Ezra Yakusak, the National Executive Director of the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has revealed that between 2019 to 2021, Nigeria exported non-oil products worth $3.455billion.
Ezra revealed this at the Non-oil Export for Survival Agenda of NEPC held in Imo capital city, Owerri.
The Director who spoke through the Owerri, Head of Trade Promotion of NEPC, Anthony Ajuruchi, revealed that it was entirely believable because non-oil exports are gradually becoming Nigeria’s expected option for economic diversification.
Nigeria’s key economic driver is the country’s exportation of oil. However, in the past few years, the country’s oil exportation has reduced to the point where necessity has been placed on the exploration of other ways to grow the country’s economy. And because of the low oil revenue, in 2016, Nigeria had its first full year of recession in 25 years, and also, the impact of low foreign earnings also shrunk non-oil sectors.
Speaking at the NEPC meeting, the director also highlighted that some of the non-oil products exported from Imo between 2016 to 2021 are worth $2.3 million. He disclosed that some of the non-oil products include Egusi, Ogiri, Uziza, bitter cola, palm canal shells, cashew nuts, Ogbono, crayfish, breadfruits among others.
Speaking at the meeting, the director said: “From 2019-2021, non-oil exports statistics as presented by the pre-shipment inspection agents show that Nigeria exported non-oil products worth USD3.455billion in 2021. This figure is higher than that recorded in 2020 (USD2.210billion) representing an increase of 55.88%. Which also gave a positive growth of 35.83%, which also gave a positive growth of 35.83% when compared with the value exported in 2019. In like manner, this address will not be complete if I do not commend Imo exporters who in their little way contributed to the national figure above. From 2016 to 2021, some exporters from Imo state exported our ethnic foods and other manufactured products worth over two million USD 2.3m to countries like Poland, USA, Dubai, Australia, Italy etc.”
The reliance on the export of oil has served its time in Nigeria as calls for the creation of other resources to drive the economy has grown over the years. By focusing on providing better infrastructure for agriculture, energy, and transport, Nigeria’s revenue can grow beyond the figure by NEPC. Also, with a growing population that is technology-driven, investment in education and technology is another particularly significant way to drive the economy and eventually become one of Nigeria’s major global export to the world that is already advancing technologically.
