The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has commenced moves to train its members with a view to standardizing the freight forwarding profession in Nigeria.

Disclosing this to newsmen in Lagos recently, Chairman of the Council, Alhaji Akeem Olarewju said that the Council has concluded plans with the Fédération Internationale des Associations de Transitaires et Assimilés FIATA, (International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations ) to it in the training its member. Olarewaju stated that the moves to professionalize the practice to make members to take responsibility for their action and separate the quacks from the genuine practitioners.

He explained that Nigeria before now, has had a bad image before the comity of international freight forwarders adding that confidence is gradually being restored

He further disclosed that the moment the practice of freight forwarding is professionalized in Nigeria, more jobs will be created as even the banks will require the services of the professional freight forwarders to do their ‘Form Ms’ and their letters of credit.

He stated that the industry is no more for all comers, adding that any new comer will need to get accredited and certified before he or she can practice as plans to involve the Universities in the process of training freight forwarders are on going.

The Council’s boss said that more than 70% of its members do not have more than the Secondary School Certificate and their level of education and knowledge of the trade has also limited their growth.

“We are trying to professionalize the practice of freight forwarding and there is no university offering freight forwarding as a course of study in Nigeria.

“We are trying to bring the practice of freight forwarding to international standard, this is the only way I can put my name in gold by ensuring that the Council works” he stated.

He also stated that about 30 of its members will first go through train the trainers programme after which they will begin to train other Nigerians.

The seasoned freight forwarder said that any unregistered freight forwarder cannot practice except the Council certify such person…