The Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC) has urged the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to urgently initiate a reform to address the challenges facing the nation’s freight forwarding sector, warning that failure to act could deepen instability and erode the industry’s contribution to national economic development.
In an official open letter signed by the Head of Research, Eugene Nweke, SEREC expressed grave concerns over persistent conflicts between the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) and various industry associations, which have destabilised the sector.
The research body maintains that only a structured reform process can return the freight forwarding sector to the path of professionalism, efficiency, promote stability, growth and meaningful economic impact.
The letter follows the recent controversial call to deregister some freight forwarding associations, citing non-compliance with the council’s rule after a court judgment obtained, stopping the council from collecting its fees from licensed customs brokers.
While the move has sparked debate, SEREC said the conflicts between CRFFN and the associations have created uncertainty and instability in the industry, which can have far-reaching consequences for the economy.
The maritime research centre emphasised the strategic role of freight forwarding logistics in facilitating international trade, boosting customs revenue, enhancing national security through safe and efficient movement of goods, and driving national development across various sectors of the economy.
The group said that despite this importance, regulatory shortcomings and political interference continue to undermine the sector’s potential.
Among the key issues raised are the uncertainty, lack of industry stability and leadership coherence, inadequate representation of stakeholders within CRFFN’s current framework, the lingering effects of politicisation and personal financial interests since 2015, weak enforcement and outdated legal instruments governing freight forwarding.
Referencing Section 5 of the CRFFN Establishment Act 16 of 2007, the research centre reminded the minister of his oversight powers to intervene decisively and restore order to the system, while also advocating for a revisit of the pending amendment to the Act currently before the National Assembly.
The centre recommended that the ministry should conduct a thorough investigation of CRFFN’s activities and the associations to ensure that due process is followed and that all parties are allowed to be heard.
The body also recommended renewed industry stakeholder engagement, review of the regulatory framework, and a revisit of the pending amendment of the Act 16 of 2007, which is before the National Assembly, to address any ambiguities or weaknesses that may be contributing to the current challenges.
“There is no better time to reinforce sanity in the freight forwarding profession than now. Minister, we urge you to dutifully salvage a seemingly helpless subsector of the maritime industry for optimal goals. Reform now or never,” the letter reads.
