Efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s non-oil export sector received renewed momentum in the State capital of Lokoja, as stakeholders from government institutions, business associations, and the private sector converged for a capacity building workshop organized by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Kogi branch.
The workshop which brought together exporters, entrepreneurs, and key sector players to deepen knowledge on export procedures, documentation, financing opportunities, and strategies required to position Kogi State as a competitive hub in Nigeria’s expanding non-oil export market.
Declaring the workshop open, the Kogi State Coordinator of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mr Adam Akinlabi Abayomi, emphasized that the programme was designed to equip prospective and existing exporters with the knowledge required to successfully access international markets, noting that while Nigeria possesses vast exportable products, many entrepreneurs are unable to take advantage of global opportunities due to limited knowledge of export processes, documentation requirements, and available institutional support.
According to him, the Council remains committed to building the capacity of businesses across the state to become globally competitive and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s non-oil export earnings.
Delivering the keynote address, the Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Hon. Muhammed Muktar Shuaibu, underscored the growing importance of non-oil exports in driving economic diversification and sustainable development, reiterating that the Ododo-led administration has continued to demonstrate strong commitment to policies and initiatives that support enterprise development, industrial expansion, and the promotion of export-oriented businesses in Kogi State.
The Commissioner who was ably represented by the Director of Administration, Mr Ejeh Michael, encouraged entrepreneurs and business owners to take advantage of the knowledge provided at the workshop to position their businesses for international trade and increased profitability.
Goodwill messages were also delivered by representatives of key partner institutions who commended the initiative and reaffirmed their readiness to collaborate in strengthening the export ecosystem in the state.
Representatives of the Technical Incubation Centre (TIC) highlighted the importance of innovation, product development, and technology incubation in enhancing the quality and competitiveness of exportable products. The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) also emphasized the need for sustained support for small and medium scale enterprises, noting that SMEs remain the backbone of Nigeria’s export potential if properly guided and empowered.
Also speaking, representative of the Kogi Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KOCCIMA) stressed the importance of strategic partnerships between government institutions and the private sector to unlock the state’s vast export potential, stating that Kogi State is richly endowed with agricultural produce, solid minerals, and other resources that can compete favorably in the global market if properly harnessed and processed for export.
A major highlight of the workshop was the technical session delivered by the Bank of Industry, which provided participants with detailed insight into loan procedures and financing options available to businesses seeking to expand production for export markets.
The presentation guided participants on the requirements for accessing funding, the importance of bankable business proposals, and how entrepreneurs can leverage available financial support to scale their operations.
This was followed by a comprehensive presentation by Mrs Mtemave Ruth Ngufan of Nigerian Export Promotion Council on export procedures and documentation.
Participants were taken through the practical steps involved in preparing goods for export, meeting regulatory and certification standards, processing export documentation, and navigating the institutional framework that governs Nigeria’s export trade.
The session generated strong engagement from participants who actively sought clarification on issues relating to export licensing, product certification, packaging standards, international market access, and available support programmes for exporters, as the interactive dialogue further enriched the workshop and provided practical solutions to challenges commonly faced by emerging exporters.
The workshop concluded with a renewed commitment by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council and its partners to intensify support for value addition, promote export readiness among entrepreneurs, and strengthen institutional collaboration aimed at positioning Kogi State as a competitive hub in Nigeria’s non-oil export drive in line with the broader economic diversification agenda of the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
