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The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has amplified its position as the only constitutionally mandated body for regulatory oversight and freight fee collection in the country.
At a press conference held in Abuja at the weekend, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of CRFFN, Mr. Kingsley Igwe, stated emphatically that the council’s authority, as enshrined in the CRFFN Act No. 16 of 2007, remains valid and enforceable.
Igwe clarified that contrary to misinterpretations making the rounds, the collection of the Practitioners Operating Fee (POF) and the regulatory oversight over freight forwarding operations are both lawful and active. “The POF collection and regulatory oversight over freight forwarding in Nigeria remain valid, lawful, and enforceable,” he said. “Misinterpretation of court processes must not be used to undermine regulatory authority or incite disorder at the ports.”
Reflecting on the history of the council and the freight forwarding industry, Igwe pointed out that the path to the current stability was not without challenges. He acknowledged that the industry had suffered from years of disunity, weak institutional frameworks, and internal instability, which undermined its growth and effectiveness. “For several years, the freight forwarding industry was weighed down by disunity, weak institutional frameworks, and a lack of direction,” he said.
“The Council itself faced internal instability, disjointed leadership, and systemic inefficiencies that hindered its effectiveness and eroded public trust.”
He explained that things began to turn around under the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy. “A new dawn has emerged for the Council and the industry as a whole,” Igwe declared, expressing optimism about the council’s renewed relevance in Nigeria’s logistics landscape.
Igwe explained that under his leadership, internal peace and administrative coherence have been restored within the council. He said structured governance systems have been implemented to ensure a performance-driven culture rooted in transparency, accountability, and responsiveness. “We have developed and are now operating under structured administrative processes that prioritize transparency, accountability, and responsiveness,” he noted.
He added that the CRFFN is now more engaged than ever before with stakeholders, having repositioned itself from a crisis-prone agency to a proactive and professional institution. “The Council is transforming its public image from that of a crisis-ridden agency to a proactive, professional, and visionary institution,” he said. “We are no longer on the sidelines—we are at the heart of the logistics and trade ecosystem, shaping the future of freight forwarding in Nigeria.”
Igwe shared that the council has made significant gains in both institutional performance and stakeholder trust. He cited several milestones, including the recent commissioning of the Zenith Carex Cold Chain Facility in Abuja, which supports food security and pharmaceutical logistics. He also spoke of the launch of a free nationwide training programme for freight forwarders, aimed at equipping thousands with global best practices, regulatory knowledge, and digital tools.
In addition, he noted that the council has begun the process of digitizing and standardizing freight logistics services across the country. This, he said, is a strategic move toward building a tech-enabled and efficient national logistics framework. Regular engagements with stakeholders at seaports, airports, and border posts are ongoing to foster unity, rebuild trust, and ensure that operational practices remain in line with regulatory mandates.
While celebrating these strides, Igwe emphasized that sustained progress will require collective effort and discipline. “Logistics associations must avoid divisive politics, misinformation, and unilateral actions that undermine progress,” he cautioned. “Now is not the time to regress; it is the time to consolidate and advance our collective interests with a unified voice.”
He concluded with a firm appeal for support from all industry stakeholders and the Nigerian public. “I want everybody to know that CRFFN is not only rebuilding itself—it is rebuilding the freight forwarding industry. With your continued support and the backing of the Federal Government, we are confident that Nigeria will rise as a regional logistics powerhouse, with a professionally regulated, technology-driven, and investor-friendly freight forwarding system.”
Earlier in the event, Mrs. Arikewuyo Romoke Rafiate, Head of the Abuja Liaison Office of CRFFN, affirmed that her office is fully committed to strengthening staff capacity and ensuring that the freight sector is adequately professionalized. “In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, we are ready to work to ensure that the efforts of the Registrar in reforming the council come to fruition,” she said.
The event also featured a symbolic moment, as Dr. Adelana Olalekan, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Carex Logistics Limited, presented a commemorative award to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola. The award, he said, was in recognition of the minister’s visionary policies and support for the professionalization of the logistics industry.
Dr. Olalekan underscored the importance of digital transformation in the logistics space, noting that proper digitization will close gaps of illegality, streamline operations, and unlock wealth creation opportunities for logistics operators. “Digitizing the sector would ensure proper operations and close the gap of illegalities to create wealth for logistics operators as Nigeria evolves,” he explained.
