The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) plans to generate more than $5 billion in revenue from non-oil exports.
The Chief Executive Officer of NEPC, Ezra Yakusak, emphasized the council’s commitment to this ambitious target, prompting intensified training and awareness campaigns for prospective exporters to ensure compliance with best practices and requirements.
During an enlightening workshop held in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, NEPC conveyed the importance of mandatory and non-mandatory certification for SMEs and aspiring exporters.
Yakusak, represented by Afolabi Bello, an Assistant Director, highlighted NEPC’s substantial contributions to the nation’s economy in terms of revenue, citing the council’s multifaceted strategies to bolster the non-oil export sector.
Yakusak said, “We are enlightening and educating SMEs and intending exporters on how to access the export market. All these are now reflected in the non-oil export figure. In 2023, we should earn over $5 billion as non-oil export revenue.”
NEPC Ekiti State Coordinator, Mrs. Iyabode Abe, underscored the workshop’s significance in empowering local exporters. Abe emphasized that the event equips participants with knowledge of mandatory and non-mandatory certifications, ultimately enhancing their competitive edge in the global market.
The commitment of NEPC under Yakusak’s leadership to drive non-oil export development received further endorsement from Mr. Ayodele Adeyanju, the Permanent Secretary of Ekiti State Ministry of Trade and Industries.
Adeyanju commended NEPC’s efforts in promoting non-oil exports within the state and encouraged SMEs and prospective exporters to adhere to certification requirements, ensuring their products gain a distinct advantage in the global marketplace.