Some careers are carefully planned. Others unfold through unexpected turns, revealing exactly where someone is meant to be. For Godwin Aigbokhan, CITP, international trade began with a happenstance job opportunity with a friend.
“I entered the field of international trade by accident. I used to work in the development sector, specializing in private sector development. One day, a vacancy arose in an organization I was affiliated with, and a friend of mine resigned to join the development organization I was working for at the time. So, essentially, we switched roles,” he states.
That chance transition opened the door to what would become a deeply impactful trade career that now sees him facilitating bilateral trade between Canadian and Nigerian companies with the Trade Commissioner Service, a position he’s been in for over 3 years.
Showcasing adaptability in business during COVID-19
One of Godwin’s most memorable career moments occurred during a period of global crisis: COVID-19. With borders closed and companies unsure of their next move, Godwin helped design a fully virtual model for engagement.
“During the pandemic, I organized both a virtual delegation trip and a virtual trade show. It was a fascinating experience as there was no template to guide my team.”
Over 1,000 participants from five countries joined the online trade show, an extraordinary number for a first-time digital event. Even more remarkable, several companies that learned about Nigeria for the first time through the show have since executed several projects in the country.
In a moment defined by uncertainty, Godwin created a new pathway for partnership and proved his sharp skill for innovation and adaptability within the world of trade.
Finding hidden opportunities for good
Throughout his career, Godwin has discovered a unique strength: the ability to identify connections and commercial possibilities that aren’t obvious at first glance.
“I believe I have a talent for identifying obscure opportunities across different industries.”
For him, the most rewarding moments come when companies validate those introductions—turning “hidden” opportunities into tangible impact.
An example of this talent at work came with the development of a digital circular-economy marketplace. The project “allowed for the categorization and trading of household waste on an individual basis and diverted waste from landfills,” he states. His work relied on innovative trade models and showed how these can directly support sustainability and community development.
Advice for trade professionals: Be adaptable—it will serve you well
International trade is rarely linear and Godwin learned early that rigid plans do not survive long in fast-moving environments.
“
If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to be adaptable, because the best-laid plans mean nothing if you can’t implement them. I learned this during the pandemic.”
Able to pivot and thrive during these circumstances himself, his advice proves useful in the current trade ecosystem.
Affirming his experience through FITTskills training
Godwin’s experience with the FITTskills program helped clarify and validate all the hands-on work he’s undertaken throughout his career.
“Taking the
His favourite course—International Market Entry Strategies—felt especially familiar. “I have actually, in one way or another, implemented all of the strategies in my career,” he says, adding that he loved being able to connect each strategy to a specific activity and company in his work history.
The power of competence with a CITP
Godwin was inspired to get his Certified International Trade Professional (CITP®|FIBP®) designation because he wanted to project a high level of trade aptitude. “As an international trade professional, I want to project a certain level of competence,” he says, adding that “Earning the CITP designation would enhance my profile and help me to achieve this.”
Not an easy feat to achieve, he feels “very proud” to have gained the designation and he sees it opening new doors for him within his organization. He also hopes that with it, he can play a role in helping his home country flourish with trade.
“Currently, Africa represents only 3% of global trade, and Nigeria, my home country, has one of the lowest trade-to-GDP figures in the world at just 2%. I believe that by creating platforms for businesses to connect and discover hidden trade opportunities, it will be possible to create jobs, increase incomes, and improve living standards across the continent.”
A future focused on global growth
With a blend of development experience, trade insight, and a gift for uncovering unseen opportunities, Godwin is charting a path that bridges public policy, private enterprise, and international collaboration.
His work proves that trade is far more than transactions. It is a mechanism for reshaping economies, elevating communities, and widening doors for countries poised for growth.
LinkedIn: Godwin Aigbokhan, CITP
disqus comments