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Tag: Jumoke Oduwole

  • Fed Govt set for AfCFTA’s preferential terms, says Oduwole

    Fed Govt set for AfCFTA’s preferential terms, says Oduwole

    Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole has disclosed that the government is ready to trade within Africa under the preferential terms of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement, confirming that the country had fulfilled key obligations under the agreement and protocols on trade in goods and services, as well as digital trade by gazetting the relevant legal instruments.

    This was disclosed during the Nigeria AfCFTA Achievements Report 2025, stating that the ministry had taken concrete steps to position and equip Nigerian businesses to succeed in the AfCFTA market, adding that Nigerian businesses and products could benefit from better and preferential treatment in the AfCFTA market.

    According to her, “The FMITI has undertaken strategic initiatives to position and equip Nigerian businesses to succeed in the market. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement is the apotheosis of Africa’s journey of trade-led economic integration. Through the progressive elimination of tariffs, removal of other barriers, and regulatory cooperation among AfCFTA State Parties.

    “The continental trade agreement establishes an economic arrangement that ensures African producers, investors, traders and workers can profitably convert opportunity and effort to prosperity, as the

    key argument for the AfCFTA is simply that Africa retains more value when she trades with herself, so by implication, Africa’s economic development ambitions are inseparable from the ambition of the AfCFTA market.

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    “It said, Nigeria is Africa’s champion of trade-led regional integration, the birthplace of a significant number of the anchor continental instruments that underpin the AfCFTA Agreement. These includes the Lagos Plan of Action (1980) and the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community (1991), also known as the Abuja Treaty. It was also in Nigeria that the negotiations for the AfCFTA Agreement were concluded in 2017”.

    Oduwole noted that, Nigeria signed the AfCFTA Agreement in 2019 and ratified it in 2020. In 2025, the government of Nigeria through the  Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) reinvigorated implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement. The FMITI led Nigeria to many important firsts, Nigeria is the first AfCFTA State Party to undertake a review of AfCFTA implementation at the 5th year mark, to ratify the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade, and to establish a dedicated AfCFTA air cargo exports corridor.

    The report also presented renewed efforts and successes on AfCFTA implementation in 2025 that contributed to a thriving and prosperous one African market, stating that by July 2025, Nigeria became the first AfCFTA State Party to conclude and publish a review of AfCFTA implementation at the 5th year mark, as mandated by Article 28 of the AfCFTA Agreement, this review is an honest and objective self-reflection to indicate frictions, challenges, and successes that has informed key actions by FMITI and the AfCFTA CCC.

  • Nigeria ready to trade under AfCFTA preferential terms — Oduwole

    Nigeria ready to trade under AfCFTA preferential terms — Oduwole

    Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, has disclosed that Nigeria is fully prepared to trade within Africa under the preferential terms of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, having fulfilled key obligations under the pact.

    Oduwole said the country had complied with the AfCFTA requirements on trade in goods and services, as well as digital trade, by gazetting the relevant legal instruments.

    She disclosed this during the presentation of the Nigeria AfCFTA Achievements Report 2025, noting that the ministry had taken deliberate steps to position and equip Nigerian businesses to compete effectively and benefit from preferential treatment within the AfCFTA market.

    According to her, the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment has implemented strategic initiatives to enable Nigerian businesses to succeed in the continental market, describing the AfCFTA as the culmination of Africa’s journey towards trade-led economic integration.

    She said the agreement, through the progressive elimination of tariffs, removal of non-tariff barriers, and enhanced regulatory cooperation among state parties, provides a framework that allows African producers, investors, traders, and workers to convert opportunities into prosperity.

    Oduwole noted that the central argument of the AfCFTA is that Africa retains greater value when it trades with itself, adding that the continent’s economic development ambitions are inseparable from the success of the AfCFTA market.

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    She described Nigeria as Africa’s champion of trade-led regional integration and the birthplace of several foundational continental instruments underpinning the AfCFTA, including the Lagos Plan of Action of 1980 and the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community of 1991, also known as the Abuja Treaty.

    She added that negotiations for the AfCFTA Agreement were concluded in Nigeria in 2017.

    Oduwole recalled that Nigeria signed the AfCFTA Agreement in 2019 and ratified it in 2020, adding that in 2025, the Federal Government, through the ministry, reinvigorated implementation of the agreement.

    She said Nigeria recorded several milestones, including becoming the first AfCFTA State Party to conduct a five-year review of AfCFTA implementation, ratifying the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade, and establishing a dedicated AfCFTA air cargo exports corridor.

    The report highlighted renewed implementation efforts and successes in 2025 that contributed to the advancement of a single African market. It noted that by July 2025, Nigeria became the first AfCFTA State Party to conclude and publish a five-year implementation review, as required under Article 28 of the AfCFTA Agreement.

    According to the report, the review provided an objective self-assessment of challenges, frictions, and achievements, which have informed key policy actions by the ministry and the AfCFTA Coordination Committee.

  • FG accelerates, strengthens AfCFTA implementation in 2025

    FG accelerates, strengthens AfCFTA implementation in 2025

    The Federal Government says it has achieved notable progress in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Areas (AfCFTA) in 2025, boosting trade integration and private sector participation across Africa.

     Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, disclosed this in a statement on Nigeria’s AfCFTA implementation progress.

     Oduwole said that the AfCFTA remained central to Africa’s ambition to create a unified continental market through tariff liberalisation, reduced non-tariff barriers and enhanced regulatory cooperation.

     According to her, Nigeria has historically championed Africa’s integration efforts, hosting landmark initiatives such as the Lagos Plan of Action and the Abuja Treaty.

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     “In 2025, the ministry reinvigorated Nigeria’s AfCFTA agenda through coordinated institutional, policy and market-driven actions,” she said.

     The minister said that Nigeria hosted the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat and Nigerian digital operators to strengthen collaboration between continental institutions and the private sector.

     She said  that President Bola Tinubu was appointed Co-Champion of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade by African Union leaders.

  • NASENI’s initiatives, catalyst for local content, says Oduwole

    NASENI’s initiatives, catalyst for local content, says Oduwole

    The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, has described the initiative of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) as a catalyst for domestic content development and strengthening the country’s industrial base.

    Oduwole spoke after inspecting NASENI facilities, including the agency’s Innovation Hub, technology site at the Abuja Technology Village, the Troment facility and another facility at Abuja Technology Park, Idu Industrial Area respectively.

    The visit was part of a broader effort by the ministry to assess local industrial capacity and see high-impact projects that are accelerating the Federal Government’s Nigeria First Policy, an agenda focused on boosting domestic production, encouraging local consumption, and creating jobs through industrialisation.

    At each stop, she commended the foresight and commitment of Mr. Khalil Halilu in promoting made-in-Nigeria products. She was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi; the Managing Director, Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority, Dr. Olufemi  Ogunyemi as well as directors of the Ministry and Directors of NASENI.

    Speaking during a chat with the media after the tour at the Agency’s headquarters, the Minister said the EVC of NASENI had earlier visited her ministry and briefed her on the activities of the Agency, and invited her to come and see. 

    While commending the NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Halilu, for his visionary leadership, Oduwole urged him to sustain the agency’s momentum in knowledge sharing, inspiring the younger generation, and advancing its commercialisation drive.

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    “I have come and I have seen many things. What I am seeing today is not in terms of intents, not in terms of MoUs, not in terms of agreement or prospective investors but I have seen actual 100 per cent made-in-Nigeria products.

    “I have seen happy investors. I have seen investors who were pushed to work quickly. I have seen investors who are setting the pace in the country, in the region and on the global patterns, loading the way, “she added.

    During her tour, the minister was shown round the NASENI product showroom at Abuja Technology Park, NASENI Troment factory that will be producing world-class drugs including HIV vaccines, NASENI Innovation Hub and several products delivered by the Agency.

     She took a ride alongside the EVC/CEO in NASENI’s anti-ballistic missile amoured vehicle.

    Earlier in his remarks, Halilu, who disclosed that NASENI currently has over 40 market-ready products capable of competing favourably in the global market, with more innovations underway.

    He also appealed to the media to embrace developmental journalism and called for stronger collaboration with the Ministry to further boost productivity.

  • Electric vehicles key to Nigeria’s industrial future, says minister

    Electric vehicles key to Nigeria’s industrial future, says minister

    Industry, Trade and Investment Minister Dr. Jumoke Oduwole has emphasised the transformative potential of Electric Vehicles (EVs) for Nigeria’s transport and logistics sectors.

    She noted that adopting EVs could drive innovation, efficiency, and growth in the sector.

    Mrs. Oduwole dropped the hint yesterday when she visited SAGLEV, an EV assembly firm in Imota, Ikorodu, Lagos State.

    She said current government policies on industry, trade, and investment are prioritising Nigerian investors, ensuring they thrive within a supportive environment.

    “The Nigeria First policy by President Bola Tinubu supports investors like those we’ve encountered today,” she noted.

    She recalled last week’s Domestic Investor Summit, which focused on medium to large-scale enterprises.

    “This progress stems from years of planning, training, partnerships and collaboration,” she added.

    The minister expressed joy at the reforms supporting SMEs to manufacture, produce and compete globally.

    Highlighting statistics, she noted that EVs use 80 per cent less energy, aiding productivity and economic growth through projects like the coastal road.

    She affirmed that such initiatives could significantly advance Nigeria’s development trajectory.

    The minister pledged to address bottlenecks in customs import processes, enhancing trade efficiency for economic progress.

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    “We are key in both imports and exports, especially across Africa. Trade facilitation remains essential,” she said.

    She added that Customs reforms like automation had been confirmed by investors as impactful.

    “Challenges remain, but there’s greater compliance with due processes,” Mrs. Oduwole stated.

    She also mentioned the launch of President Tinubu’s National Single Window Project (NSWP).

    Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, who pledged state support for EV investments, stated that such initiatives would generate employment for the growing youth population.

    “We’ll continue to support this venture under Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s leadership,” she said.

    The Director-General, National Automotive Design and Development Council,  Mr Joseph Osanipin, said new legislation would regulate the EV industry.

    He revealed the council’s creation of a National Occupational Standard policy for EV maintenance and servicing.

    “This standard would form a training curriculum for technicians, polytechnics, technical colleges, and universities across Nigeria,” Osanipin said.

    SAGLEV Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Gbenga Faleye, appealed to all levels of government for patronage and smoother raw material importation.

    Faleye said EV production would create jobs, boost transport, and reduce maintenance due to having fewer components than imported vehicles.

    He revealed that SAGLEV has an annual capacity to produce 2,500 EVs.

    Faleye urged manufacturers to focus on Nigeria’s opportunities rather than challenges.

    “Decades-old challenges won’t vanish instantly; patience and opportunity-seeking are key,” he advised.

    He added that only local residents are employed at SAGLEV as part of their corporate social responsibility.

    Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Agoro, appreciated the minister’s visit, saying it confirmed Imota’s emergence as an industrial hub in Lagos State.

  • How Nigeria will cushion Trump’s tariffs, by Minister

    How Nigeria will cushion Trump’s tariffs, by Minister

    Nigeria’s Trade, Industry and Investment Minister Jumoke Oduwole, yesterday highlighted how the Federal Government plans to cushion the effects of the trade policies being introduced by United States (U.S) President Donald Trump.

    Oduwole, who assured that Nigeria, has the wherewithal to respond to the new tariffs listed while advancing a fresh export drive targeting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and women-led MSME of some of the strategies.

    She spoke on National television yesterday after different opinions from experts on how to survive the US tariff introduced by the US president.

    Oduwole acknowledged that while the United States remains a vital trading partner particularly through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) some Nigerian industries, including fertilizers, could face significant disruption due to shifting global trade dynamics.

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    “We have to also think about our second-largest fertilizers URA lead. Those are businesses that have been growing in market share. This gives them uncertainty, this gives them disruption to their operations, so we are working with those types of businesses,” she said.

    Oduwole noted that AGOA has been largely beneficial, especially for Nigeria’s oil exports, but raised concerns that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which are not covered under the agreement, may be more vulnerable.

    With MSMEs contributing nearly 50per cent of the nation’s GDP, the Federal Government is intensifying efforts to diversify their export destinations targeting over 250 countries globally.

    A key pillar of the government’s export push, she said, is the AfCFTA, which provides a significant opportunity to grow intra-African trade, especially for women-led and youth-led businesses.

    “We have looked at that demographic and we identified the AfCFTA because it speaks to women-led businesses, youth-led businesses, it speaks to formalising the informal sector. It speaks to MSMEs and how they can attract foreign exchange by exporting across the continent,” the minister explained.

    Addressing broader concerns around global trade instability, Oduwole emphasized that Africa’s relatively small share in global trade—between 3% and 5% means it is somewhat insulated from the full brunt of international trade wars.

    “Africa is kind of insulated from global trade because we are less than five per cent about three per cent of global trade. So, the players that really dominate.  We don’t want retaliation and then we end up being collateral damage or facing unintended consequences,” she said.

    Despite the looming uncertainties, Oduwole reiterated the Tinubu administration’s commitment to proactive economic planning. The government’s strategy includes promoting digital trade, strengthening free zones, implementing tax reforms to support MSMEs, and intensifying diplomatic engagement with major global economies.

    She highlighted recent high-level meetings with trade representatives from the United States, United Kingdom, China, Brazil, Japan, and the UAE as part of efforts to deepen Nigeria’s international trade ties.

    “It’s time to really put your trade policy, your investment policy, and your investment attraction strategy to play. It puts you in a position where you can respond with confidence to situations like this,” Oduwole said.

  • Fed Govt set to harvest $50.8b investment promises, says Trade minister

    Fed Govt set to harvest $50.8b investment promises, says Trade minister

    • Moves on to boost manufacturing

    The Federal Government is working to realise the $50.8 billion investment commitments by foreign partners, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole, said yesterday.

    The commitments were made during trips made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Dr. Oduwole said the ministry was tracking the investment announcements to ensure they come to fruition.

    She spoke during the 2025 ministerial press briefing organised by the Ministers of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris in Abuja.

    She said: “I will just mention the tracking of Mr. President’s investment announcements.

    “Someone had put out a statistic that the Nigerian economy needed $50 billion to be steady in terms of foreign exchange.

    “We did the numbers and as of November, Mr. President’s international trips had generated $50.8 billion in commitments.

    “The ministry tracks those announcements to ensure they come to fruition.”

    She said Nigeria was deepening trade relations with five key countries and repositioning itself as the African Continent Free Trade Area ACFTA trade champion.

    The minister said the government was prioritising outsourcing of services because, according to her, youths can earn dollars without jetting out. 

    On trade facilitation, she said the national single window project was at the implementation stage.

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    On bilateral and multilateral trade, she said: “The President has ordered that the country should be investment ready even to the legal framework.”

    Oduwoke said the government was putting measures in place to revolutionise the manufacturing sector.

    Already, she said President Tinubu has inaugurated the industrial revolution work group, and will not relent until there is a positive lift in the country’s industrial landscape.

    She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing the cost of transporting goods and services by air, land, and sea to boost production across the country.

    “We are exploring direct cargo freight across Africa for our traders because Nigerians engage in significant trade. This will help bring them together.

    “We aim to lower cargo freight costs. That is one of the key initiatives the ministry is undertaking to fulfil our mandate,” Oduwole said.

    She added: “As we can see, the cost of production is gradually decreasing, and we will continue working to strengthen our economy.”

    Oduwole said the ministry was collaborating with independent power producers (IPPs) nationwide.

    “This partnership with the private sector aims to enhance power supply, which will significantly boost the country’s economic growth,” she said.

    Oduwole confirmed ongoing efforts to improve tariff schedules, ensuring that products can move freely across different payment systems.

    She said the ministry was working with the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Immigration Service to streamline procedures, rules, and value chains for trade facilitation and remove bottlenecks.

    According to her, the ministry is also focused on making Nigeria an attractive investment destination, which requires a conducive environment and favourable tariffs.

    “That is why we continue to engage with the fiscal and monetary arms of government.

    “Our goal is to champion trade and industry, ensuring policies support business growth and economic expansion,” she stated.

    She highlighted collaborations with over 50 federal agencies to improve business processes and transparency.

    “My team and I are dedicated to simplifying processes and enhancing transparency, which is a priority for me.

    “We continuously seek new pathways to prevent unintended consequences in our policies and ensure they support businesses and traders,” Oduwole said.

    She emphasised that Nigerian businesses were already expanding across Africa, moving ahead of government-led initiatives.

    To achieve its objectives, the ministry has partnered with key ministries, strengthening collaboration to drive investment, trade, and industry.

    “We are working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, and the Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy.

    “Through these partnerships, we aim to create an environment where investment, industry, and trade can thrive within Nigeria’s economy,” she said.

  • FG plans to attract $50.8billion investment to Nigeria, says Minister

    FG plans to attract $50.8billion investment to Nigeria, says Minister

    Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment Jumoke Oduwole announced on Tuesday that the federal government is working diligently to attract $50.8 billion in investments to the country.

    The minister attributed this effort to trips made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to other countries.

    Oduwole explained the ministry’s role in tracking investment announcements, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that the investment announcements made by the President come to fruition.

    She added that the ministry will continue to monitor the investment flow from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    The minister disclosed this during the 2025 ministerial press briefing in Abuja.

    She said, “I will just mention the tracking of Mr. President’s investments. Someone asked me once, I think it was France 24, that someone had put out a statistic that the Nigerian economy needs $50 billion to be steady in terms of foreign exchange.

    “I said funny, we did the number and as at November, Mr. President’s international trips had generated $50.8billion in announcement.

    Now where the ministry comes in is tracking those announcements and making sure it comes to fruition.”

    She noted that the ministry is also following up on disclosure from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) as the job of the ministry is to handle those businesses to a more deregulatory and undemocratic bottleneck, to also share information with transparency and efficiency in public service delivery.

    She said, “The government is deepening trade relations with five key countries and repositioning Nigeria as African Continent Free Trade Area ACFTA trade champion, while commencing the review of our trade policy which is the timeline of a major intervention.

    “In November, the AFCTA council of ministers met and immediately Nigeria registered its interest in digital trade championship. We also had ministerial consultation with exporters, which is the priority push of this administration. I want to assure that tangible concrete work has been ongoing”.

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    “Again in November, we had a successful World Trade Organization (WTO) trade review, this happens every seven years. It is an opportunity for Nigeria to partake in. This is an avenue where you hear what the world says about your country and economy. Nigerians had a lot of questions that were answered judiciously during the meeting.

    “We took that information and have been using it to adjust our trade review in Nigeria.

    “Outsourcing of services is an area where the government is prioritizing because Nigerian youths can stay right in the country and earn dollars.  We are talking about privatizing not only customer service but all aspects.

    “Just last week, we were at the United Arab Emirates (UAE). I took fourteen deals to share to the tune of $5billion, different deals. There was a lot of interest from investors in all the deals. This was encouraging as we will continue to attract investments in that regard”.

    On special economic zones, the minister said, “We have been working with the authority especially on the tax bill. This is after engaging with stakeholders like the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), operators of the free zones, enterprises in the free zones, and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to come up with a position on the tax bill.

    She noted that Free Zones are a tool for industrialization and for trade, even in manufacturing, and it has worked in many places across the world.

    “We have all aligned and made our suggestions to the National Assembly, which will help with investments, ensuring the country’s Custom territory is well guarded with no distortion.

    “On trade facilitation, the national single window project has been launched and right now in the implementation stage. President Ahmed Bola Tinubu inaugurated it last year, and a lot of background work is ongoing. Finally, Nigeria is going to have a national single window digital infrastructure, which will eventually increase trade.

    On bilateral and multilateral trade, she noted that “the President has ordered that the country should be investment ready even to the legal framework.”

    She spoke on rejection of exported sesame seed, how Nigerian sesame seed is being questioned knowing that it is one of the leading products, the intervention of the government in the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), how the challenge was excavated and engagement with stakeholders in agriculture, Japanese government to solve the problem for the farmers because it is a key non-oil export

    “Nigerian economy is diversified” she said, “what is not diversified is our foreign exchange earnings, all the things needed in terms of market access is building trust. 

  • Nigeria open for business, says Oduwole

    Nigeria open for business, says Oduwole

    Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole , has assured the international community that the country is changing its business climate.

    Dr Oduwole disclosed this in an interview with the Cable Network News at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting Davos.

    She discussed how Nigeria is slowly, but surely changing its business climate.

    The minister said in the last nine years , she has been part of the team working on business climate reforms .

    She said over 200 verifiable reforms have been either implemented or verified by the World Bank.

    Oduwole said despite these successes, progress is needed within the business environment.

    She said: “We need to start making sure there’s more transparency and efficiency. And we’ve been doing that work for nine years. There’s just no shortcut. We continue to make it a progressively easier place to start and grow a business.

    “There is no shortcut. It is the people, issues, the processes and infrastructure . We need to start making sure there is more transparency and efficiency.”

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    In what to expect in the next four years, Oduwole said:  “I’m telling the world, Nigeria is open for business. We’re digital. Five out of nine unicorns in Africa are Nigerian. Nigerian talent, our youth – incredible. Don’t miss the wave. We are resourceful. We are resilient. We are agile in spite of the deficiency in power. Look at our economy.

    “Nigerian businesses have learned to trust the ease of, people, processes and to a lesser extent, infrastructure. The pay back has been delivered on that mandate. Now it’s time to take it further, move it to investment promotion, move it to exports of services because it needs less infrastructure. So it’s a quicker win for Nigeria.”

     On aviation regulation within the continent, Oduwole said : “Our minister of aviation has put in impressive reforms. So, part of why you have that lack of connectivity is, for instance, Nigeria was a signatory to the Cape Town convention, but we hadn’t done the procedural rules at the federal high court. So that has been done last year. And so now the aviation sector is paying attention.”

     On the importance of her role she said : “It’s about excellence, it’s about impact. It’s about being good at what you do and being committed to your role to deliver for over 200 million Nigerian people.”

     On Nigeria’s digital future, Oduwole said :“I’m telling the world, Nigeria is open for business. We’re digital. Five out of nine unicorns in Africa are Nigerian. Nigerian talent, our youth – incredible. Don’t miss the wave. We are resourceful. We are resilient. We are agile in spite of the deficiency in power. Look at our economy.”

  • Minister declares exports as Nigeria’s lifeline for economic revival

    Minister declares exports as Nigeria’s lifeline for economic revival

    Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, has identified exports as Nigeria’s most viable path to economic recovery, outlining bold strategies to harness the nation’s untapped potential in global trade.

    Speaking at the World Trade Center (WTC) Abuja’s “Sapphire Soirée,” Oduwole rallied both public and private sectors to unite in positioning Nigeria as a dominant player in international markets.

    “Exports are Nigeria’s future. The current currency challenges, while difficult, present a unique opportunity. Local products have become more affordable on the global stage, giving Nigerian businesses an edge in export,” Oduwole explained.

    The Minister revealed the government’s 2025 focus on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which she described as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy.

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    “We are committed to handholding SMEs through the export process. With the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) eliminating trade barriers, Nigerian businesses can now expand across the continent seamlessly,” she said.

    Beyond goods, Oduwole spotlighted the often-overlooked export potential in services, including fintech, edutech, and cultural industries.

    According to her, “Nigerian services are highly competitive globally. With the right regulatory environment, businesses can earn foreign exchange while operating locally. We want every entrepreneur to know that they can export their services directly from Nigeria.”

    Ahmed Karim Adelaja, Vice President of WTC Abuja, reinforced the Minister’s call for an export-driven economy by unveiling WTC Abuja’s ambitious 2025 agenda.

    Among the initiatives are the launch of a Trade Accelerator Programme to prepare businesses for global markets, participation in the Global Business Forum in Marseille, France, to strengthen trade ties, and the introduction of cutting-edge security measures to position WTC Abuja as Nigeria’s most secure commercial hub.

    He said: “At WTC Abuja, we are more than a landmark; we are Nigeria’s strategic gateway to global trade.

    “Our mission is clear: to attract international brands, foster innovation, and unlock global opportunities for Nigerian enterprises.”

    The Minister commended WTC Abuja’s efforts and aligned them with President Bola Tinubu’s recent international investment missions to South Africa, France, and Brazil.

    “The federal government is actively courting foreign investments, but we need the private sector to mirror these efforts. Together, we can create a thriving ecosystem for trade and investment,” she urged.