CRFFN Faces Major Setback Over Marine Budget Omission Wrongly Classified Under Transport Ministry
By Roland Ekama
Short falling a stark warning during Tuesday’s budget defense, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, highlighted how the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) will suffer a significant operational setback due to a critical Budget Office error.
The 2026 CRFFN budget was wrongly classified under the Federal Ministry of Transportation instead of its parent body, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy—creating oversight confusion, policy misalignment, and disruptions across the maritime logistics chain.
Oyetola presented the ministry’s overall ₦10,499,984,667.10 budget proposal to a joint National Assembly session, calling it “grossly insufficient” for its vital role in Nigeria’s trade, transport, and food security.
Breakdown: ₦8.24 billion (capital), ₦453.86 million (overheads), and ₦1.81 billion (personnel)—enough only for basic operations, not growth.
He detailed broader challenges: self-funding agencies like the Nigerian Ports Authority,(NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and Nigerian Shippers’ Council face liquidity crises from excessive Accountant-General deductions, fueling port congestion, high costs, delays, and inflation. Inland waterways need more funds to cut accidents and shift freight from roads (now 80% of movement), easing infrastructure strain.
Fisheries lag too, with 1.4 million metric tonnes produced against 3.6 million demanded, driving $1bn+ imports and 30% post-harvest losses.Recalling 2025’s dismal releases—1.7% of ₦3.53 billion capital budget
Oyetola urged fixes via ongoing talks with the Budget Ministry.
Senate Committee on Marine Transport , Chairman Wasiu Eshilokun pledged thorough review for this key economic sector.