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NAGAFF Demands Deregistration of Four Freight Forwarding Associations Over Alleged Sabotage
Lagos – The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has escalated its dispute with four rival associations, calling for their deregistration and the withdrawal of their Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) certificates over alleged sabotage of government reforms in the marine and blue economy sectors.
The affected associations are the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFF), National Association of Air Freight Forwarders and Consolidators (NAFFAC), and National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA).
NAGAFF’s grievances stem from the groups’ public support for a Federal High Court judgment obtained by Lucky Amiwero of NCMDLCA in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/765/2018. The ruling claimed that the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) lacks authority to regulate customs agents and collect the Practitioner Operating Fee (POF).
However, CRFFN has appealed the judgment and filed for a stay of execution, effectively rendering the ruling unenforceable during the appeal process.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, NAGAFF National President Chief Tochukwu Ezisi accused the four associations of failing to meet their statutory financial obligations to CRFFN since the appointment of the current Registrar, Kingsley Igwe.
“These groups have often failed in their statutory financial obligations to CRFFN. ANLCA and NCMDLCA must align their identities with the new Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023,” Ezisi stated.
He described their actions as “economic and regulatory sabotage being carried out under the guise of activism” and called on the government to investigate the matter.
“Those who no longer believe in CRFFN’s mandate should exit the stage,” Ezisi declared, recommending that “CRFFN consider the deregistration of these four associations and request the withdrawal of their CAC certificates in national interest.”
Despite the ongoing disputes, NAGAFF expressed satisfaction with the performance of Registrar Kingsley Igwe, highlighting several achievements within his first year in office:
– Expanding CRFFN’s funding sources beyond POF collections to improve financial sustainability
– Launching a capacity-building initiative to train 1,000 freight forwarders in 2025, with 300 already completed
– Advancing digital modernization and stakeholder collaboration to strengthen CRFFN’s regulatory role
“We hereby pass a vote of absolute confidence on the leadership of the CRFFN Registrar/CEO under the supervision of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola,” Ezisi concluded.
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions within Nigeria’s freight forwarding industry as stakeholders navigate regulatory reforms and structural changes in the marine and blue economy sectors.