CRFFN, UNILAG Sign MOU To Deliver FIATA Training

By Kenneth Jukpor

As part of efforts to ensure professionalism and enhance capacity development of freight forwarders in Nigeria, the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to develop the capacity of freight forwarders in the country.

UNILAG has been accreditated by CRFFN to offer Diploma in Freight Forwarding and Supply Chain Management and Higher Diploma in Supply Chain Management.

This occurred at an event which took place at the CRFFN’s headquarters in Lagos on Monday as the Registrar of CRFFN, Barr. Samuel Nwakohu and the Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos who was represented by the Deputy Director, Institute of Maritime Studies, Mr. Olusegun Adeaga signed the three year agreement which would be reviewed in 2022.

Recall that CRFFN has been accredited by the world body called FIATA which regulates and engages capacity on freight forwarding and supply chain management.

During his remarks at the event, the Registrar of CRFFN, Barr. Samuel Nwakohu noted that training was the core of CRFFN mandate, assuring that the Council would continue to work towards a shift in the paradigm from a situation where freight forwarders are seen as unprofessionals to a well respected level as professionals.

“We are telling the world today that CRFFN has a mandate to make sure that freight forwarders in the country act as professionals and how would they do that? It is by learning. They have to go to learning centres, such as universities just like if you want to become a lawyer or a doctor or a journalist, you go through the university and by the time you come out, the general impression will be that you are qualified unless you prove otherwise” he said.

The Registrar stressed that the Council would replicate similar MoUs across the country.

Meanwhile, the representative of the Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Dr. Olusegun Adeaga expressed delight that the Council identified UNILAG as a worthy partner to be on its Governing Council and appreciated the Council’s goodwill to certify and accredit the institution to run its programmes.

“I am here on behalf of my Vice Chancellor and Council members of University of Lagos; as well as the Director, Institute of Maritime Studies, Prof. Ilori. I want to tell you that with the University Motto: ‘In truth and In Deed’, we will always be in truth and in deed to abide by the rules and regulations that has to do with manpower development with regards to freight forwarding and regulation in Nigeria and according to FIATA specifications. I want to once again say that we are very grateful to you for counting us worthy” he said.

Earlier, the Deputy Director and Head, Education and Research, CRFFN, Dr. Alban Igwe said that the meeting was actually to seal up the arrangement that had been ongoing since 2017.

Igwe stated that a certificate would be issued to UNILAG as an accredited training provider noting that,” CRFFN as a regulatory agency executes its training programme essentially through the instrumentality of the education service providers”.

“We have a number of institutions that have been accredited, two of them are waiting to do what we are doing right now which is to sign the Memorandum of Agreement, one is UNILAG which is happening today and by Friday, the second one, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) will happen in Abuja” he added.

 

L-R: Head Special Duties, Registrar’s Office, CRFFN, Mrs. Agnes Adeshiyan, Deputy Director and Head Corporate Affairs CRFFN, Mrs. Chinyere Uromta, Registrar of CRFFN, Barr. Samuel Nwakohu, representative of Vice Chancellor UNILAG, Mr. Olusegun Adeaga, Deputy Director and Head Education and Research CRFFN, Dr. Alban Igwe and Governing Council Committee Chairman on Education and Training CRFFN, Dr. Kayode Farinto; when CRFFN and UNILAG signed an MoU for capacity development of freight forwarders on Monday, this week.