Stakeholders in Nigeria’s freight forwarding industry have renewed calls for reform in the country’s engagement with the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), following years of internal frictions, compliance lapses, and threats of delisting from the global body.
Nigeria is officially listed in the FIATA directory as a country member, represented by the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN). Established under Act No. 16 of 2007, CRFFN serves as the statutory body responsible for regulating, training, and registering freight forwarders in the country. Its mandate also includes developing standards of competence, promoting professional conduct, and linking Nigeria’s freight forwarding community with international organizations such as FIATA.
Despite these structures, Nigeria’s participation in FIATA has been far from stable. As far back as 2011, disputes erupted between the CRFFN and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), which questioned Nigeria’s true standing within FIATA and called for an independent inquiry into the country’s membership status. Similar criticisms resurfaced in 2020, when industry players accused CRFFN of failing to properly maintain Nigeria’s membership in FIATA and to ensure effective participation in international programs. By 2022, there were reports that Nigeria risked being delisted from the global body due to alleged non-compliance and lack of active engagement.
These recurring tensions have continued to undermine Nigeria’s credibility in the international freight forwarding community. Industry observers note that while many Nigerian companies are individually registered members of FIATA, the collective national representation through CRFFN has not delivered the expected visibility, influence, or benefit.
Speaking on the development, the Head of Research at Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC), Forwarder Eugene Nweke, observed that Nigeria’s engagement with FIATA has suffered due to internal wrangling, poor compliance, and weak representation in international decision-making structures. According to him, Nigeria possesses all the ingredients necessary to play a leading role in global freight forwarding — a large economy, high trade volumes, and a legally recognized regulatory framework — yet internal divisions and lack of consistent engagement have eroded these advantages.
“CRFFN has the legal authority to coordinate Nigeria’s freight forwarding sector,” Nweke said. “However, the persistent frictions between the council and accredited associations have weakened our collective voice and credibility before the international community. If this continues, Nigeria risks losing the recognition and benefits that come with FIATA affiliation.”
Nweke explained that although many freight forwarding and logistics firms in Nigeria are listed as FIATA members, the country has failed to fully utilize the opportunities that membership provides, such as access to technical training, international certification, and the adoption of global best practices. He added that the underutilization of FIATA’s resources, coupled with the absence of Nigerian representation in the federation’s leadership, has limited the country’s influence in shaping global freight forwarding policy.
He stressed the need for Nigeria to first address its internal disputes by reconciling the relationship between CRFFN and freight forwarding associations, to project a unified national voice in international forums. He also urged the CRFFN to ensure full compliance with FIATA’s membership requirements, including prompt payment of dues, active reporting, and participation in global programs.
Beyond administrative compliance, Nweke called for capacity building within the industry to prepare Nigerian professionals for leadership roles in FIATA’s governing structures, arguing that such representation would strengthen Nigeria’s position and enhance its influence in shaping global logistics policies. He further advocated for the adoption of FIATA’s technical and digital standards in Nigeria, including its documentation systems and professional training schemes such as the FIATA Diploma, which are globally recognized benchmarks in freight forwarding.
According to him, Nigeria must also strengthen regional collaboration with neighbouring countries such as Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal to promote a unified West African agenda within FIATA, especially on key regional trade and logistics corridors like the Lagos–Abidjan route. He added that with Ghana’s recent election of Stephen Adjokatcher to FIATA’s Extended Board, Nigeria could take inspiration and build momentum for more active participation at the global level.
Nweke maintained that Nigeria’s stronger engagement with FIATA could yield immense benefits, including greater global visibility, access to funding and capacity-building programs, and enhanced competitiveness for Nigerian freight forwarders. He emphasized that effective representation could also position Nigeria as a logistics hub for the West African subregion, attracting investment and fostering regional trade integration.
He concluded by urging stakeholders to rise above politics and personal interests in the pursuit of professionalism, accountability, and collaboration within the freight forwarding sector. “For once, Nigeria must put aside politics and lacklustre attitudes towards the development of the freight forwarding profession,” he said. “It is time to get serious and reposition the sector for national and regional good.”
