The Oyo State Government has stepped up its drive to diversify the state’s economy by equipping farmers, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and exporters with the skills required to compete in regional and international markets.
The Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Prof. Salihu Abdulwaheed Adelabu, disclosed this at a one-day workshop and sensitisation programme on non-oil exportable products organised by the ministry in collaboration with the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and Oyo Smart Office, Ibadan.
The programme, held at the Conference Room of the ministry at the Secretariat, Ibadan, focused on strengthening the capacity of businesses to take advantage of opportunities in the non-oil export sector.
Adelabu said the initiative was particularly important as Nigeria continued to seek alternatives to crude oil for foreign exchange earnings and sustainable economic growth.
He noted that Oyo State had considerable potential to contribute to the nation’s economic diversification agenda because of its agricultural resources, vibrant trading community, expanding MSME sector and opportunities in agro-processing and other non-oil export activities.
The commissioner, however, stressed that production alone was no longer enough for businesses seeking access to international markets.
According to him, exporters must understand quality standards, certification, packaging, labelling, documentation, logistics, pricing and specific market requirements.
He said the state government would continue to create an enabling environment for businesses to expand and participate meaningfully in domestic, regional and international trade.
Adelabu added that the administration would continue to explore opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other international trade initiatives to improve market access for businesses in the state.
He urged farmers and MSMEs to move beyond producing solely for the local market and position themselves as suppliers to consumers and businesses across Africa and beyond.
The commissioner said there was a need for businesses to progress from production to value addition, value addition to standardisation and standardisation to export competitiveness.
He also assured participants that the ministry would sustain its collaboration with NEPC and other relevant institutions to facilitate trade, promote entrepreneurship, support MSMEs and encourage export-oriented production.
In his remarks, the State Coordinator and Deputy Director, NEPC Oyo Smart Office, Ibadan, Mr Ralph Ogbenyi, represented by Mr Opaleye Oluwatosin, said the council remained committed to helping businesses understand and take advantage of opportunities in the non-oil export sector.
He urged participants to improve the quality, packaging, certification and documentation of their products to meet international market requirements.
The workshop also focused on the importance of digital transformation in building competitive businesses.
The Chief Executive Officer of Wallx Africa Limited, Mr Richmond Ogigai, urged business owners to maximise the potential of smartphones and establish strong digital footprints through WhatsApp, Google Maps, social media platforms and websites.
Ogigai identified digital visibility, purposeful content, digitised business operations and proper transaction records as essential pillars for building credible and scalable businesses.
He advised entrepreneurs to separate their personal and business accounts and maintain proper financial records, noting that transaction data could strengthen business credibility and improve access to finance.
Wallx Africa announced plans to provide 30 annual subscriptions to businesses demonstrating readiness to embrace digital transformation. Seventy per cent of the subscriptions will be allocated to women entrepreneurs and 30 per cent to men.
The company also disclosed plans to connect credible businesses with financial institutions and develop a financing initiative in collaboration with the state government.
Meanwhile, representatives of Fountana-Mart Associates Nigeria Limited, Mr Imhanbor Martins and Mr Kayode Olugbemide, sensitised participants on the proposed Oyo State-Ghana Trade Summit.
The summit is expected to expose businesses to cross-border trade, digital commerce, product exhibition, business matching and networking opportunities in Ghana and the wider West African market.
Participants are also expected to gain practical knowledge of digital branding, e-commerce, cross-border payments, logistics, Ghana’s trade environment and investment opportunities, while connecting with prospective buyers, distributors and business partners.
The programme further highlighted the importance of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) in facilitating the movement of eligible products across West African markets.
Participants were encouraged to familiarise themselves with the certification and documentation requirements necessary to benefit from the scheme.
In the agricultural sector, Otunba Kunle Adeyemo Farms delivered a practical session on agricultural products with export potential, including cocoa, cashew and coffee.
The session also covered irrigation methods and their benefits for improving agricultural productivity. Participants were introduced to selected cashew varieties, including Brazilian Jumbo and Ogbomoso varieties, while vegetable seedlings were provided for practical demonstration.
Another major highlight was the hands-on training in cosmetics and toiletries production.
Mrs Temitope Debbie, Chief Executive Officer of Emmatee’s Global Limited, led a practical session on cosmetics production, while Miss Bolanle Adeusi, Chief Executive Officer of ABS Sparkle Limited, trained participants on toiletries production.
The sessions exposed participants to practical methods of converting locally sourced materials into finished products with potential for wider markets.
The workshop ultimately provided farmers, MSMEs and exporters with practical knowledge on value addition, digital transformation, agricultural production and export opportunities, reinforcing the Oyo State Government’s drive to strengthen businesses, create jobs and increase the state’s participation in regional and international trade.
