests of all stakeholders.
He urged the Federal Government to investigate the operations of CRFFN and the associations; ensuring due process was followed across all freight forwarding activities at the ports.
“Government engagement with all industry stakeholders, including logistics providers, is essential to ensure that decisions benefit the sector as whole, not just specific associations,” he said.
He called for a review of the CRFFN’s mandate and the pending amendment to Act 16 of 2007, currently before the National Assembly, to address ambiguities contributing to the crisis.
“Given the vital role freight forwarding plays in the maritime sector and the broader economy, the government must take proactive steps to address the industry’s challenges,” Nweke stated.
He also urged stakeholders to uphold professionalism and work toward restoring sanity within the freight forwarding profession.
