By Oluyinka Onigbinde
The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has dismissed reports making the rounds on various media platforms concerning a recent judgement purportedly delivered by the Federal High Court in Ikeja on May 26, 2025. The Council described the reports as misleading and aimed at sowing confusion within the freight forwarding industry.
Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday in Lagos, the Registrar of CRFFN, Barr. Kingsley Igwe, expressed deep concern over what he termed the “secretive manner” in which the judgement was delivered, noting that the process reportedly occurred without due notice to the defendants named in the suit. He stressed that such a move appears to be contrary to the principles of fair hearing and due process as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Barr. Igwe said the Council views the trending reports as the handiwork of mischief makers whose intention is to derail the peace, reforms, and progress achieved in the freight forwarding sector in recent times. He stated that these achievements have been made possible through the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and with the support of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON.
In a detailed clarification, the CRFFN Registrar reaffirmed the Council’s legal mandate as established by Act No. 16 of 2007, which is now part of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He explained that the Act empowers CRFFN as the legally recognised regulatory authority for freight forwarding practice in Nigeria. According to him, Section 4 of the Act outlines the Council’s core functions, including the regulation and control of freight forwarding services, determining standards of knowledge and skills required for registration, issuance of licences, registration of practitioners, and enforcement of discipline and professional conduct.
He stated that the Council’s regulatory authority extends unequivocally to all freight forwarding service providers, including customs licensed agents when engaged in freight forwarding activities. Citing the Nigerian Customs Service Act of 2023, he pointed to Section 106(4), which clearly states that “a customs representative, if you like, a customs licensed agent, shall be a freight forwarder and shall be subject to the regulations and code of conduct of the freight forwarding profession in Nigeria.” He stressed that this provision legally integrates customs representatives into the freight forwarding profession and places them under the regulatory oversight of CRFFN.
On the issue of the Practitioners Operating Fee (POF), Igwe clarified that the POF is not a tax or revenue levy, but a statutory regulatory fee established by law and gazetted by the Federal Government of Nigeria. He explained that Section 4(e) of the CRFFN Act empowers the Council to maintain a register of persons or organisations engaged in freight forwarding and to regulate their conduct, including the imposition of fees as may be prescribed. He added that the POF is a critical tool for promoting professionalism, supporting continuous training and certification, strengthening institutional capacity, and ensuring transparency and data integrity in the industry.
Speaking further, Igwe noted that the Council’s legal team is currently reviewing the content, context, and implications of the said judgement. He assured that, if necessary, CRFFN will exercise its legal rights of appeal, review, or seek clarification through the appropriate judicial channels to ensure its mandate is not undermined.
He stated that CRFFN remains committed to continuous stakeholder engagement, including with the Nigerian Customs Service, terminal operators, government agencies, customs licensed agents, freight forwarders, and other logistics service providers. According to him, the goal remains the development of a professional, standardised, and globally competitive freight forwarding and logistics system in Nigeria.
He urged all practitioners to remain calm, law-abiding, and to continue their business operations in full compliance with the regulations guiding the profession. He assured them that the Council is firmly in control of the situation and will continue to update stakeholders as developments unfold.
“Let no one be misguided as to the clear statutory roles and mandates of the Council,” he said. “Let every practitioner go about their business normally, without fear or favour. Further guidance will be issued as developments unfold.”
