Collaboration, institutional synergy Key to driving Nigeria’s non-oil export growth – Akutah

The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Pius Akutah, MON, has emphasized the need for stronger collaboration and institutional synergy to drive Nigeria’s non-oil export growth.

 

Dr. Akutah emphasized the Council’s commitment, as the nation’s Port Economic Regulator, to promoting transparency, fairness, and efficiency in port and shipping operations.

 

Akutah stated this while speaking at a recent one-day National Export Efficiency Stakeholders’ Roundtable in Lagos. The theme of the forum was “Building an Efficient Non-Oil Export Ecosystem: Addressing Port, Shipping and Logistics Challenges for Sustainable Growth.”

 

Represented by the Director, Strategic Planning and Research, Mr. Rotimi Anifowose, Akutah called for deeper partnerships among stakeholders, noting that the forum was designed to foster constructive engagement, align processes, and develop practical solutions to eliminate bottlenecks across the export value chain.

 

On the need for sustainable economic growth, the Director, Special Duties Department, Mr. Moses Abere, represented by the Deputy Director, Synergy and Collaboration, Mrs. Austina Ogbonnaya emphasized the importance of reducing bottlenecks that hinder exporters, improving competitiveness, and enhancing efficiency across the maritime value chain.

 

Central to these efforts is the implementation of the National Single Window project, aimed at automating port processes, reducing delays, improving transparency, and promoting seamless trade operations.

 

In his presentation, the Founder and CEO of Multi-mix Academy, Dr. Obiora Madu, identified five critical pillars for non-oil export efficiency: corridor efficiency, port productivity, shipping connectivity, trade documentation, and access to export finance. He also advocated the establishment of a National Export Logistics Coordination Platform.

 

The roundtable featured a panel session with representatives from key agencies, including the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, NACCIMA, the Nigeria Police Force, and NAGAFF.

 

Participants commended the Nigerian Shippers’ Council for organizing the Roundtable and reaffirmed support for its continued leadership in policy advocacy, stakeholder coordination, and trade facilitation.

 

The meeting concluded that the development of an efficient non‑oil export ecosystem is achievable through collective accountability, sustained investment in infrastructure, and unwavering commitment to digital transformation and procedural transparency.