The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting exporters and strengthening non-oil exports through closer collaboration with stakeholders.

The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NEPC, Nonye Ayeni, disclosed this in a statement by Sadiq Aliu, head of corporate communications, on Thursday in Abuja.

Ms Ayeni said the council held a meeting at its South-West Regional Office, which attracted exporters, manufacturers, processors, merchants, government agencies, and organised private-sector stakeholders.

She said the meeting was organised to hear directly from exporters, understand their challenges, identify opportunities, and strengthen partnerships to improve the performance of non-oil exports.

She said Nigeria recorded its highest non-oil export earnings in 2025, with exports valued at $6.1 billion, up from $ 5.46 billion in 2024.

According to her, Nigerian exporters shipped more than 8.02 million metric tonnes of products to 120 countries, covering 281 different non-oil products.

Ms Ayeni commended exporters for their resilience and commitment, noting that their efforts had continued to strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global export market.

She said the council had introduced programmes to support exporters through training, mentorship, product certification, market access and business development services.

Speaking on the Export Expansion Grant (EEG), she said significant progress had been made on outstanding claims for 2021 and 2022.

She expressed confidence that the federal government would announce the payment of the outstanding EEG claims in the coming weeks.

Ms Ayeni also announced that Nigeria would host the fifth Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) from November 5 to November 11, 2027, in Lagos state.

“The trade fair will attract over 100,000 visitors, about 2,500 exhibitors, and participants from more than 100 countries.

“It is expected to facilitate deals in trade and investment worth $50 million and provide a strategic platform for expanding market access under the African Continental Free Trade (AfCFT),” she said.

Ms Ayeni urged stakeholders to sustain collaboration with the council to expand non-oil exports, create jobs and increase foreign exchange earnings.

She said stronger collaboration would also support Nigeria’s economic growth and improve the country’s export competitiveness.

(NAN)