In a landmark move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s air cargo industry, the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has announced a strategic partnership with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to develop an Integrated Air Cargo Stakeholders Registry.
The collaboration, coordinated under FAAN’s Directorate of Cargo Development and Services (DCDS), marks a significant leap toward regulatory synergy and digital transformation in Nigeria’s logistics and aviation sectors. The new registry is expected to serve as a centralized database that consolidates verified data on all stakeholders within the air cargo value chain, including freight forwarders, airlines, ground handlers, logistics service providers, and regulatory agencies operating at Nigerian airports.
Speaking on the initiative, the Registrar/CEO of CRFFN, Mr. Igwe Kingsley Onyekachi, said the integrated registry is designed to enhance transparency, ensure operational efficiency, and promote regulatory compliance. “We are proud to partner with FAAN in establishing a more structured and transparent system that will not only streamline airport operations but also promote investor confidence and drive economic growth,” he stated.
The process involves three critical stages: data capture, data validation, and biometric enrollment. First, stakeholders are required to submit updated business and operational information to CRFFN through FAAN for documentation. Once the data is verified and validated, stakeholders are officially registered on both CRFFN and FAAN portals. Successful registrants will then undergo biometric enrollment conducted by FAAN for identification and tracking purposes.
The registry aims to eliminate bottlenecks, discourage unauthorized operations, and improve stakeholder coordination—an essential step in unlocking Nigeria’s potential as a regional logistics hub. It also supports the federal government’s broader agenda of promoting professionalism, safety, and accountability within the freight forwarding and air cargo space.
Already, a pilot phase has commenced at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, with phased expansion planned for other major airports across the country. The pilot is being led by FAAN’s Directorate of Cargo Development & Services, with regulatory oversight from CRFFN’s Directorate of Regulation and Enforcement.
CRFFN has urged all cargo logistics service providers, including customs licensed agents, consolidators, and freight forwarders operating at Nigerian airports, to immediately comply with the onboarding directive through the integrated registry system.
The two agencies have also assured stakeholders of continuous engagement, training, and technical support throughout the rollout process.
