By Sandra Chukwunyere
The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has outlined an ambitious vision to transform the freight logistics sector in 2025. In his New Year address to staff and stakeholders, the Registrar pledged to prioritize professional excellence, collaboration, and sustainable growth in the industry.
Expressing gratitude to the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola, for the opportunity to serve, the Registrar reaffirmed his commitment to tackling the challenges facing the sector with innovative and solution-driven policies. He noted that his leadership would focus on fostering professionalism, enhancing capacity building, driving collaboration, and improving staff welfare.
The Registrar highlighted plans to introduce policies that would elevate professional standards and ensure compliance, integrity, and efficiency across the freight logistics sector. Professional training was identified as a key driver for achieving this goal, with comprehensive programs, workshops, certifications, and seminars to be rolled out for CRFFN staff and freight forwarders. These initiatives, he explained, would equip stakeholders with the knowledge and skills required to navigate the complexities of the global logistics landscape.
Collaboration with sister agencies and other stakeholders is also central to the Registrar’s agenda. He emphasized the importance of partnerships in streamlining regulatory processes, promoting innovation, and driving revenue growth. According to him, a unified approach will build a resilient freight logistics industry that can significantly contribute to Nigeria’s economy.
Addressing staff welfare, the Registrar acknowledged the hardships caused by delayed salary payments in recent months and assured employees of a renewed commitment to their well-being. He announced that arrangements had been finalized for the payment of salary arrears and promised that salaries would henceforth be paid promptly. Plans to improve workplace conditions and prioritize professional growth opportunities for staff were also unveiled.
While recognizing the challenges facing the freight logistics industry, such as poor representation and limited capacity building, the Registrar urged stakeholders to seize the remarkable opportunities presented by Nigeria’s strategic position in Africa and the brighter prospects of the blue economy. He stressed the need for unity among practitioners, noting that CRFFN, as the statutory unifying body, must grow to match the stature of its sister agencies like the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.
The Registrar articulated a vision to position CRFFN as a leading regulatory authority that fosters innovation, integrity, and excellence in freight forwarding. His mission, he said, is to regulate the industry effectively, promote professional development, and generate sustainable revenue for the Council.
He called on staff and stakeholders to embrace this vision with dedication and enthusiasm, emphasizing that 2025 must be a transformative year for the freight logistics sector. “Together, we can build a more efficient, professional, and prosperous freight logistics industry in Nigeria,” he concluded.
With this renewed focus, the CRFFN leadership aims to establish the Council as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s logistics and trade competitiveness, paving the way for a thriving and sustainable industry.