Foundation of CRFFN reforms under threat, APFFLON writes FG

The African Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has raised the alarm that the reform initiatives championed by the Federal Government through the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) are under serious threat. This, the association claims, is due to the current state and conduct of several registered freight forwarding associations.

In a letter dated 22nd July and addressed to the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, APFFLON, through its National President, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, cited lack of uniform compliance, poor ethical standards, weakened representation, and internal leadership crises within many associations as factors eroding public trust and undermining the regulatory objectives of both the Ministry and CRFFN.

According to the letter, titled “Urgent Call for Intervention in Reassessing Freight Forwarding Associations to Sustain Sectoral Reforms” and made available to the Nigerian Tribune, APFFLON stated: “I write to you with a deep sense of urgency and patriotic concern for the sustainability of the ongoing reforms within Nigeria’s freight forwarding sector under your esteemed leadership.

The reform initiatives championed through the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) have indeed been a beacon of hope for professionalism, accountability, and capacity-building across the industry. However, recent developments indicate that the foundation of these reforms is under serious threat due to the current state and conduct of some registered freight forwarding associations.

The lack of uniformity in compliance, poor ethical standards, weakening representation, and internal leadership crises within many of these associations are eroding public trust and destabilising the regulatory goals the Ministry and CRFFN have worked diligently to implement. Without timely intervention, these groups may inadvertently collapse the very reforms intended to strengthen the industry.”

APFFLON, therefore, urged the Honourable Minister to direct the Registrar of CRFFN to undertake an immediate and comprehensive reassessment and revalidation of all freight forwarding associations in the country.

The letter proposed that the process should include, but not be limited to: Verifying compliance with CRFFN regulations and ethical standards; Auditing membership credibility and internal governance structures; Evaluating each association’s contribution to professional development and industry growth; Disbanding or restructuring associations found to be non-compliant or counterproductive to national objectives.

“This reassessment is critical not only to restore order and professionalism but also to ensure that only credible associations continue to partner with the government in advancing the goals of the Marine and Blue Economy sector.”

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The letter further referenced the Honourable Minister’s advocacy for transparency and accountability during the National Single Window seminar held at the Marriott Hotel. APFFLON urged him to instruct Alhaji Nura Umar, Managing Director of SW Global, to submit a full account of the total Practitioners Operating Fees (POF) collected to both his office and the CRFFN Registrar.

“Your timely directive in this regard will not only save the industry from impending collapse but will also preserve your administration’s legacy of transformative leadership and sectoral reform.

I trust in your wisdom and commitment to repositioning our maritime economy for global competitiveness. Thank you for your anticipated action and enduring service to our nation,” the letter concluded.