By Fredrick Ameh
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Pius Akutah, has called for a unified national platform to coordinate export logistics, warning that port bottlenecks and poor agency coordination are stalling Nigeria’s non-oil export growth.
Akutah spoke at a national export efficiency roundtable in Lagos, where stakeholders moved to tackle delays in port, shipping, and logistics operations threatening trade competitiveness.
Represented by Rotimi Anifowose, he said improved coordination among government agencies and industry players is critical to building an efficient export ecosystem.
The roundtable, themed “Building an Efficient Non-Oil Export Ecosystem,” focused on aligning processes, improving transparency, and developing practical solutions to enhance trade facilitation.
Akutah said the Council remains committed to promoting fairness and efficiency in port operations, noting that reducing delays and improving service delivery would strengthen Nigeria’s export competitiveness.
Officials at the event flagged the National Single Window project as key to automating port processes and cutting cargo clearance time.
Moses Abere of the Council said addressing procedural bottlenecks and improving logistics efficiency are key to sustainable growth in the export sector.
In a presentation, Obiora Madu identified port productivity, shipping connectivity, trade documentation, export financing, and corridor efficiency as critical factors for improving non-oil exports. He proposed a national coordination platform for export logistics.
The event drew representatives from the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, Nigeria Police Force, and Nigerian Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders.
Participants agreed that sustained investment in infrastructure, digital systems, and policy coordination is required to improve export performance and support economic diversification.