The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has trained newly registered exporters with practical skills and regulatory knowledge required to compete in international markets.
This was the focus of a one-day mentorship training and export clinic organised by the NEPC South-South Regional Office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during the week.
Speaking at the programme, Ngozi Ibe, Regional Coordinator of the NEPC South-South Regional Office, said the initiative was designed to address a recurring gap within the export ecosystem, where many registered exporters remain inactive due to limited understanding of export processes, compliance requirements, and market dynamics.
According to her, exporting is a structured and regulated business that goes beyond simply shipping goods across borders. She explained that it requires compliance with quality standards, proper documentation, market intelligence, financial discipline, and effective risk management.
Nigeria’s non-oil export sector has recorded steady growth in recent years. Export earnings rose from $2.2 billion in 2020 to $6.1 billion in 2025, while export volumes increased from 4.8 million metric tonnes in 2020 to 7.2 million metric tonnes in 2024. Agricultural commodities accounted for more than 51 percent of total non-oil exports in 2024, followed by semi-manufactured goods.
Ibe noted that sustaining and scaling these gains depends largely on exporters who understand international trade rules, meet global standards, and operate export-ready enterprises. She added that the Federal Government has prioritised non-oil exports as a key driver of economic diversification, foreign exchange earnings, job creation, and inclusive growth.
She said the export clinic was structured as a practical intervention to bridge knowledge gaps, reduce early-stage export failures, and ensure that newly registered exporters transition from registration to active and compliant export operations.
The programme brought together key institutions across Nigeria’s export ecosystem.
Kpaama Raphael, Zonal Manager of the Bank of Agriculture (BoA), outlined financing opportunities available to export-oriented agricultural enterprises. He noted that the bank supports equipment acquisition and value-chain development to strengthen production and processing capacity.
Representing the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Rita Chukwuma emphasised the importance of product safety, registration, and regulatory compliance. She highlighted incentives and subsidised certification processes available to small businesses seeking to access export markets.
From the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Ezechukwu Nkechinyere stressed that compliance with national and international standards remains critical to sustaining Nigeria’s credibility in global markets.
The Head of the South-South Office of the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), Mandu Inana, addressed issues of post-harvest handling, storage, and preservation. She noted that poor storage practices contribute significantly to export losses, especially in agricultural commodities.
Private-sector participation was represented by the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHACCIMA), which encouraged exporters to leverage business associations for advocacy, networking, and access to market opportunities.
Technical sessions at the clinic covered export procedures and documentation, business structuring, compliance requirements, logistics planning, and risk management, delivered by Ibe.
A separate presentation by Ofon Udofia, Executive Secretary of the Institute of Export Operations and Management, focused on export pricing strategies, cost analysis, and maintaining competitiveness while ensuring profitability.
An interactive question-and-answer session allowed participants to seek clarification on regulatory, financing, certification, logistics, and pricing issues.
NEPC said it will continue to support exporters through capacity-building programmes, advisory services, and strategic partnerships aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s non-oil export sector and enhancing the country’s competitiveness in global trade.
