The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Pius Akutah, has stressed the need for enhanced collaboration and institutional synergy among stakeholders to accelerate Nigeria’s non-oil export growth.
Speaking at a one-day National Export Efficiency Stakeholders’ Roundtable in Lagos, themed “Building an Efficient Non-Oil Export Ecosystem: Addressing Port, Shipping and Logistics Challenges for Sustainable Growth,” Akutah—represented by the Director, Strategic Planning and Research, Mr. Rotimi Anifowose—said stronger partnerships are critical to unlocking the sector’s full potential.
He explained that the roundtable was convened to encourage constructive engagement, harmonise processes, and develop practical solutions aimed at eliminating persistent bottlenecks across the export value chain.
Akutah reaffirmed the Council’s commitment, in its role as the nation’s port economic regulator, to promoting transparency, fairness, and operational efficiency within port and shipping activities.
Also speaking, the Director of Special Duties Department, Mr. Moses Abere, represented by the Deputy Director, Synergy and Collaboration, Mrs. Austina Ogbonnaya, underscored the need to reduce constraints affecting exporters, improve competitiveness, and enhance efficiency across the maritime sector.
She highlighted the importance of the National Single Window project, which is designed to automate port processes, reduce delays, improve transparency, and facilitate seamless trade operations.
In his presentation, the Founder and CEO of Multi-mix Academy, Obiora Madu, identified five critical pillars for improving non-oil export efficiency: corridor efficiency, port productivity, shipping connectivity, trade documentation, and access to export finance. He also advocated the creation of a National Export Logistics Coordination Platform to streamline operations.
The roundtable featured a panel session involving key stakeholders, including the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Nigeria Police Force, and National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders.
Participants commended the Nigerian Shippers’ Council for organising the roundtable and reaffirmed their support for its continued leadership in policy advocacy, stakeholder coordination, and trade facilitation.
The meeting concluded that building an efficient non-oil export ecosystem in Nigeria is achievable through collective accountability, sustained investment in infrastructure, and a strong commitment to digital transformation and procedural transparency.
