By Joshua Yousouph
The appointment of Mr Kingsley Igwe as the Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has continued to elicit sharp divisions among freight forwarders, with differing opinions sign-posting tensions within the sub-sector.
Some stakeholders have applauded the decision of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, describing it as a timely intervention to reposition a near-dead CRFFN, while others remain critical, questioning the process and its implications for the industry’s future.
While some candidates who applied for the position have chosen to remain silent on the development, others have offered their perception and insights into the selection process and its implications for the freight forwarding sector.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that in October, 2024, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola approved the appointment of Mr Igwe Kingsley Onyekachi as the substantive Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria.
However, a coalition of freight forwarding associations has taken a legal action to contest the appointment of Kingsley Igwe as Registrar of the Council. They alleged that the appointment made, despite Igwe not applying for the role, violated due process and statutory requirements.
Recall that at a joint press briefing recently, the President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Emenike Nwokeoji, spoke on behalf of the coalition, which includes the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFFN), the National Association of Freight Forwarders and Consolidators (NAFFAC), and the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA).
Nwokeoji detailed the circumstances surrounding the controversial appointment, emphasizing that the position of CRFFN Registrar was advertised last year, attracting numerous applicants who were subsequently shortlisted and invited for an interview in Abuja. However, the scheduled interview never took place. Unable to obtain satisfactory explanations from the authorities, the associations decided to seek judicial intervention.
However, in sharp contrast to other freight forwarding associations, the National President of the African Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), Otunba Frank Ogunojemite has declared its support for the appointment of Mr. Kingsley Onyekachi Igwe as the substantive Registrar of CRFFN.
APFFLON also condemned the legal action taken by four self-accredited freight forwarding associations against the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, over the appointment. He emphasized that the minister’s decision aligns with the longstanding demand for a professional freight forwarder to lead the CRFFN.
Speaking with our correspondent last week, one of the candidates who applied for the job of the CRFFN; Dr Eugene Nweke elaborated on his motivations, experiences, and perspectives on recent developments on the appointment.
Nweke chronicled his efforts to contribute to the governing council of CRFFN. According to him, he sought to achieve this through election and later applied for the position of Registrar. Although his attempts did not materialize, he described the experience as part of his selfless service and sacrifice for the profession.
Nweke who is also a former President of NAGAFF emphasized that the decision to appoint Mr Kinsley Igwe by the Minister was devoid of controversy. He praised the minister for acting decisively under the doctrine of necessity, as provided for in Section 5 of the CRFFN Act 16 of 2007, to reposition the council for better functionality.
In his statement, the former NAGAFF President called on freight forwarders to set aside association rivalries and prioritize the collective professional interest. He emphasized the need for strategic dialogue to restructure and optimize the CRFFN for the common good. Dr. Nweke expressed confidence in the capabilities of the new Registrar, Mr. Kingsley Igwe, and called for collective support to advance the freight forwarding sector.
“My attempt to get into the governing council via electioneering process and the application for an appointment as the registrar of the CRFFN was driven by passion for service to the nation and my profession. Unfortunately, both attempts were resisted or, as the case may be, didn’t work out. Nevertheless, the energy, time, and resources spent in this regard are no issue at all.
“It is time to put professional interest above association and personal interests. Let’s shun association rivalry and embrace sincere and strategic dialogue aimed at redesigning, restructuring, and re-engineering the CRFFN for optimal performance. Let’s support our young Registrar and move our industry forward. This is exactly how I feel” Dr. Nweke concluded.
When contacted by our correspondent, many of the other applicants for the Registrar’s role declined to comment on the appointment. However, one of the candidates, who spoke on condition of anonymity, provided some context regarding the competition for the position.
The candidate who was apparently not happy about the current development revealed that nine individuals were shortlisted for the interview in Abuja, which ultimately did not take place. The applicant stated that the candidates who applied for the job came from various agencies including Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), CRFFN as well as freight forwarding associations.
“When we went to Abuja for the interview which never held, we were about nine of us that applied. Some came from different agencies such as the NITT, the immediate past acting CRFFN Registrar as well as about two other elderly men. In total, there were more than eight or nine of us,” the applicant disclosed.
