According to Ezra Yakusak, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), the non-oil industry helped the Nigerian economy grow by more than two billion dollars in the first half of 2022.
According to Mr. Yakusak, the value of the various non-oil items exported over the time period was $2.593 billion, up from $1.597 billion in the first half of 2021, or a 64.23% rise.
When the National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria (NOPPMAN) held a workshop in Sokoto State, Muhammad Siraju Dan-Alkali, the Trade Promotion Adviser for the Kebbi State office, represented the Managing Director.
He says the 2021 figure was also an increase to the first six months of the year 2020 which was $981.442 million.
The impressive non-oil export performance according to him can be attributed to, among others, NEPC’s new focus on strategic non-oil export programmes and initiatives such as grassroots export development.
While describing Nigeria’s economy as one that is oil-dependent for several decades, he said the uncertainties in the crude oil market have caused serious contractions in government revenue from oil with great consequences.
The NEXT also donated 30,000 customized sacks to the leadership of National Onion Producers, Processors, and Marketers of Nigeria (NOPPMAN) in Sokoto State.
Delivering the customized sacks on behalf of the council, the Trade Promotion Adviser, Sokoto Zonal office, Ahmed S. Yahaya, said the gesture was aimed at encouraging the association on how to package their onions for exportation.
He said with the customized sacks, Nigeria onions will be easily identified and distinguished from other countries’ products in the global market.
Mr. Yahaya further said since the opening of the Sokoto office, the interest of onion producers and marketers has always been a priority.
While calling on the National Onion Producers, Processors, and Marketers of Nigeria (NOPPMAN) to work together with NEPC in taking the country to the rightful position in the onion global market.
Yahaya reiterated that Nigerian onions are still the best in the country while calling on marketers to make use of a special package for easy identification of their products in the global market.