Findings by Shipping Position Daily have revealed that the long-awaited reconstitution of the Governing Council of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) is being deliberately delayed by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to address deep-rooted structural and legal issues that have plagued the agency for years.
Recall that in June 2023, President Bola Tinubu in an official statement released by the Director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey approved the immediate dissolution of the Governing Boards of all Federal Government parastatals, agencies, Institutions, and government-owned Companies excluding only boards commissions, and councils listed in the third schedule, part one section 153 (i) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
But, stakeholders in the freight forwarding industry have raised concerns over what they describe as the continued neglect of the CRFFN by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, following the constitution and inauguration of governing boards for other agencies under the ministry, and excluding the CRFFN.
Our correspondent confirmed last week that the expected constitution of the CRFFN Governing Council is not in the agenda of the Federal Government at the moment. Sources hinted that the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is still subjecting it to careful administrative review to ensure strict compliance with legal and procedural standards.
While responding to enquiries on the delayed inauguration of the CRFFN Governing Council last week, Special Adviser to the Minister, Dr. Bolaji Akinola,explained that the process must reflect statutory requirements, established guidelines, and proper stakeholder representation.
Akinola noted that the Ministry is aware of the growing interest among stakeholders, but assured that a formal announcement will be made once the review is concluded.
According to him, “the process is undergoing administrative reviews to ensure full compliance with all statutory requirements, procedural guidelines, and stakeholder representations. As a regulatory body with a broad mandate across the freight forwarding sector, it is essential that the composition and inauguration of the Council follow due process to guarantee transparency, credibility, and stability once inaugurated.” Akinola noted.
Meanwhile, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of CRFFN, Mr Kingsley Igwe, in an exclusive chat with our correspondent, clarified misconceptions surrounding the status of the Governing Council, emphasizing that the decision to constitute the board lies entirely with the Federal Government, not the Registrar.
Igwe highlighted that the CRFFN Governing Council, with its 32-member structure, remains the largest board among federal agencies, including major maritime institutions such as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). He argued that the size has proven financially burdensome and administratively impractical.
Igwe explained that the board’s composition—spanning geopolitical representatives, political appointees, industry nominees, and elected freight forwarders—has created a structure the government now considers unsustainable, especially given CRFFN’s limited funding.
The Registrar stressed that he has no role in delaying the Governing Council, noting that he awaits directives from the Ministry, National Assembly, or the Presidency.
Igwe added that the government is reviewing how to make the Council more efficient and cost-effective, suggesting that a smaller, more streamlined board would likely have been inaugurated much earlier.
“CRFFN is the only agency in Nigeria that has a 32-member board. Tell me any other agency that has similar board? None. As big as these agencies are, their boards are as small as 12 members. Not less than 60% of our annual overhead goes to the operation of the board. Is that economically effective? No.
“I am not the one saying don’t constitute the board. Whoever said that, doesn’t know how the government operates. No Registrar will say the board should not be constituted. Whatever comes from the higher authority, I am ready to comply.” Igwe stated.
