By Tochukwu Ezisi
We sincerely welcome you and appreciate your presence at this critical moment for the freight forwarding profession and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN).
The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has carefully observed with enduring patience how events unfolded since the appointment of the current CRFFN Registrar, Mr. Kingsley Igwe choosing professionalism over partisanship. However, recent actions by four accredited associations, namely, ANLCA, AREFF, NAFFAC and NCMDLCA, compel us to clarify our position.
These groups have publicly aligned with a court judgment obtained by Mr. Lucky Amiwero of NCMDLCA in suit number FHC/L/CS/765/2018, claiming the CRFFN lacks authority to regulate customs agents and collect the Practitioner Operating Fee (POF). Yet, the CRFFN has appealed and filed a stay of execution, rendering the ruling unenforceable.
Ironically, Mr. Amiwero has condemned the same associations now exploiting his court victory, exposing their opportunism. This only reinforces our concern about their credibility and motivations.
Let it be known that ANLCA has long resisted CRFFN’s establishment, going as far as proposing a counter-bill in the National Assembly. Similarly, past CRFFN elections were marred by irregularities challenged in court by some of these same actors, patterns of undermining the Council when outcomes do not favour them.
The real issue appears to be the appointment of Mr. Kingsley Igwe as Registrar, a former NAGAFF Secretary. His emergence triggered litigation, not for legal rectitude but as a political vendetta.
We must now speak clearly:
Those who no longer believe in CRFFN’s mandate should exit the stage.
We suspect a broader agenda to sabotage government reforms in the marine and blue economy sectors.
Government should investigate the economic and regulatory sabotage being carried out under the guise of activism.
These groups have often failed in their statutory financial obligations to CRFFN
ANLCA and NCMDLCA must align their identities with the new Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Act 2023.
We recommend that CRFFN consider the de-registration of these four associations and request the withdrawal of their CAC certificates in national interest.
Despite these distractions, NAGAFF remains proud of the performance of the present CRRFN Registrar, Mr. Kingsley Igwe. Less than a year, he has shown exceptional leadership, including:
Expanding CRFFN’s funding beyond POF to improve financial sustainability.
Commenced training of 1,000 freight forwarders in 2025, an unprecedented capacity-building initiative which has seen a successful training of 300 freight forwarders already.
Driving digital modernization and stakeholder collaboration to strengthen CRFFN regulatory role.
We hereby pass a vote of absolute confidence on the leadership of the CRFFN Registrar/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) under the supervision of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, CON.
NAGAFF will remain committed to the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, and to a freight forwarding profession anchored in professionalism, transparency, and national service.
Long live NAGAFF! Long live CRFFN! Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
*Being excerpts of the speech presented by the National President, NAGAFF, Chief Tochukwu Ezisi at a press conference which took place at NAGAFF national secretariat in Apapa, Lagos recently.
