Eromosele Abiodun
The federal government has called on a leading player in the courier and logistics business in Nigeria, SkyNet Worldwide Express Limited to take advantage of the huge opportunity in the sector to end the dominance of multinational courier companies of the Nigerian market.
Post-Master General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Postal Services (NIPOST), Bisi Adegbuyi stated this at the opening of the company’s new head office in Lagos.
Represented by his Senior Special Assistant, Courier Regulatory Department, Dr. Simon Emeje, he called on other indigenous courier companies to emulate SkyNet Worldwide Express and take advantage of the opportunity in the industry.
According to him, “I want to let you all know that the federal government appreciates the effort of Cfl Global Express Limited owners of SkyNet Worldwide Express. As regulators, we are glad to see this company grow. We want Nigerian currier companies to compete with Fedex, DHL and others. The industry is very big, it is an industry that cannot be neglected. Investors should look at what SkyNet Worldwide Express has achieved in a short period and invest in the industry.
“The post is the seventh largest company in the United States of America and its Postmaster General is a cabinet position. That is how it is in Japan. The industry consists of logistics, currier and general post. As regulators we will do what we can to help local currier companies like SkyNet Worldwide Express to grow and end the dominance of multinational courier companies. In the next five years, I am sure this company will achieve this feat.”
Earlier in his speech, the Managing Director of the company, Tayo Ogundare said the vision of the company from inception was to build an international logistics company transacting business around the world with extensive network in Africa.
“We had the vision to become Africa’s largest logistics and Courier Company with extensive network in Nigeria and other cities of the world. Since the world has become a global village and to fully actualise our vision of a global player, we knew we must as a matter of importance be part of a global player. Thus in 2008, the board of directors identified and approached the fifth largest currier and express delivery network in the world, SkyNet Worldwide Express for the Nigerian franchise.
“After a competitive bidding, our company was granted the franchise in October 2012. Since the acquisition of the franchise, we have grown in leaps and bounds. Within the few years, we have won several awards and accolades. Today, we thank God our vision has become a reality, “he said.
The story of the company, he stated, is like a mustard seed which was the smallest of all seeds but has grown to become a giant tree.
He said: “Our company started from a humble beginning. We started in 2002 from a borrowed office, a borrowed chair and table, two telephone lines and two staff member. But today we have transformed into an international business enterprise.”
