Enforce Tariff Suspension on Shipping Firms, Freight Forwarders Urge Shippers’ Council

The president of the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, has commended individuals, freight forwarding associations, stakeholders, and industry players who have expressed strong concern and taken decisive actions over the recent shipping tariff hike.

In a press statement issued on Saturday, Ogunojemite, however, cautioned that the recent announcement by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) directing shipping companies to suspend the tariff increase should not yet be seen as a final victory.

According to him, the development may only represent a tactical retreat by the shipping companies rather than a complete resolution of the issue.

“We have seen this pattern before. Announcements are made, but in reality, shipping companies quietly proceed with implementation, exploiting weak enforcement and regulatory gaps. This must not happen again,” he said.

He warned that any attempt, whether direct or indirect, to impose the disputed charges would be strongly resisted by freight forwarders across the country.

“Let it be clearly stated, any attempt, direct or indirect, to impose these illegal and unjustified charges will be met with total resistance from freight forwarders nationwide,” Ogunojemite added.

The APFFLON president further stressed that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council must go beyond issuing directives by ensuring visible enforcement, strict compliance, and the immediate reversal of any hidden or backdoor charges that may have already been introduced.

He also urged the Council to demonstrate its regulatory authority through decisive actions capable of restoring stakeholders’ confidence in the system.

“We call on the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to move beyond statements and prove its authority through decisive enforcement actions. Anything short of this will confirm the fears of stakeholders that regulatory institutions are being undermined,” he said.

Ogunojemite maintained that freight forwarders would remain vigilant to ensure that the system is not manipulated again.

“Freight forwarders will not sit back and watch the system be manipulated again. Enough is enough. Compliance is not optional,” he stated.