The Courier and Logistics Management Institute (CLMI) has made an urgent appeal for the creation of an independent regulatory commission to rescue Nigeria's struggling logistics sector and position it for global competitiveness.
Nigeria's Regulatory Gap in Logistics
Prof. Simon Emeje, the Executive Chairman of CLMI, sounded the alarm during a press briefing ahead of the institute's International Conference and Investiture scheduled for today. He revealed that despite being Africa's largest economy, Nigeria remains among the less than three percent of countries worldwide without an independent regulatory framework for its courier and logistics industry.
"Without a structured regulatory body to harmonise policies and stabilise the operating environment, the industry will remain stagnant," Emeje warned journalists. He emphasized that this regulatory vacuum has created numerous challenges for operators.
Industry Challenges and Economic Impact
The absence of unified regulation has subjected logistics companies to inconsistent tariffs, conflicting policies, and a harsh business climate that has forced many firms to either shut down or diversify into other sectors. Emeje particularly highlighted the problem of overlapping controls from multiple agencies, especially customs, which often leaves operators stranded and confused.
The CLMI chairman stressed that the courier and logistics industry is highly technical and should not be managed by non-professionals. While acknowledging the importance of digitalization, he clarified that it cannot replace the physical movement of goods, underscoring the sector's fundamental nature.
Emeje expressed frustration over the long delay in passing crucial regulatory bills that were initially drafted as far back as 2005. "Hopes of establishing the commission were high at the time, but nearly two decades later, the bill has yet to see the light of day," he lamented.
Massive Economic Potential and Training Initiatives
Despite the challenges, the CLMI chairman highlighted the enormous economic potential of Nigeria's logistics market, which is valued at approximately $60 billion, with asset value estimated between N15 trillion and N20 trillion.
Emeje acknowledged the country's shortage of sufficient logistics professionals but noted that institutions like CLMI are expanding training opportunities and pushing for logistics inclusion in university curricula to address this gap.
On global trade challenges, the professor commented on rising U.S. tariffs under shifting policies, urging Nigeria and other African nations to strengthen intra-continental trade through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
"Africa possesses abundant resources and an internal market large enough to drive economic growth without overdependence on foreign markets," Emeje argued, pointing to regional cooperation as the way forward.
The upcoming CLMI International Conference and Investiture, themed "Building Entrepreneurship and National Wealth Through Trade Logistics," will feature prominent figures including Chairman of the Senate Committee on Communications, Ikra Aliyu Bilbis, as conference chairman, and Nigerian Ports Authority Chairman, Senator Adedayo Clement Adeyeye, as keynote speaker.
The event will also gather renowned personalities shaping Africa's logistics and trade landscape, including Capt. Giorgio Enrico Del Celo, CEO of Primenext Logistics; Dr. Sola Obabori, Executive Director of Corporate Services at NAHCO; Dr. Sonny Allison, Founder of RedStar Plc.; and Dr. Ebere Njoku, Director-General of the Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce and Industry, among others.
