The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) Vice President, Segun Musa, has criticized Nigeria’s African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) coordination body for lacking seriousness and effectiveness in its approach.
Musa described the body’s methods as overly theoretical, preferring “talk shows” over practical solutions .
Musa expressed frustration with the committee’s lack of progress, citing their absence from critical meetings and ineffective virtual meetings. “They are not doing anything… We need dialogue, practical strategies, and action plans,” he said.
The NAGAFF Vice President emphasized the importance of practical engagement, urging the AfCFTA coordination body to involve stakeholders in meaningful discussions.
He also highlighted the potential benefits of AfCFTA, arguing that Nigeria’s failure to prepare adequately is a missed opportunity .
Musa called on the government to address key challenges such as local production capacity, standardization, and export readiness. “AfCFTA is a huge opportunity, but without a solid plan and active stakeholder involvement, Nigeria will continue to lag behind,” he concluded.
The African Continental Free Trade Area aims to foster intra-African trade and economic integration, requiring strong national coordination for effective implementation.
However, Musa’s comments suggest that Nigeria’s coordination framework may be inadequate, raising concerns about the country’s ability to compete in the continental market.
