The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has announced plans to revalidate all existing freight forwarding licenses in preparation for the launch of the National Single Window (NSW) platform in the first quarter of 2026. Those who do not have valid registration will not access the platform.

Registrar of the Council, Kingsley Igwe, disclosed this during a high-level meeting with Dr. Tola Fakolade, Director of the National Single Window Project, at the CRFFN headquarters in Lagos. He stressed that only duly registered freight forwarders and companies will be allowed to operate on the digital platform.

?Only freight forwarding companies and registered practitioners will gain access to the National Single Window platform,? Igwe said, adding that the CRFFN remains committed to enforcing its regulatory mandate over the profession.

Highlighting gaps in the system, Igwe revealed that although more than 40,000 companies operate within Nigeria?s logistics ecosystem, many are yet to register with the CRFFN. He assured that the council will work closely with the NSW project team to align licensing requirements with the demands of the platform.

As part of ongoing reforms, the Registrar noted that the council has begun capturing biometric data of freight forwarders at airports in collaboration with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Plans are underway to extend the exercise to seaports in partnership with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

Reaffirming CRFFN?s exclusive role, Igwe declared: ?Our role as regulator is incontrovertible. We are the sole body overseeing freight forwarding practice in the country?not the associations registered under us.? He cited major players such as DHL and FedEx, which are registered with CRFFN but unaffiliated with any association, as examples of the council?s wide regulatory reach.

On his part, Fakolade emphasized that the federal government will depend on CRFFN to provide the official list of accredited freight forwarding companies eligible to access the NSW platform.

The National Single Window initiative, set to go live in 2026, aims to streamline Nigeria?s import and export processes through a centralized electronic system that integrates government agencies and trade stakeholders. By enhancing efficiency, transparency, and competitiveness, the NSW is expected to significantly improve the nation?s trade environment. (The Sun)

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