The National President of the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), Frank Ogunojemite, has called on leaders and stakeholders in the country’s freight forwarding and maritime industry to urgently embrace unity, warning that internal divisions and rivalry are weakening the sector’s relevance and credibility.

In a statement, Ogunojemite said that while the maritime sector remains central to Nigeria’s economic growth and trade competitiveness, unnecessary confrontations among industry players continue to undermine collective progress.

He said leadership in the sector must be driven by maturity, vision and responsibility, rather than actions capable of creating confusion or anarchy within the system.

“At a time when the maritime sector is critical to national development, division, rivalry and unnecessary confrontations only weaken our relevance and credibility,” he said, adding that leaders must reflect on their commitment to unity and demonstrate conduct that promotes collaboration instead of discord.

According to him, freight forwarding thrives on coordination, structured engagement and collective advocacy, noting that when leaders fail to promote harmony, the entire industry bears the consequences.

Ogunojemite also pointed to the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, saying it offers opportunities for transformation in the maritime space, including port reforms, trade facilitation, digitalisation and economic expansion.

However, he stressed that meaningful contribution to this national vision depends on a united industry.
He outlined APFFLON’s belief that unity strengthens negotiating power, cooperation enhances policy influence, stability attracts investor confidence and collective engagement drives sustainable growth.

Calling on practitioners to rise above personal interests and association rivalry, Ogunojemite said the maritime industry is too strategic to be weakened by internal fragmentation.

“We must choose dialogue over division, collaboration over confrontation, and progress over politics. In unity, our voice is stronger. In unity, our industry is respected. In unity, we secure the future of freight forwarding in Nigeria,” he said.

He reaffirmed APFFLON’s commitment to promoting harmony, constructive engagement with government and responsible leadership within the maritime community.