Following the recent judgment delivered by the Federal High Court, Ikeja, Lagos on the validity the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) mandate to regulate Licensed Customs Agents, the CRFFN Registrar, Mr. Kingsley Igwe, has highlighted legal provisions in the Council’s Act as well as Nigeria Customs Service Act.
Speaking with journalists during a press conference at the CRFFN headquarters on Tuesday, Mr. Igwe, noted that CRFFN, established by Act No. 16 of 2007, is the legally empowered regulatory authority for freight forwarding practice in Nigeria.
” Section 4(a)-(g) of the CRFFN Act outlines the Council’s core functions, which include: regulation and control of freight forwarding services in Nigeria; determining the standard of knowledge and skill required for registration; issuance of licenses and registration of freight forwarders.
“This mandate unequivocally includes oversight over all freight forwarding service providers, including Customs Licensed Agents when engaged in freight forwarding activities.
He, however, asserted that the role of Customs Licensed Agents as Freight Forwarders is aptly captured in the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, as it reinforces the regulatory role of CRFFN over customs agents who operate within the freight forwarding value chain.
“Section 106(4) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023 states: a Customs representative shall be a freight forwarder and shall be subject to the regulations and code of conduct of the freight forwarding profession in Nigeria.
“This provision legally integrates Customs representatives into the freight forwarding profession, making them subject to the regulatory control and code of conduct established by CRFFN.” the CRFFN Registrar argued.
Igwe expressed worry at the recent viral reports on various media platforms regarding a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court, Ikeja, Lagos on 26th May 2025, which has led to some misconceptions about the Council’s statutory mandate,
“I wish to express deep concern over how it was issued, reportedly without a hearing notice or representation of the defendants named in the suit.
“The Council views the publication of this judgment as the work of mischief makers to derail the peace, reforms, and progress achieved in the freight forwarding sector in recent times. These achievements have been made possible through the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the support of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON,” he added.
Meanwhile, he maintained that the Practitioners Operating Fee (POF) is not a tax or revenue levy, but a statutory fee created under the powers conferred on CRFFN by its establishing Act.
Citing Section 4(e) of the CRFFN Act 2007, he posited that Council to is empowered to maintain a register of persons or organizations engaged in freight forwarding and regulate their conduct, including the imposition of fees as may be prescribed.
