The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has called on Nigerian manufacturers to actively seek information on how to enhance the export potential of their products, emphasizing that lack of awareness is a major barrier to international trade.
Hadiza Kashiat, Head of Product and Marketing at NEPC’s Ogun State office, made this appeal during a Strategic Focus Group meeting organized by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) in Abeokuta. Speaking on the challenges manufacturers face, she stressed that many businesses fail to educate themselves on export procedures, limiting their ability to compete globally.
“Many manufacturers do not seek information on what they need to export their products. In most cases, if we provide publications on these requirements, most Nigerians do not read them. It is not enough for us to complain; we must take advantage of the resources available to us,” she stated.
Kashiat also urged Nigerians to change their perception of locally made products, arguing that many Nigerian goods surpass imported alternatives in durability and quality. She pointed out that rejecting homegrown products weakens the economy, while other nations continue to capitalize on Nigeria’s raw materials.
“As Nigerians, we must change our mindset. Many of our made-in-Nigeria products are of excellent quality. In fact, some of them are exported, rebranded, and sold at higher prices in other countries. Nigerian lubricant, for instance, is one of the best in the world. We also have top-quality ginger and palm oil, yet Malaysia still imports palm oil from us. If we continue to reject our own products, how will our economy grow?” she asked.
NASENI team leader, Mr. Babajide Soyya, echoed these sentiments, warning that the low demand for Nigerian-made products is not only stalling economic growth but also increasing unemployment. He emphasized that when Nigerians favor foreign goods, they inadvertently export jobs to other countries.
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To address this issue, NASENI is engaging key stakeholders to develop strategies for promoting and encouraging local products. Soyya revealed that the agency is collaborating with industries, empowering skilled labor, and signing Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with firms to boost local manufacturing and drive technological innovation.
“NASENI is engaging focus groups to gather insights on how we can effectively promote and encourage the use of our products and services. By working with various industries and supporting skilled labor, we aim to drive technological innovation and boost local production,” he said.
The meeting, themed ‘Made in Nigeria for Everyone’, focused on the challenges facing Nigeria’s manufacturing sector and explored solutions to drive growth. This was the fourth edition of the event, following similar sessions in Lagos, Kano, and Kaduna.
Key stakeholders, including manufacturers, representatives from the Nigeria Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Ogun State Chamber of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture (OGCCIMA), Small and Medium Enterprise Development of Nigeria (SMEDAN), and the Faculty of Engineering at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), participated in the discussion, underscoring the collective commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s manufacturing industry.
