NAGAFF Condemns Freight Associations' Alleged Sabotage, Calls For Deregistration

 

Harboursandport.com: Lagos, Nigeria — August 4, 2025: The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF has launched a scathing critique of four accredited members during a press conference held on Monday, accusing them of undermining the regulatory authority of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, CRFFN.

Speaking on behalf of the association, NAGAFF President Tochukwu Ezisi expressed deep concerns over recent moves by the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Association of Registered Freight Forwarders, AREFF, National Association of Freight Forwarders and Consolidators, NAFFAC, and the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, NCMDLCA, citing their alignment with a court ruling obtained by NCMDLCA’s President, Lucky Amiwero.

The judgment in question challenges CRFFN’s authority to regulate Customs Agents and collection of the Practitioner Operating Fee, POF. However, NAGAFF reminded the public that CRFFN has already filed an appeal and stay of execution, rendering the ruling temporarily unenforceable.

“It’s ironic,” Ezisi noted, “that Amiwero now condemns those same associations that are exploiting his legal victory. It shows their opportunism and lack of credibility.”

Highlighting what it described as a “political vendetta” triggered by the appointment of former NAGAFF Secretary, Mr. Kingsley Igwe, as CRFFN Registrar, the association called for a government investigation into what it termed “economic and regulatory sabotage” in the marine and blue economy sectors. NAGAFF urged the CRFFN to consider deregistering the four associations and recommended withdrawal of their CAC certificates.

Despite ongoing disputes, NAGAFF expressed full support for Igwe’s leadership, citing key accomplishments such as expanding CRFFN's funding beyond POF, initiating training for 1,000 freight forwarders (with 300 already trained), and championing digital modernization.

The statement concluded with unwavering support for the administration of President Bola Tinubu and a call to advance professionalism, transparency, and national service within the freight forwarding industry.