By Oluyinka Onigbinde
The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has raised concerns over what it described as the gradual displacement of indigenous freight forwarders by foreign operators, warning that Nigeria risks losing control of a critical component of its maritime sector if urgent regulatory and capacity-building measures are not implemented.
In a policy brief titled “Safeguarding the Future of Indigenous Freight Forwarders in Nigeria’s Maritime Economy,” the Secretary General of NAGAFF, Godfrey Emeka Nwosu, said the freight forwarding subsector has reached a critical turning point, even as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) continues to modernise its operations through artificial intelligence (AI)-driven trade facilitation and capacity development.
Nwosu commended the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs for embracing digital transformation and preparing Customs officers for the future of international trade. However, he argued that indigenous freight forwarders, who play a central role in trade facilitation and revenue generation, have largely been left behind in the ongoing reforms.
According to him, the imbalance threatens not only the future of indigenous practitioners but also Nigeria’s economic competitiveness and national security.
He warned that foreign freight forwarding firms, armed with advanced technology, structured training and extensive global networks, are steadily gaining ground in Nigeria’s maritime industry, while local operators continue to struggle with inadequate professional development and regulatory support.
The NAGAFF Secretary General blamed much of the challenge on the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), accusing the regulatory agency of failing to discharge its statutory responsibilities under the CRFFN Act 16 of 2007.
He noted that although the Act empowers the Council to regulate the profession, establish professional standards and provide continuous training for freight forwarders, the Council has failed to effectively implement structured training programmes, enforce professional standards or maintain the confidence of industry stakeholders.
Nwosu cautioned that the absence of sustained training has left many indigenous freight forwarders ill-prepared for emerging trends in digital trade, automation and artificial intelligence, putting them at a disadvantage in an increasingly technology-driven global logistics environment.
He further warned that unless the situation is urgently addressed, indigenous practitioners could gradually lose relevance in international trade, resulting in increased dependence on foreign firms for critical logistics services.
The policy brief also highlighted the potential economic implications of the current trend, warning that weak trade facilitation capacity among local operators could undermine Customs’ revenue collection efforts and reduce Nigeria’s competitiveness in international commerce.
According to Nwosu, inefficient freight forwarding operations may contribute to revenue leakages, slower cargo clearance processes and reduced confidence among international trading partners.
Beyond the economic implications, he identified serious professional concerns, noting that the continued neglect of capacity development could lead to the de-professionalisation of freight forwarding, where the practice gradually degenerates into an informal and largely unregulated activity.
He also expressed concern over the growing skills gap between Nigerian practitioners and their foreign counterparts, warning that indigenous freight forwarders may struggle to meet international best practices without deliberate intervention.
On national security, Nwosu argued that excessive reliance on foreign freight forwarding companies could expose Nigeria’s trade processes to external influence and manipulation, while weakening the capacity of local operators to support the Nigeria Customs Service in protecting national economic interests.
To address the challenges, the NAGAFF Secretary General called for a comprehensive reform agenda anchored on mandatory professional training and certification for freight forwarders in line with global standards.
He also urged the CRFFN to prioritise digital transformation by equipping practitioners with the knowledge and skills required to utilise artificial intelligence, digital compliance systems and modern logistics technologies.
Nwosu further advocated the strict enforcement of the provisions of the CRFFN Act to strengthen the regulatory framework governing freight forwarding practice in Nigeria.
He also recommended stronger collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service, the CRFFN and freight forwarding associations to develop sustainable capacity-building programmes capable of preparing practitioners for the future of international trade.
In addition, he called for a nationwide awareness campaign to educate stakeholders and policymakers on the strategic importance of indigenous freight forwarders to Nigeria’s economy and the dangers of allowing the profession to be dominated by foreign interests.
He maintained that Nigeria’s maritime economy cannot achieve its full potential if indigenous freight forwarders continue to be neglected while other segments of the industry embrace technological advancement.
According to him, protecting and empowering local freight forwarders is essential not only for improving trade facilitation and revenue generation but also for preserving professional standards, strengthening national capacity and safeguarding the country’s long-term economic interests.
