Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), recently addressed Nigeria’s agricultural sector, highlighting a concerning trend: Nigeria’s loss in agricultural export markets, which has led to a shift towards becoming a net importer of food.
During the launch of a $1.2 million program to enhance Nigeria’s sesame and cowpea export standards, the former Minister of Finance emphasized the untapped potential of Nigeria’s agriculture sector in boosting export diversification and job creation.
Okonjo-Iweala remarked, “Despite Nigeria’s historical status as a significant exporter of palm kernel, groundnuts, palm oil, cotton, and cocoa, the nation has transitioned into a net importer of many of these goods.”
She added, “Nigeria’s agricultural export markets have dwindled, and it now spends billions annually on importing goods that could be locally produced.”
Highlighting the historical significance of Nigeria’s agricultural exports, Okonjo-Iweala noted, “Nigeria was once a dominant agricultural exporter, with a substantial share of world agricultural exports exceeding one per cent until the mid-1960s.”
However, she lamented that this trend reversed as the economy shifted towards petroleum exploitation. By the mid-1980s, Nigeria’s global market share for agricultural products plummeted to less than 0.1 per cent.
The director-general outlined trade-related challenges hindering Nigeria’s agricultural exports, particularly concerning compliance with Standard Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) requirements.
She highlighted that Nigeria is a leading global producer and consumer of cowpeas and a significant sesame producer. However, exports of these commodities have faced rejections due to failure to meet international standards.
The project aims to address these challenges by enhancing stakeholders’ understanding of market access requirements and improving agricultural practices, including pesticide use, hygiene, and post-harvest processes. This will ultimately ensure food safety and market competitiveness.
