The Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association of Nigeria, Victor Iyama, has called on the Federal Government to step up efforts toward expanding the country’s export base beyond its traditional commodities.
He stressed that Nigeria must take deliberate steps to promote a wider range of agricultural products in the global market as trade relationships with other nations continue to grow. According to him, strengthening partnerships based on shared benefits and practical outcomes will open new opportunities for the country’s exporters.
Industry stakeholders are increasingly pointing to the need for diversification, with greater attention on products such as cashew, pepper, fruits, and vegetables. They argue that rising demand across international markets presents a strong case for Nigeria to scale up production and improve its competitiveness.
Analysts also highlight significant prospects in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, as well as manufacturing segments like textiles and footwear. These sectors, they say, hold the capacity to drive consistent export expansion if properly developed.
Findings from the International Trade Centre Export Potential Map indicate that Nigeria could increase its export earnings by as much as 3.9 billion dollars by tapping into underutilised opportunities in high value goods. The report places the country’s overall export potential at 7.6 billion dollars.
Among the products identified, cocoa beans stand out with the largest gap between current export levels and achievable value, estimated at 749 million dollars. This represents nearly one fifth of the unrealised export potential. Other key commodities include urea and cashew nuts in shell form.
Current performance levels show that cocoa has achieved just over half of its export potential, while urea and cashew nuts remain below optimal levels. Processed cashew, sesame seeds, and soya beans also show varying degrees of underperformance, although soya beans record particularly strong global demand.
Export data covering the period from 2020 to 2024 reveals that Spain, India, and the Netherlands remain Nigeria’s leading trading partners, collectively accounting for more than half of total exports each year.
Despite these opportunities, concerns persist over the country’s weak export competitiveness. The Executive Director of the Institute of Export Operations and Management, Dr Ofon Udofia, criticised what he described as inadequate institutional support for exporters.
He questioned whether existing structures truly encourage export activity, noting the absence of a clear long term strategy. According to him, regulatory agencies appear more focused on revenue collection than on ensuring that Nigerian products meet international standards.
Udofia also raised concerns about multiple charges imposed on exporters, including fees collected under the export supervision scheme. He argued that such costs, alongside inefficiencies in quality control, contribute to frequent rejection of Nigerian goods abroad.
He further pointed to rising operational expenses at local ports, citing a sharp increase in the cost of bulk cargo handling compared to neighbouring countries. This, he said, places Nigerian exporters at a disadvantage in the global market.
Calling for urgent reforms, Udofia emphasised the need for closer collaboration between government institutions and private sector players. He maintained that without a unified approach and a clear understanding of existing challenges, Nigeria would continue to fall short of its export potential.
