The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has called for deeper collaboration, harmonised regulations, and full-scale digital integration across the nation’s cargo value chain to unlock efficiency and strengthen Nigeria’s position in the regional and global logistics market.
Speaking at the FAAN Stakeholder Engagement Session on Air Cargo Operations held on November 26, 2025, in Ikeja, Lagos, the Registrar and CEO of CRFFN, Mr. Kingsley Igwe, said the forum was both “timely and strategic,” especially as Nigeria works to enhance trade facilitation and reposition its aviation logistics sector.
Addressing a hall of industry leaders, freight forwarders, service providers, regulators, and government representatives, Igwe commended the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for convening the engagement, noting that building a world-class air cargo ecosystem depends largely on collaboration and accessibility among all actors.
He emphasised that the cargo value chain is inherently interconnected, involving airlines, ground handlers, freight forwarders, regulators, customs, quarantine services, security agencies, terminal operators, transporters, and financial institutions. When collaboration breaks down, he said, the system becomes plagued by bottlenecks, delays and reduced competitiveness.
Igwe stressed the need for stronger regulatory coherence, noting that duplications in agency functions continue to slow down cargo clearance. He said CRFFN is working towards a standardized compliance framework rooted in professionalism and international best practices, while urging improved collaboration among agencies such as FAAN, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and CRFFN.
According to him, “No airport ecosystem can be world-class if its regulatory operations are fragmented.”
The CRFFN boss identified digitalisation as another critical pillar for transforming the cargo system, insisting that automation reforms—including the National Single Window—must be fully embraced by all stakeholders. He highlighted CRFFN’s own contributions through its Integrated Digitalization Initiative (IDi) and LogRoom 4.1 platform, which are designed to support transparent and accountable cargo processes.
He added that seamless data flow would make operational collaboration more natural and significantly reduce delays.
Igwe also called for improvements to physical infrastructure, noting that modern cargo terminals, upgraded cold chain systems, efficient last-mile logistics and advanced handling equipment are essential for smooth operations. He emphasised the need for continuous capacity building for freight forwarders, aligned with ICAO and FIATA standards, to ensure Nigeria’s operators can meet global expectations.
On strengthening trust and communication in the industry, Igwe recommended institutionalising regular stakeholder dialogues and establishing joint task teams comprising FAAN, CRFFN and other agencies to quickly resolve operational challenges. Industry associations such as NAGAFF and ANLCA, he said, must be consistently engaged to ensure policies reflect realities on the ground.
He reminded participants that the responsibility for building a world-class air cargo ecosystem does not rest on any single agency.
“FAAN cannot do it alone. CRFFN cannot do it alone. No single agency can build the system Nigeria needs without close collaboration,” he said. “But together, we can reduce delays. Together, we can improve compliance. Together, we can strengthen infrastructure.”
Igwe reaffirmed CRFFN’s commitment to deepening its partnership with FAAN and all stakeholders, expressing optimism that the deliberations from the session would produce solutions capable of driving Nigeria’s air cargo sector toward global competitiveness.
