The 2nd National Conference on Non-Oil Export, held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja on October 4th and 5th, 2023, was a grand affair with the theme “Building a Sustainable National Economy Through Non-Oil Export.” Hosted meticulously by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) in collaboration with NEXHub, the event saw esteemed guests gather to discuss critical economic matters. Day one was marked by insightful discussions highlighting the urgency of diversifying from crude oil dependency. Mr. Ezra Yakusak, E.D./CEO of the NEPC, emphasized that in alignment with the Federal Government’s renewed agenda, the NEPC reiterates that hope lies in the non-oil sector, a beacon of promise to fortify and revitalize our nation’s economic landscape.
The Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, urged robust collaboration between the public and private sectors. Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, commended NEPC’s initiative and pledged the Ministry’s dedication to revitalizing the nation’s economic foundation. Victor Ayemere, MD of Zeenab Foods Limited, led the discussions on “Harnessing the Benefits of Export Trade Houses”. His insights were nothing short of priceless, illuminating the boundless potential of export-driven strategies and drawing inspiration from the success story of the Japanese Sogo Sosha and its strategic applicability to the non-oil export sector. Panelists reinforced the crucial role of non-oil exports in steering the nation’s economic course.
The event transitioned to an engaging exhibition, offering organizations a platform to showcase their products. Zeenab Foods Limited/NEXHUB were notable exhibitors, generating interest from over 50 potential exporters. The session concluded with a dynamic Q&A segment, with Mr. Suleiman Audu expressing gratitude to NEPC for empowering SMEs and promoting made-in-Nigeria products. The conference was a pivotal moment in charting a sustainable economic future for Nigeria.