Nwosu Urges Parliament to Back Policy Framework for Stronger Local Logistics Industry
The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has called for the strategic consolidation of freight forwarding companies in Nigeria, describing the move as critical to strengthening local operators, improving service delivery and safeguarding the nation’s economic and security interests.
The call was made by Godfrey Emeka Nwosu, Secretary-General of NAGAFF, in a policy briefing on the need for greater collaboration and consolidation among freight forwarding companies.
Nwosu argued that the increasing fragmentation of the local freight forwarding industry has weakened the competitiveness of indigenous operators and created room for growing foreign dominance in a sector considered vital to Nigeria’s trade facilitation and economic development.
According to him, consolidating smaller freight forwarding companies into stronger and more coordinated entities would enable local operators to achieve economies of scale, improve operational efficiency and compete more effectively in an increasingly globalised logistics market.
He noted that consolidation could reduce transportation costs through shared cargo capacity, minimise underutilised capacity and empty runs, while also improving delivery schedules and service reliability.
Beyond individual operators, NAGAFF said the benefits would extend across the wider maritime and logistics value chain.
For shippers, consolidation could provide access to more affordable and efficient logistics services, while Customs authorities would benefit from more streamlined cargo inspection and clearance processes. Port operators, in turn, could experience improved cargo flow and reduced congestion.
Nwosu further highlighted the potential economic benefits, including increased market reach, stronger profit margins, enhanced trade competitiveness and improved government revenue.
He also stressed the security implications of consolidation, noting that properly coordinated cargo movements would be easier to monitor and regulate, thereby strengthening efforts to combat smuggling and other forms of illicit trade.
NAGAFF Seeks Legislative Support
The association urged lawmakers to develop an enabling regulatory framework to guide consolidation practices while protecting indigenous freight forwarding companies from unfair competition.
NAGAFF also called for increased investment in warehousing facilities, transport corridors and digital logistics systems, alongside targeted capacity-building programmes for freight forwarders and customs brokers.
It further advocated stronger cargo-monitoring and security protocols, as well as expanded public-private partnerships between government agencies and industry stakeholders.
According to Nwosu, consolidation should not be viewed merely as a commercial strategy but as a broader national economic imperative capable of strengthening Nigeria’s logistics ecosystem and enhancing its economic sovereignty.
He maintained that with the right policy environment, local freight forwarders could transform from fragmented operators into stronger, more competitive enterprises capable of playing a leading role in Nigeria’s trade and logistics development.
NAGAFF therefore called on Parliament and relevant government agencies to act decisively in creating policies that would support consolidation, protect indigenous operators and position Nigerian freight forwarding companies as stronger contributors to national economic growth, trade facilitation and security.
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