CRFFN Flags Off 2-Day Training For 300 Logistics Professionals

The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has flagged off a professional certification training program for 300 logistics service providers, marking a significant milestone in the industry’s standardisation agenda.

CRFFN Registrar/ CEO, Mr. Kingsley Igwe, stated this during the opening ceremony of a two-day training for logistics professionals which began in Lagos on Thursday.

He remarked that his passion for professionalism, particularly among service providers such as; freight forwarders, haulage operators, customs brokers, and warehouse operators, stems from his experience as a practitioner in the global logistics and supply chain industry.

“As a practitioner, all my days in the port interfacing with other agencies in the clearing chain, I noticed that there is a lot that needs to be fixed. They are not obtainable in the global arena most especially in advanced countries where we compete. That was why when I was appointed as the Registrar of CRFFN, I made it one of my key agenda to conduct massive training for industry practitioners.

“Averagely, it has always been that anyone can enter the port environment to practice and that is why we have a crop of people who do not know what the job is about. When they are confronted with problems they also don’t know how to solve it,” Igwe said.

He expressed optimism that with this training, the Council’s ongoing training at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport featuring three classes in the two-day event, would enable participants enhance their level of professionalism in air freight forwarding business.

“Each class contains 50 accredited professionals. This batch is themed to capture practitioners in air cargo logistics. We will do the same for the sea and land borders and it’s going to be nationwide,” he posited.

The CRFFN boss noted that through this engagement, the Council hopes to close knowledge gaps, improve the professional capacity of practitioners, while strengthening the regulation of the industry bringing at par with global best practices.

“We are remodeling the process of admission to practicing as a freight forwarder or as a logistic service provider in the industry. Before now, anyone could enter the terminals to operate as a freight forwarder.

“A time is coming that if you can not prove yourself, you will not be allowed within this industry. This new era is beginning today and this training is to help those who are serious in the business to make profit.”

Part of the instructors and supervisors for the event cut across experts from the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), CRFFN and the University of Lagos (UNILAG).