Shippers’ Council, ACCI forge strategic alliance to boost non-oil trade, empower exporters

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) have initiated a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s non-oil trade, improving export capacity, and supporting businesses in navigating international markets.

The partnership was unveiled during a meeting between the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Pius Akutah, MON, and the Director-General of ACCI, Mr. Agabaidu Chukwemeka Jideani, at the NSC Liaison Office in Abuja.

Welcoming the ACCI delegation, Akutah said the engagement was driven by a shared vision of transforming Nigeria’s port and trade ecosystem into a stronger engine for non-oil economic growth.

“This is not just a ceremonial visit. It is a practical step towards growing the non-oil export and import sector through joint advocacy, capacity building, information sharing, export documentation, and alternative dispute resolution,” he said.

Akutah stressed the need for a stronger working relationship between both institutions to dismantle unfair shipping practices, remove trade bottlenecks, and equip exporters with the knowledge needed to compete globally.

He disclosed plans to leverage the Council’s Cargo Defence Fund to train exporters on documentation, shipping contracts, packaging standards, and international best practices.

“Many Nigerian exporters suffer losses due to poor packaging, weak documentation, and limited knowledge of global trade requirements. We must address these gaps,” he noted.

The NSC boss also offered the Council’s complaint handling platform as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism to help businesses avoid costly and prolonged legal battles.

Looking ahead, Akutah proposed the creation of an Abuja Shippers Association Booth at the 2026 Abuja International Trade Fair to provide local exporters and shippers greater market visibility.

“ACCI will always have a seat at the table whenever policies affecting shippers are being discussed, and complaints from its members will be treated with urgency,” he assured.

In his response, ACCI Director-General, Jideani, welcomed the partnership and highlighted the Chamber’s Business Skills and Technology (BEST) Centre, which has trained over 500 exporters through international collaborations.

He observed that many Nigerian goods lose value abroad due to poor packaging and documentation, leading to rebranding by foreign businesses.

“There are huge opportunities for collaboration, especially in training exporters to meet international standards and improve competitiveness,” he said.

Jideani also highlighted ACCI’s Dispute Resolution Centre and Policy Advocacy Centre, which support mediation, arbitration, and policy engagement between government and the private sector.

He called for clearer communication of NSC’s mandate, noting that many businesses still confuse the Council’s role with that of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

Other proposals discussed included joint trade missions, policy dialogues across northern Nigeria, and innovative advocacy campaigns to promote maritime awareness.

The meeting ended with Akutah directing the Head of the Abuja Liaison Office, Dr. Pauline Osasona, to establish a joint implementation team to commence training programmes and coordinate preparations for the 2026 Abuja International Trade Fair.