In a decisive move to raise standards and professionalize the freight forwarding sector, the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has commenced a professional certification training for 300 logistics service providers.
The two-day training programme, which began on Thursday in Lagos, targets air cargo logistics practitioners and marks the beginning of a nationwide drive to standardize operations across Nigeria’s freight and logistics landscape.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the CRFFN Registrar/CEO, Mr. Kingsley Igwe, emphasized the Council’s commitment to bridging knowledge gaps within the industry. Drawing from his personal experience in global logistics and supply chain operations, Igwe said the lack of professionalism and knowledge among some operators has long hindered the growth and global competitiveness of Nigeria’s logistics sector.
“As a practitioner, all my days in the port interfacing with other agencies in the clearing chain, I noticed that there is a lot that needs to be fixed. These lapses are not obtainable in the global arena, especially in advanced countries where we compete,” he stated.
He pointed out that the open-access nature of the port environment has historically allowed untrained individuals to operate as freight forwarders, leading to inefficiencies and subpar service delivery.
“Averagely, it has always been that anyone can enter the port environment to practice, and that is why we have a crop of people who do not know what the job is about. When they are confronted with problems, they also don’t know how to solve it,” Igwe said.
The current batch of 300 participants is split into three classes of 50 each, all focusing on air cargo logistics. According to the CRFFN boss, the programme will be replicated across sea ports and land borders, forming part of a comprehensive national training initiative.
“We are remodeling the process of admission to practicing as a freight forwarder or as a logistics service provider in the industry. A time is coming when, if you cannot prove yourself, you will not be allowed within this industry. This new era begins today,” Igwe declared.
Facilitators for the training include industry experts from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the University of Lagos (UNILAG), and CRFFN, providing a well-rounded academic and practical knowledge base for participants.
