History

National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) was formally established on the 30th November, 1999 in Lagos. Recognition of the importance of a professional freight forwarders’ Association in Nigeria and given the new world economic order-(one of globalisation and liberalization).  Over 3000 professional freight forwarders attended the inaugural meeting under the leadership of Dr. Boniface Aniebonam who was also unanimously elected the National President. A handful of experts and adhoc working groups were also established to assist in putting NAGAFF in proper shape and at par with her counterparts in other parts of the world. The good news about NAGAFF is that until its establishment there was no professional freight forwarders’ organisation recognized by government as representing all or the majority of freight forwarding companies operating in the country. The existing associations do not speak for the profession.

 There were few associations that claimed to represent and defend the interests of their members. These associations generally gather sub-elements of the profession such as Customs brokers. This is a reflection of the lack of proper identity perceived by the industry itself and the misconception that they are only restricted to Customs Brokerage function only.  Hence the expansion of the scope of practitioners to freight forwarding generally.

 Dr. Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam (the Founder or better still, the one who saw the vision) piloted the affairs of NAGAFF as pioneer President for 6years upholding with tenacity the vision of liberating freight forwarding practitioners who hitherto existed hopelessly.  Within the same period Dr. Aniebonam consistently played catalytically role in the establishment of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), which has now become the clearing house of all the freight forwarding associations in Nigeria.

 At exactly 6years in office, Dr. B.O. Aniebonam stepped down as the President of NAGAFF and assumed the position of the Chairman Board of Trustees (BOT).  A position he later relinquished, officially when he pulled out from active association politics in a colourful ceremony at the Lagos Mainland Hotel on the 5th May 2010.

 Dr. B.O. Aniebonam was succeeded by the Late Mr. Usman Sanusi, who led the association for 4 years and handed over to Mr. Eugene Nweke the current President of NAGAFF in November 2009.

 NAGAFF in spite of the harsh business environment, stiff competition and the global meltdown has continued to wax strong both in numerical strength and National spread.

 Today, NAGAFF remains the only umbrella body of freight forwarders in Nigeria.

 As is the case with sister associations globally, NAGAFF members as professional freight forwarders are involved in the provision of services of any kind relating to the carriage, consolidation, storage, handling, packing or distribution of goods, as well as ancillary and advisory services in connection therewith, including, but not limited to Customs and fiscal matters, declaring the goods for official purposes and collecting or procuring payment or documents relating to the goods.

 NAGAFF’s membership is spread across Nigerian seaports, international airports and approved Customs border stations in Nigeria.