The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has urged non-oil exporters to strengthen documentation and conduct pre-shipment inspections to prevent trade disputes and the rejection of Nigerian goods in international markets. NEPC Executive Director, Nonye Ayeni, gave the advice at a sensitisation workshop on export trade dispute resolution in Owerri, Imo State.
She was represented by the council’s Imo Coordinator, Anthony Ajuruchi. Ayeni stressed that proper documentation and compliance with international trade requirements were essential to ensuring seamless exports and protecting the competitiveness of Nigerian products.
She also called for continuous training to equip exporters with the knowledge needed to avoid costly errors and disputes in foreign markets. Speaking at the workshop, the Aba Zonal Director of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), Lilian King-Chibuzor, identified shipment, contractual, quality, payment and logistics disputes as major challenges facing exporters.
She advised exporters to engage independent inspectors, secure adequate insurance coverage and verify all shipping documents before dispatching their goods. King-Chibuzor also urged exporters to register with the Cargo Defence Fund to access support in resolving trade-related disputes.