Michael Uzoma Agu’s path into international trade began in the energy sector, where finance, business development and cross-border relationships came together in a way that sparked a lasting interest in global commerce.
While working with Shell Nigerian Gas Company and Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, Michael gained experience in international gas sales, finance and business development.
Working within a global industry gave him an early view of how international transactions operate in practice and how commercial, financial and regulatory considerations come together across markets.
My involvement in the energy sector and working with global companies sparked my interest in international trade.
That exposure would become the foundation for a career that continued to develop across finance, import and export operations and international business.
Building international trade experience in the energy sector
Michael’s time with Shell gave him an opportunity to work directly with global clients and partners while developing an understanding of the operational and financial side of international business.
Some of his favourite career experiences came from his work with Shell Nigerian Gas, particularly his involvement in international gas sales and business development.
The role exposed him to the realities of working across borders and showed him how international trade depends on several areas of expertise working together.
One project Michael remembers particularly well was leading the finance team responsible for migrating Shell Nigerian Gas data from the SUN system to SAP.
The project was not solely a trade initiative, but it reflected many of the skills that would continue to matter throughout his career: managing complexity, working across functions and adapting to changing systems and business requirements.
At Shell, I gained valuable insights into the operational and financial aspects of international trade in the energy sector.
Those insights gave him a strong base in the financial processes that underpin global commerce, including managing international accounts and understanding how commercial activity translates into the day-to-day movement of money, products and information.
Applying that experience in Canada
Michael later brought his international experience to Canada through his work with Atlas Graham Furgale Ltd.
There, his responsibilities expanded into international trade operations, including managing international accounts payable and receivable and facilitating import and export activities.
The experience allowed him to apply what he had learned in the energy industry within a different business environment.
He also had the opportunity to contribute to the company’s international reach, giving him further experience with the practical requirements of operating across markets.
“I enjoyed working with Atlas Graham Furgale Ltd in Canada, managing international trade operations and expanding the company’s global reach,” he says.
Moving between industries reinforced an important lesson for Michael: international trade professionals have to remain adaptable.
Markets, regulations, customer expectations and business practices can differ substantially from one country or sector to another. For professionals working across those boundaries, technical expertise is only part of the equation.
One piece of advice I would share is to always stay adaptable and open to learning in international trade. Understanding cultural differences and regulatory requirements is crucial.
That commitment to ongoing learning led him to FITTskills.
Turning experience into a broader trade skill set
For Michael, FITTskills offered an opportunity to build on years of practical international business experience with a more comprehensive understanding of the disciplines that support successful global trade.
“Taking the FITTskills courses was super valuable,” he says. “The courses helped me deepen my understanding of international trade concepts and apply them practically.”
He found the learning particularly relevant in international logistics, marketing and finance, areas that connected closely with responsibilities he had already encountered throughout his career.
His favourite course was International Sales & Marketing.
“It gave me insights into how to navigate different markets and cultures, which has been super helpful in my international trade work.”
That focus on applying knowledge in real-world situations was especially valuable for someone whose career had already crossed industries and international markets. Rather than replacing experience, the FITTskills courses helped Michael put that experience into a broader professional framework.
They also became part of his progression toward the Certified International Trade Professional designation.
Why earning the CITP mattered
Michael chose to pursue the CITP designation because it was both a way to recognize what he had already accomplished and an opportunity to demonstrate his continued commitment to an international career.
I chose to apply for the CITP designation because my background and expertise align with the competency requirements, and I want to contribute further to the field of international trade.
“Earning the CITP designation was an incredible achievement,” Michael says. “This recognition highlights my expertise and accomplishments in international trade.”
That recognition is one of the benefits Michael sees in becoming a CITP.
International trade careers often develop across different functions, organizations and markets. A professional may build expertise through finance, logistics, sales, business development or operations before those skills converge into a broader international trade career.
The CITP designation gives professionals like Michael a way to bring that experience together under a recognized credential.
It can also help communicate that expertise to employers, partners and others within the international trade community.
Looking toward new opportunities
Michael sees the CITP designation not simply as recognition of where his career has taken him, but as a tool for what comes next.
I foresee the CITP designation enhancing my credibility and opening up opportunities in international trade, allowing me to contribute more significantly to the field.
That outlook reflects the same willingness to learn and adapt that has shaped his career so far.
From international gas sales and finance in Nigeria to import and export operations in Canada, Michael has steadily expanded his understanding of what it takes to work successfully across borders. FITTskills gave him an opportunity to deepen that knowledge, while the CITP designation provided professional recognition for the experience and competencies he had developed along the way.
As he looks ahead, Michael sees further opportunities to put that combination of experience, education and professional credibility to work.
LinkedIn: Michael Uzoma Agu, CITP
disqus comments