The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) Board In-Council has condemned the actions of four freight forwarding associations – ANLCA, AREFF, NAFFAC, and NCMDLCA – accusing them of sabotaging the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN).
The Board said it has been patient and watching various developments in the industry, particularly after the appointment of the current Registrar of the CRFFN, Mr. Kingsley Igwe. “The reason we chose to remain calm and silent was to avoid being seen as patronising or partisan. Honestly, we also expected our colleagues to have a rethink and be professional in their actions and stop creating unnecessary disturbances. Unfortunately, the situation did not abate, hence the need for this press release”.
NAGAFF claims these associations are trying to hide under a court judgment to ridicule the CRFFN, an agency established by an Act of the National Assembly.
“The gladiators aligned themselves with the alleged court verdict of the case instituted against the CRFFN by the factional President of NCMDLCA, Mr. Lucky Eyis Amiwero. The said judgment was delivered by the Federal High Court, Lagos, on 26th May 2025 in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/765/2018.
“The CRFFN has since appealed to challenge the ruling of the Lagos High Court, with copies of the Notice of Appeal filed by the CRFFN and Proof of Service of the Notice of Appeal on the Plaintiff (NCMDLCA).
“It is also on record that an application for a stay of execution of the judgment has also been filed in the same court of first instance. This simply means that the judgment remains invalid pending the outcome of the appeal court decision”, the NAGAFF Board in-Council explained in the statement.
NAGAFF alleges that these groups have a history of non-compliance with CRFFN regulations, including refusing to pay Practitioners Operating Fees (POF) and annual subscriptions. The association also accuses them of impersonating Licensed Customs Agents, a nomenclature that has been repealed.
Key Demands from NAGAFF:
– Deregistration of the Four Associations: NAGAFF is calling for the deregistration of ANLCA, AREFF, NAFFAC, and NCMDLCA due to their alleged sabotage and threats to government revenue.
– Adoption of New Nomenclature: NAGAFF urges the associations to adopt the new label of “Customs Representatives” in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and toe the line of professionalism.
– Support for CRFFN Registrar: NAGAFF has passed a vote of confidence on CRFFN Registrar, Mr. Kingsley Igwe, citing his quality leadership and innovative ideas.
NAGAFF asserts that it represents over 80 per cent of freight forwarders in Nigeria and has been paying POF despite discouragements.
The association warns that attempts to sponsor petitions against CRFFN management will be met with resistance.