The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has urged the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) to end its years of operating in isolation and embrace stronger collaboration with industry stakeholders.
The union made this call during a visit by CRFFN Registrar, Kingsley Igwe, to its headquarters, where discussions centered on repositioning the council for greater relevance in the maritime sector.
Speaking during the meeting, MWUN President-General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, emphasized the need for CRFFN to work more closely with key industry players, including labour unions, to achieve its mandate effectively.
Adeyanju, who is also the Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), noted that the council’s struggles stem from its failure to fully-integrate with stakeholders who play crucial roles in the freight forwarding value chain.
Responding, Igwe assured MWUN that CRFFN was undergoing a transformation aimed at solidifying its place in the maritime industry.
Declaring that the council “has come to stay,” he likened its struggles to a biblical exodus, stating that the regulatory body was determined to move past its past challenges and establish itself as an authority in the sector.
He also addressed concerns about financial constraints that had affected the council, revealing that salary delays for CRFFN workers in January and February were due to bureaucratic bottlenecks.
However, he assured that with the council’s full inclusion in the federal budget, such issues would no longer arise. “The days of slavery are over. Our staff can now be assured that their salaries are secured,” he said.
The visit, which comes ahead of Adeyanju’s retirement from MWUN on March 28, is seen as part of CRFFN’s broader strategy to strengthen its alliances within the maritime labour sector.
The council, which has faced credibility concerns and leadership crises over the years, is now pushing to regain the trust of industry players.
