Freight Forwarders must take centre stage in Nigeria’s fishing value chain- MARCON Patron, Ezisi
Maureen Aguta
The National President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) and Patron of the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON), High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, has called for the stronger integration of freight forwarders into Nigeria’s fishing value chain to improve logistics, strengthen supply chains and boost food security.
Ezisi made the call in his opening remarks at the National Conference on Sustainable Fishing, organised by MARCON and held at Rockview Hotel, Apapa on Wednesday.
The conference, themed “Sustainable Fishing in Nigeria: Pathways to Growth, Food Security, and Coastal Livelihoods,” brought together stakeholders to examine the challenges confronting the fishing industry and explore measures for sustainable growth.
Represented by the Secretary-General of NAGAFF, Godfrey Nwosu, Ezisi said efficient logistics and transparent supply chains were essential to ensuring that fish harvested sustainably reached consumers safely, affordably and in compliance with international standards.
He argued that the contribution of freight forwarders to the fishing industry extended beyond the traditional facilitation of trade, stressing that they were critical players in the movement of fish and fisheries-related products along the value chain.
According to him, freight forwarders could contribute significantly to food security, efficient distribution and the economic wellbeing of coastal communities if their role was deliberately incorporated into fisheries policies and practices.
“Their impact on the fishing industry deserves our attention and deliberate integration into policy and practice,” he stated.
Ezisi described fishing as more than an economic activity, noting that the sector provides food, employment and livelihoods for millions of Nigerians, particularly people living in coastal communities.
He therefore called for greater commitment to sustainable fishing practices, warning that continued depletion of Nigeria’s aquatic resources could undermine the ability of future generations to depend on the sector.
The NAGAFF president said stakeholders must pursue policies capable of balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility, while protecting the livelihoods of fishing communities and improving access to food.
He added that the conference offered an important platform for government agencies, industry operators and other stakeholders to develop practical solutions to the challenges facing Nigeria’s fisheries sector.
Ezisi commended MARCON for convening the conference, stressing that greater attention should be paid to logistics and freight forwarding as integral components of the fishing value chain.
He said stronger collaboration among stakeholders would help create a more efficient fisheries supply chain, reduce avoidable logistics bottlenecks and strengthen the sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s food security and blue economy.