By Providence Ayanfeoluwa

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has called on the Federal Government to integrate freight forwarding development into Nigeria’s Blue Economy strategy, describing the sector as a critical driver of sustainable economic growth, trade facilitation and revenue generation. The association said immediate policy actions are needed to modernise the maritime sector and position Nigeria as a leading maritime hub in West Africa.

In a policy brief titled “Harnessing the Blue Economy for Freight Forwarding Development in Nigeria,” the Secretary General of NAGAFF, Emeka Nwosu, said the country’s maritime sector remains a cornerstone of national development. He noted that the Blue Economy, which promotes the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and environmental protection, offers a unique opportunity to reposition Nigeria’s maritime ecosystem.

According to Nwosu, the adoption of Blue Economy principles will significantly improve the maritime sector through port modernisation, digital trade integration and sustainable utilisation of marine resources. He explained that deploying smart technologies at ports would reduce congestion and cargo clearance delays, while the adoption of artificial intelligence, blockchain technology and e-Customs systems would enhance transparency and operational efficiency.

He added that sustainable investments in fisheries, aquaculture and marine biotechnology would diversify revenue sources for both the Federal Government and the states, while strengthening Nigeria’s position as a preferred maritime hub in the sub-region. Improved port efficiency, he said, would also reduce cargo diversion to neighbouring countries and enhance regional competitiveness.

The NAGAFF Secretary General stressed that states stand to benefit immensely from the Blue Economy through diversified revenue streams beyond crude oil, increased employment opportunities in logistics, shipping and marine services, and greater investment in port infrastructure and inland waterways. He also noted that aligning Nigeria’s maritime practices with international standards under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) would improve the country’s participation in regional and global trade.

On freight forwarding, Nwosu described the subsector as an indispensable link in Nigeria’s international trade chain. He said the Blue Economy would strengthen the profession through structured capacity building, mandatory compliance training and the deployment of digital logistics systems. According to him, a more skilled freight forwarding workforce would improve Customs operations, reduce trade bottlenecks and enhance revenue collection.

To achieve these objectives, NAGAFF recommended mandatory training and certification for freight forwarders in line with global standards, to be enforced by the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN). The association also advocated the integration of AI and digital tools into freight forwarding operations, stronger collaboration among the Nigeria Customs Service, CRFFN and freight forwarding associations, increased investment in smart ports and inland waterways, strict enforcement of the CRFFN Act to protect indigenous practitioners, and sustained national awareness campaigns on the opportunities presented by the Blue Economy.

Nwosu concluded that Nigeria’s Blue Economy agenda can only achieve its full potential if freight forwarding development is placed at its centre. He maintained that empowering practitioners through professional training, strengthening regulatory enforcement and modernising maritime infrastructure would improve trade facilitation, expand government revenue and firmly establish Nigeria as the leading maritime and logistics hub in West Africa.