The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has challenged the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, to urgently translate his recent assurances on electricity reforms into visible improvements in power supply.

In a statement signed by the National President, APFFLON, Frank Ogunojemite, the association described Nigeria’s electricity crisis as one of the greatest obstacles to economic growth, industrialisation and investment in the maritime sector.

The association stated that the maritime and logistics sector remains one of the worst-affected, as unstable electricity continues to disrupt cargo handling, warehousing, cold-chain logistics, manufacturing, and transportation, resulting in higher operating costs and higher prices for goods for Nigerian consumers.

According to Ogunojemite, despite years of reforms and billions of naira invested in the sector, businesses continue to rely on expensive diesel and petrol generators, resulting in production costs among the highest in Africa.

“The cost of inadequate electricity is being paid daily by manufacturers, freight forwarders, importers, exporters and ordinary Nigerians. Businesses are shutting down, investors are relocating to countries with more reliable infrastructure, and unemployment continues to rise,” he stated.

Reacting to the Minister’s recent remarks on the Federal Government’s plans to reposition the power sector, APFFLON warned that Nigerians have heard enough promises and now expect measurable results.

APFFLON said the real test of leadership will not be policy announcements, but the availability of reliable electricity to homes, industries, ports and businesses across the country.

The association urged the Minister to engage manufacturers, freight forwarders, investors, engineers, electricity distribution companies, generation companies and other stakeholders in developing practical solutions capable of delivering sustainable improvements.

APFFLON maintained that Nigeria possesses the resources, technical expertise and human capacity to achieve reliable electricity if there is sufficient political will, transparency, accountability and effective implementation.

The group stressed that the success of Nigeria’s economy, manufacturing sector, maritime industry and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) depends heavily on stable electricity.

According to the group, every day Nigeria experiences power supply failures, it loses investments, jobs, productivity and global competitiveness.

The association therefore called on the Federal Government to declare the electricity sector a national economic priority and ensure that the Minister’s commitments are backed by concrete action and measurable timelines.

“The time for explanations has passed. Nigerians deserve results. Reliable electricity remains the missing link to economic transformation, efficient ports, thriving industries and sustainable national development,” the group added.