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  • CRFFN, CIB sign MoU to deepen transparency in freight forwarding

    CRFFN, CIB sign MoU to deepen transparency in freight forwarding

    The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) and the Convention on Business Integrity (CIB) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at promoting transparency, reducing unreceipted charges, and improving efficiency across Nigeria’s ports and logistics corridors.

    The event, held at Providence by Mantis Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, brought together industry stakeholders, development partners and representatives of the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN).

    CRFFN Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Igwe Kingsley Onyekechi, described the agreement as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s push for cleaner, more transparent port operations.

    According to him, the partnership aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and ongoing reforms under the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), particularly initiatives targeting ports and customs efficiency.

    He said the MoU would deploy internationally tested anti-corruption tools, already effective offshore to the land side of ports, enabling real-time reporting of bottlenecks, undue demands and operational delays.

    “This MoU is all about introducing transparency in the freight forwarding business. It will enhance the ease of doing business, reduce costs, and improve the flow of cargo across our ports and logistics corridors. These tools are for everyone, importers, exporters, freight forwarders, terminal operators, government agencies. They help users mitigate challenges in real time,” he said.

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    Onyekechi stressed that the tools are not designed to witch-hunt operators but to sanitise the system and discourage backdoor practices that inflate the cost of goods.

    “When deals are done without transparency, justice is threatened. We want a cleaner, more transparent environment. If users face challenges, whether from state or non-state actors, they can get help immediately. But those using the tools must also be clean no one goes to equity with dirty hands,” he said.

    He added that the reforms would ultimately benefit everyday Nigerians by lowering logistics costs, which contribute significantly to rising market prices.

    CIB co-founder, Olusoji Apampa, said the partnership builds on progress achieved at the marine side of Nigerian ports, where vessel operations have become more transparent and less prone to harassment and unreceipted payments.

    According to him, extending these gains to the land corridor is critical because freight forwarders still encounter numerous informal charges at almost every stage of cargo movement.

    “Today, we signed an MoU to provide CRFFN with tools developed by the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network, headquartered in Denmark. Beyond providing tools, we will offer training, capacity building and support on how to receive complaints and follow through to ensure change happens along the land side of the ports and the wider logistics corridors,” he said

    Apampa noted that over 80 to 90 percent of goods consumed in Nigeria enter through the ports, meaning every hidden charge eventually reflects in retail prices.

    “Many officials don’t realise that unreceipted demands go back into freight costs and ultimately into the price of goods in the market. We all shop in the same markets, so this change benefits everyone,” he said.

    He added that the initiative would gradually extend beyond the maritime sector into aviation and other logistics areas as part of a broader integrity and governance reform agenda.

  • CRFFN, CIB sign MoU to deepen transparency, cut hidden costs in freight forwarding

    CRFFN, CIB sign MoU to deepen transparency, cut hidden costs in freight forwarding

    The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) and the Convention on Business Integrity (CIB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at promoting transparency, reducing unreceipted charges, and improving efficiency across Nigeria’s ports and logistics corridors.

    The event, held at Providence by Mantis Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, brought together industry stakeholders, development partners, and representatives of the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN).

    CRFFN Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Igwe Kingsley Onyekechi, described the agreement as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s push for cleaner, more transparent port operations. 

    According to him, the partnership aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and ongoing reforms under the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), particularly initiatives targeting ports and customs efficiency.

    He said the MoU would deploy internationally tested anti-corruption tools, already effective offshore to the land side of ports, enabling real-time reporting of bottlenecks, undue demands, and operational delays.

    “This MoU is all about introducing transparency in the freight forwarding business. It will enhance the ease of doing business, reduce costs, and improve the flow of cargo across our ports and logistics corridors. These tools are for everyone: importers, exporters, freight forwarders, terminal operators, and government agencies. They help users mitigate challenges in real time,” he said.

    Onyekechi stressed that the tools are not designed to witch-hunt operators but to sanitise the system and discourage backdoor practices that inflate the cost of goods.

    “When deals are done without transparency, justice is threatened. We want a cleaner, more transparent environment. If users face challenges, whether from state or non-state actors, they can get help immediately. But those using the tools must also be clean; no one goes to equity with dirty hands,” he said. 

    He added that the reforms would ultimately benefit everyday Nigerians by lowering logistics costs, which contribute significantly to rising market prices.

    CIB co-founder, Olusoji Apampa, said the partnership builds on progress achieved at the marine side of Nigerian ports, where vessel operations have become more transparent and less prone to harassment and unreceipted payments.

    According to him, extending these gains to the land corridor is critical because freight forwarders still encounter numerous informal charges at almost every stage of cargo movement.

    “Today, we signed an MoU to provide CRFFN with tools developed by the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network, headquartered in Denmark. Beyond providing tools, we will offer training, capacity building, and support on how to receive complaints and follow through to ensure change happens along the land side of the ports and the wider logistics corridors,” he said

    Apampa noted that over 80 to 90 percent of goods consumed in Nigeria enter through the ports, meaning every hidden charge eventually reflects in retail prices.

    “Many officials don’t realise that unreceived demands go back into freight costs and ultimately into the price of goods in the market. We all shop in the same markets, so this change benefits everyone,” he said.

    He added that the initiative would gradually extend beyond the maritime sector into aviation and other logistics areas as part of a broader integrity and governance reform agenda.

  • Backlog of workers’ salaries cleared, says CRFFN

    Backlog of workers’ salaries cleared, says CRFFN

    The Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Comrade Kingsley Igwe, has announced that the backlog of workers’ salaries has been successfully cleared.

    Igwe made this disclosure yesterday during a courtesy visit to the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) in Lagos, where he led a delegation of the Council’s management team.

    According to the Registrar, who assumed office barely five months ago, his administration has taken decisive steps to resolve salary-related issues that previously plagued the Council. While workers are yet to receive their January and February 2025 salaries, he assured that payment processes are already in motion.

     “We are working out things to be in place and to revive works left undone. Our collaboration with MWUN is to help to strengthen what we have put in place,” Igwe said, emphasising the Council’s efforts to rebuild its structures and improve efficiency.

    He also reassured workers that the federal government’s budgetary provisions have now secured their salaries.

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    “The cry of my workers are no more because we have cleared the backlog of salaries. And we didn’t stop there because we went ahead to restore our place with the budget of the federal government, meaning salaries of workers are guaranteed,” Igwe explained.

    Addressing the two-month delay in salary payments, he clarified: “You can ask me why we are yet to pay the salaries for January and February. Let me state here that it has been passed but only remains to be loaded. So, I haven’t made any mistake to say that our salaries have been cleared and you will no longer hear anything like non-payment of CRFFN staff again.”

    The CRFFN boss noted that the salary payments approved by the federal government have brought relief to the workers, adding that efforts are ongoing to consolidate the Council’s achievements and secure a conducive work environment for its staff.

    He further commended MWUN’s President General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, for his dedication to workers’ welfare within the maritime sector.

    Responding to Igwe’s remarks, Adeyanju praised the federal government for settling the salary backlog and acknowledged the Registrar’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare.

    “He [Igwe] should count on us 24 hours for support because we are a reformed union to ensure that marine and maritime transport thrive,” Adeyanju said.

    He added that the MWUN would continue to protect the interests of its members in all organizations, recognising Igwe’s responsible approach to workers’ welfare.

    With regards to Professional Operating Fee (POF) collection, Adeyanju assured that the union would engage freight forwarding practitioners and associations that are hesitant to comply, stressing that revenue collection is essential to the sector’s development.

    Meanwhile, the assurance from both CRFFN and MWUN leadership, industry players have noted, highlights a renewed commitment to improving the welfare of freight forwarding workers and ensuring a more effective and harmonious maritime sector in Nigeria.

  • NPA, CRFFN strengthen partnership to boost port efficiency, freight operations

    NPA, CRFFN strengthen partnership to boost port efficiency, freight operations

    The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) have reaffirmed their commitment to improving port operations and enhancing the nation’s competitiveness in global trade.

    This was highlighted during a strategic visit by CRFFN’s leadership to the NPA Corporate Headquarters in Lagos. 

    Speaking at the meeting, CRFFN Registrar, Kingsley Igwe, underscored the importance of collaboration between the two agencies in ensuring seamless cargo delivery and logistics efficiency.

    He said: “Our visit today is about strengthening the relationship between our agencies as we both play critical roles in ensuring seamless freight logistics and port operations. CRFFN remains committed to the professionalisation and regulation of freight forwarding in Nigeria, ensuring best practices, compliance, and efficiency within the sector.”

    Igwe further stressed the Council’s interest in deeper collaboration with NPA, particularly in areas such as capacity building, data sharing, operational synergy, and policy alignment. These, he noted, would help position Nigeria’s ports more competitively in global trade. He also expressed CRFFN’s interest in actively participating in the port community system currently being developed by NPA. 

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    In response, NPA Managing Director Dr Abubakar Dantsoho urged CRFFN to embrace technological innovations in the maritime sector, aligning with the Federal Government’s ongoing port modernisation project. He highlighted the significance of modernising Nigeria’s ports to enhance efficiency, increase cargo traffic, and boost government revenue. 

    Dantsoho also announced a breakthrough in the industry—the Federal Government’s approval of the Single Window Project. He described the initiative as a game-changer for Nigeria’s port operations. 

    “Another milestone was the approval of the Single Window Project, which is geared towards improving our capacity, efficiency, and increasing our ability to generate more revenue. We are headed towards a positive direction and are hopeful that very soon, these major approvals will reflect in our performance.”

    The modernisation project, he revealed, would begin at the Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports, marking a significant step toward transforming Nigeria’s maritime sector.  

  • Fed Govt approves additional bailout for CRFFN

    Fed Govt approves additional bailout for CRFFN

    The Federal Government has approved a five-month salary arrears bailout fund for the staff of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), covering the period from August to December 2024. 

    This development was disclosed by the CRFFN Chief Executive Officer and Registrar, Comrade Kingsley Igwe, in his New Year message to maritime stakeholders and staff.

    Igwe highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring staff welfare and pledged to drive productivity and accountability within the council. 

    “As we speak, the Honourable Minister has approved another bailout fund for payment of another five months’ salary arrears from August to December 2024, and the entire team is working hard behind the scene to perfect all arrangement for disbursement as soon as possible,” Igwe stated.

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    “With this, you can be rest assured that the welfare of our workforce under my administration is paramount to the honourable minister.”

    The CRFFN, an essential regulatory body in Nigeria’s maritime and logistics sector, has faced challenges in meeting its financial obligations in recent years, leading to salary delays and staff dissatisfaction. This latest intervention is part of ongoing efforts to stabilise the council’s operations and improve morale among its workforce. 

    Igwe further called on staff to demonstrate renewed dedication to their duties, emphasising that regular salary payments will become the norm moving forward.

     “I urge everyone to embrace a higher sense of responsibility and commitment to their roles. Together, we can achieve remarkable milestones,” he added. 

    Stakeholders in the maritime sector have welcomed the move. Speaking on the development, a senior CRFFN staff member who preferred anonymity expressed optimism: “This bailout gives us hope for a more stable future. It’s a signal that the government is listening to our concerns and taking concrete steps to address them.” 

    The CRFFN plays a critical role in regulating and fostering growth within Nigeria’s freight forwarding industry. With this financial intervention, expectations are high for improved efficiency and stakeholder engagement as the council navigates through its challenges. 

    This latest funding marks another step in the government’s broader agenda to support regulatory bodies and bolster the nation’s maritime economy amid global and domestic challenges.

  • Town hall meeting on CRFFN at 10 holds

    The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) in collaboration with the Ships & Ports Communication Company will  hold a town hall meeting today to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the CRFFN Act.

    The co-ordinator of the event, Shulammite Olowofoyeku, said the meeting, with the theme “CRFFN @10: ‘How far, so far’ will hold at the Nigerian Shippers’ Council Head Office, Apapa, at 10:00am.

    Olowofoyeku told The Nation that the Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi will give the keynote address at the event. The meeting, she said, will seek the way forward for the CRFFN.

    Some of the issues to be discussed include performance of CRFFN in the last 10 years; challenges facing its operations; proposed amendment of CRFFN Act; constitution of CRFFN Governing Council and financial sustenance of the council, among others.

    The meeting is expected to be attended by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr Hassan Bello; Managing Director, Nigerian Port Authority, Ms Hadiza Bala Usman; Chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Princess Vicky Haastrup, and Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside.

    Also expected at the meeting are President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu; founder, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam and the leaderships of other freights forwarding associations.

    The Registrar of CRFFN, Sir Mike Jukwe, will lead the discussions.

  • Agents petition Amaechi over proposed sharing of ports’ charges

    Agents petition Amaechi over proposed sharing of ports’ charges

    • Why ANLCA is kicking, by council

    Should the Practitioners Operating Fees (POF) collected at the ports by the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) be shared among its five affiliated associations?

    The proposed sharing of the cash is said to have pitched the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) against the other four groups.

    The others are National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Association of Registered Freight Forwarders Nigeria (AREFFN), National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) and the National Association of Air Freight Forwarders and Consolidators (NAFFAC).

    CRFFN, it was gathered, may rake in over N2 billion yearly at the ports and land borders from  POF.

    The approved charges are, N1.50 per kilometre for air cargo, N1,000 per 20-foot container, N2,000 per 40-foot container, N500 per car/suv, N1,000 per truck or 20-foot equivalent, N2,000 per truck or 40-foot equivalent, N3.50 per tonnes for general cargo and N1.00 per tonnes for dry bulk cargo.

    To ANLCA President, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, the money should go to the Presidency instead of being shared by the ports associations.

    The money, he said, should be used by the government to develop port infrastructure and boost the economy.

    “ANLCA is the umbrella body of the Customs agents and we cannot pay money to the CRFFN that would be shared by the freight forwarders that contributed nothing to the purse.

    “Government should look for ways of collecting the money through the CRFFN without sharing with associations so that the money will go straight to the government and not to individuals and that is the position of ANLCA.

    “Some of the associations the CRFFN proposed to share the money with are going to contribute little or nothing to the fund because of their population,” he said.

    ANLCA, Shittu said, had written to Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi on the need for talks over the matter.

    But a senior official of CRFFN, who pleaded not to be named said that the council is empowered to collect POF nationwide and to take 60 per cent of the collection.

    “The problem over the collection started when ANLCA National President Prince Olayiwola Shittu resigned from the council, following the approval granted CRFFN by the Federal Government to collect transaction fees at seaports, airports, and land borders.

    “The crisis generated by the approval forced the former Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, to rescind his decision and directed the council to stop the collection of the fees from port operators.

    “But our position is that after collecting the 60 per cent, the council is to give 35 per cent of the amount collected to ANLCA, NAGAFF, NCMDLCA, AREFF and NAFFAC. The remaining five per cent would be shared among registered freight forwarders.

    “The reason ANLCA is kicking is because they don’t want the money to be shared equally. In the Animal Farm, ANLCA claimed, some are more equal than the other.

    “They want the money to be shared based on the contribution of each association to the fund. If association A contributed 20 per cent to the fund and association B contributed five per cent, let A take 20 per cent in the sharing formula and association B take five per cent. To them, you cannot reap where you don’t sow and that is the position the group wants the CRFFN to follow,” the official said.

    Also, a senior Customs officer who does not want his name in print kicked against the collection of the fees.

    “The service is of the opinion that the charges will no doubt cause delays in the clearance of goods at the port, thereby, leading to port congestion. Its implementation will also increase the cost of doing business with its attendant implication on the cost of goods and services,” he said.

  • CRFFN to make N2b yearly from practising fees

    CRFFN to make N2b yearly from practising fees

    • As ANLCA kicks against sharing formula

    The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) may make N2 billion yearly at the ports and land borders from collecting the Practitioners Operating Fees (POF).

    The Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), is against the equal sharing of POF among the five associations registered by CRFFN.

    Former Minister of Transport Senator Idris Umar granted CRFFN approval to collect the fees.

    The fees include N1.20 per kilogramme of air freight, N1,000 per 20-foot container, N2,000 per 40-foot container, N500 per car/jeep, N1,000 per 1×20 truck, N2,000 per 1×40 truck, N3.50 per tonne of general cargo and N1 per tonne of dry bulk cargo while the rate on wet cargo was negotiable.

    CRFFN is empowered to collect POF nationwide and to take 60 per cent of the total amount collected.

    The council is to give 35 per cent of the amount collected to ANLCA, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), National Council of Managing Directors of Licenced Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Association of Registered Freight Forwarders (AREFF) and the National Association of Air Freight Forwarders and Consolidators (NAFFAC). The remaining five per cent would be shared among registered freight forwarders.

    But the ANLCA President, Prince Olayiwola Shittu told The Nation that his association was against equal sharing of the 35 per cent among the associations , because of its position, its population and the amount his members would contribute to the fund.

    “It was wrong for the CRFFN to keep mute on how the 35 per cent would be shared by the associations. The fact is that majority of the POF would be collected from our members and they want us to go and share the money equally with associations that are going to contribute little or nothing to the fund because of their number.

    “What stops CRFFN from collecting the money from the fees for the remaining four associations and let us see the amount? Even in the Animal Farm, some are more equal than the other.

    “The money has to be shared based on the contribution of each association to the fund. If association A contributed 20 per cent to the fund and the Association B contributed five per cent, let A take 20 per cent in the sharing formula and association B take  five per cent. That is justice. You cannot reap where you don’t sow and that is the position of my association.

    “But my fear is that if we fail to follow this transparent  method, the government  may wake up one day, and hijack  the  project,  and  that would be the end of the  matter,” Shittu said.

    But speaking on behalf of his group, NAGAFF’s founder, Dr Bonifface Aniebonam, said the only alternative left for ANLCA is to go to court if they are opposed to the collection of the fees.

    “ANLCA is an organisation and they are at liberty to state their own position. ANLCA is one of the smallest groups, NAGAFF is bigger. The only unfortunate thing is that that President of ANLCA was part of the whole process up to the approval time. As for me, the CRFFN is an arm of the government and it has spoken. The only alternative they have is to go to court,” he said.

     

  • ‘Lift ban on collection of transaction fees’

    The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has urged   the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, to lift the ban on transaction fees collection at the ports.

    Its Registrar, Mike Jukwe, made the call during the inauguration  of the council’s corporate head office in Lagos.

    He said lifting the ban would boost CRFFN’s commitment to professionalism in freight forwarding and supply chain management practice in Nigeria, adding that the council is on the right track towards achieving its objective.

    He  lamented  that inadequate funding has affected the council‘s quest to discharge its duty effectively.

    “Our challenges are many. One  of them is inadequate funding to execute the numerous planned activities of the council to be realised through the lifting of suspension on collection of internally generated revenue which is the transaction fee.

    “We are aware that the minister is committed to lifting the suspension and we appeal to him  to do so as soon as possible,” he stated.

    Jukwe   said   the council has put in place necessary requirements to  ensure standardisation in the registration of practitioners, which according to him, include education and training.

    He assured that CRFFN will cooperate and support the freight forwarding sub sector.

    “The council is optimistic that with the cooperation and support of all concerned, the freight forwarding sector would be repositioned to an enviable height in the country and would compete favourably in the comity of nations and for the much needed wealth creation and employment opportunity for the good of the citizenry”.

    The registrar however assured that with the formal opening of new corporate head office, the council is set to consolidate on effective delivery of its mandate.

    In his remark, the Minister of Transpor, Senator Idris Umar, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Maritime Services from the ministry, Mr. Patrick Ekawu Odey, said the Federal Government attached great importance to human capacity building for the council.

    Umar said the ministry is already working on modalities on  collection of transaction fee by the CRFFN.

    He also said that government is desirous of introducing dynamic bureaucracy that would contend with emerging global challenges.

    “It is for this reason that the council has made staff training a culture and undoubtedly, we will not only continue to pay adequate attention to staff training but would also demand reciprocity and improved qualitative service delivery from staff,” he said.

  • Agents blame Fed Govt for CRFFN non-election

    The Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has blamed the Federal Government for its failure to appoint in the last two years, freight forwarders into the board of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN).

    The group said it was also not happy over the unnecessary delay of the  election.

    Its Chairman, Chief Henry Njoku, said his association would intervene in the matter.

    The pioneer chairman of CRFFN, who is also a member of ANLCA, Mr Tony Nwabunike, blamed the government for the inaction of the Council, saying that it is the responsibility of the Federal Ministry of Transport to conduct the elections.

    He said ANLCA is a member of the Council and that the association expects the government to do the right thing by conducting the election, adding that once this is done, it is ready to get cracking.

    “What has happened in the past two years is that we had no single freight forwarder on that Council and we still call it Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria?

    “If people say the CRFFN is dying, I will understand, since after our election, the first pioneer election, another election has not been conducted and it is solely the duty of the Nigeria Shippers’ Council and the Ministry of Transport to conduct this election and as at today, no election has been conducted.

    “So, the council, which is an embodiment of freight forwarders, is being run by a registrar who is an employee,” he said.