As Nigeria intensifies efforts to unlock the vast economic potential of its marine resources, the Secretary-General of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Godfrey Nwosu, has urged the Federal Government to place freight forwarding at the heart of the country’s Blue Economy strategy.
Nwosu argued that without deliberate investment in freight forwarding, smart port infrastructure, and logistics modernisation, Nigeria risks falling short of its ambition to become West Africa’s leading maritime and trade hub.
In a policy brief entitled “Harnessing the Blue Economy for Freight Forwarding Development in Nigeria,” the NAGAFF scribe said integrating freight forwarding into the national Blue Economy framework would enhance trade facilitation, strengthen customs efficiency, boost government revenue, and improve Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and global supply chains.
He described the maritime sector as one of Nigeria’s most strategic economic assets, noting that the Blue Economy offers an opportunity to drive sustainable economic growth through the responsible use of ocean resources while protecting the marine environment.
According to him, freight forwarding remains the backbone of efficient international trade and must receive greater policy attention if Nigeria is to maximise the economic benefits of its ports and waterways.
Nwosu stressed that modernising the nation’s ports with smart technologies would significantly reduce congestion, accelerate cargo clearance and improve operational efficiency.
He also advocated the deployment of digital trade solutions, including artificial intelligence, blockchain technology and electronic Customs systems, saying such innovations would enhance transparency, reduce human interference and improve cargo processing across Nigerian ports.
“The Blue Economy presents a unique opportunity to reposition Nigeria’s maritime ecosystem for sustainable development. Freight forwarding must be recognised as a critical pillar in achieving that vision through improved logistics, professional competence, and digital transformation,” he stated.
Beyond port operations, Nwosu said sustainable development of marine resources—including fisheries, aquaculture and marine biotechnology—would diversify economic opportunities for coastal communities and create new sources of revenue for governments.
He maintained that improved maritime infrastructure and efficient logistics systems would also reduce cargo diversion to neighbouring countries while strengthening Nigeria’s position under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The NAGAFF Secretary-General identified professional capacity development as another critical requirement for the sector’s transformation.
He called for mandatory training and certification of freight forwarders in line with international best practices, to be enforced by the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN).
According to him, a highly skilled freight forwarding workforce would improve customs compliance, facilitate legitimate trade and increase the efficiency of Nigeria’s supply chain ecosystem.
Nwosu also recommended deeper collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service, CRFFN and freight forwarding associations to strengthen industry standards, improve compliance and support continuous professional development.
He further advocated increased government investment in smart port infrastructure, inland waterways and digital logistics platforms, alongside strict enforcement of the CRFFN Act to safeguard indigenous freight forwarding practitioners.
He equally called for sustained public enlightenment campaigns to create greater awareness of the economic opportunities embedded in the Blue Economy.
According to him, expanding economic activities around fisheries, shipping, tourism, marine logistics and port services would create thousands of jobs while reducing the country’s dependence on oil revenue.
Nwosu concluded that integrating freight forwarding into Nigeria’s Blue Economy strategy is no longer optional but a strategic necessity capable of accelerating trade, enhancing revenue generation and positioning the country as a competitive maritime gateway for Africa.
Industry observers say his recommendations align with the Federal Government’s broader agenda of expanding the Blue Economy as a major driver of economic diversification, while reinforcing ongoing reforms aimed at modernising Nigeria’s ports, improving trade facilitation and attracting greater investment into the maritime sector.
