February 13, 2025

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My agenda for CRFFN, freight forwarders in 2025- Registrar

The Registrar, Council for the Regulation of Freight forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) Kingsley Igwe has disclosed that his agenda for 2025 is to boost the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the Council, establish and enforce robust policies that will elevate professional standards within the freight logistics industry.

Igwe who disclosed this in his New Year message to stakeholders, practitioners and staff of the Council said his agenda will be driven under four strategic pillars.

According to him, the four pillars, which include strengthening professional standards, capacity building, collaboration and improved welfare are designed to drive sustainable growth for CRFFN and the Nigerian freight logistics industry.

He said, “Our first step is to establish and enforce robust policies that will elevate professional standards within the freight logistics industry.

“By fostering a culture of compliance and excellence, we aim to position CRFFN as a leading regulatory authority.
These policies will promote integrity, transparency, and efficiency, creating a thriving ecosystem for all stakeholders.

“Professional training will be at the forefront of our agenda this year. We will:
• Roll out comprehensive training programs for CRFFN staff to enhance their regulatory capabilities.
• Organize workshops, certifications, and seminars tailored to the needs of freight forwarders, ensuring they are
equipped with the latest skills and knowledge to navigate an evolving global logistics landscape.

“This investment in human capital is pivotal to achieving our long-term goals in line with the renewed hope agenda of Mr President, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) and inline with the roadmap of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola (CON).

“Collaboration is the backbone of progress. This year, we will strengthen our partnerships with sister agencies,
government bodies, and private sector stakeholders. Through these collaborations, we will: Streamline operations and eliminate redundancies in regulatory processes.
• Create joint initiatives that drive innovation, sustainability, and revenue growth.
Together, we can build a resilient freight logistics industry that contributes meaningfully to Nigeria’s economy.

“Improving Welfare and Working Conditions of all CRFFN Staff Nationwide.
I sincerely acknowledge and empathise with the entire workforce of CRFFN who, until recently, endured the hardship of
prolonged non-payment of salaries. You may recall that it was through the timely and compassionate intervention of the
Honourable Minister who approved a bailout fund for payment of the initial 5 months salary arrears from March to July 2024.”

The CRFFN registrar disclosed that the Minister has approved another bailout fund for payment of another 5 months’ salary arrears from August to December 2024, and the entire team is working hard to perfect all arrangement
for disbursement as soon as possible.

“With this, you can be rest assured that the welfare of our workforce under my
administration is paramount to the honourable minister.
Going forward, salaries will be paid promptly, and I expect, in return, a renewed dedication to duty and productivity from all staff.

“Additionally, in 2025, we will:
• Enhance workplace conditions across all CRFFN offices nationwide.
• Implement initiatives that prioritize the professional growth of our staff.
By fostering a supportive and motivating environment, we will empower our workforce to perform at their best, ” he said.

Igwe also acknowledged the challenges faced by the freight logistics industry in Nigeria, including poor
representation and lack of genuine acceptance but expressed optimism about the opportunities presented by the blue economy and Nigeria’s strategic position within Africa.

“Additionally, there is a significant gap in the capacity building for freight forwarders in core professional areas of practice.

“This gap reflects a lack of investment in training, knowledge development, and skill enhancement that could enable these professionals to adapt to evolving industry demands, regulatory changes, and technological advancements. The industry has not fully leveraged opportunities for continuous professional development, standardized practices, and innovative
solutions that could enhance efficiency, compliance, and competitiveness, ” he said.

Addressing this challenge he said, requires a concerted effort to prioritize education, mentorship, and resource allocation to unlock the full potential of freight forwarders and their critical role in national logistics service administration.

“The aforementioned would not be achieved if there is still division amongst us. We all know how the freight logistics
sector has suffered so much in the Nigeria and CRFFN being the statutory unifying body has suffered the most since inception.

“By now, CRFFN should have grown like her sister agencies as NPA, NIMASA and Nigeria Shippers Council.

“Now that we, the practitioners have taken over, the opportunity has come. The peace of doing business and the benefits of our hard works is now in our hands. We must all be united at all front to achieve the desired results as the world is watching us, ” he said.

 

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