The Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Dr. Kingsley Igwe, says Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind in the air cargo ecosystem, as it presents enormous opportunities for the national economy.
He said this while delivering a speech at the Aviation Day of the just concluded the 22nd Akwaaba Africa Travel Market with the theme, ” The Future of Air Cargo and Freight Forwarding in Nigeria” in Lagos.
Igwe noted that the growth of
e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, agricultural exports, high-value manufactured goods and other time-sensitive commodities presents Nigeria with an opportunity to strengthen its position within regional and global supply chains.
He, however, stated that realising this potential requires more than infrastructure, adding that It requires an efficient and interconnected ecosystem in which airlines, airports, Customs, regulators, freight forwarders, terminal and ground-handling operators, technology providers and other stakeholders work together towards common objectives.
He pointed out that CRFFN as the Council responsible for regulating and developing the freight forwarding profession in Nigeria, it recognises that the freight forwarder of the future must be much more than an intermediary.
The modern freight forwarder, he said must must be technology-enabled logistics professional, a trusted supply-chain partner and a facilitator of seamless international trade.
Consequently, Igwe said, CRFFN remain committed to promoting professionalism, competence, ethical standards, continuous capacity development and the effective deployment of technology within the freight forwarding profession.
Digital transformation, the CRFFN boss said must remain at the heart of Nigeria’s collective agenda.
According to him, “We must continue to reduce manual processes, eliminate unnecessary delays, improve information sharing and enhance end-to-end visibility of cargo.”
He posited that initiatives such as the National Single Window, alongside other digital trade and logistics platforms such as the recently approved CRFFN Logroom 4.1 initiative for freight services pricing mechanisms provides significant opportunities to improve transparency, efficiency and ease of doing business, provided they are effectively implemented, integrated and supported by all stakeholders.
“We must also confront the persistent challenges of multiple regulatory interfaces, cargo clearance delays, inadequate infrastructure, high logistics costs and gaps in stakeholder coordination,” Igwe said.
The CRFFN Chief Executive Officer pointed out that these challenges cannot be addressed in isolation as they require the entire industry approach anchored on collaboration, accountability and shared responsibility.
He also submitted that the future of air cargo must also be firmly connected to Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.
“We must ask ourselves how we can leverage air cargo to support Nigerian farmers, manufacturers, exporters, SMEs and other businesses seeking access to international markets.
“An efficient air cargo system can help Nigerian products reach markets faster, reduce wastage of perishable goods and enhance the competitiveness of our exporters.
This is where freight forwarding becomes critical,” he noted.
CRFFN, Igwe said is committed to deepening its collaboration with Akwaaba Africa Travel Market and all relevant stakeholders to build a freight forwarding environment that is professional, efficient, transparent, technology-driven and globally competitive.
He urged participants to
use Akwaaba not merely to discuss the future, but to also define practical actions and partnerships that will take Nigeria to where it should be
The Nigeria we envision, he said must have a freight forwarding profession that is respected internationally, supported by competent professionals, enabled by technology and positioned at the heart of national economic development.
Igwe commended the organisers of Akwaaba Africa Travel Market for not only organising this important market but also for providing a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, identify challenges and develop solutions for the growth of Nigeria’s air cargo sector.
Akwaaba as a platform, he said continues to provide an avenue for meaningful dialogue, collaboration and the advancement of Nigeria’s air cargo and logistics industry.
He also thanked the organisers for sustaining this important conference and for assembling key stakeholders whose decisions and actions will shape the future of Nigeria’s industry.
Akwaaba, Igwe noted came at a time when global trade and logistics are undergoing rapid transformation, driven by technology, changing consumer expectations, evolving supply chains and the increasing demand for speed, efficiency and transparency
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