The Oyo State Government has unveiled Omituntun 2.0 export initiative tagged “Operation Double Your Export”, adding that the initiative will allow key players in the export ecosystem to chart a sustainable path for increased non-oil exports in the State.
The meeting engaged major stakeholders on export growth in Oyo State.
The Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Hon. Adeniyi Adebisi, made this known today during the stakeholders’ engagement held at the ministry’s conference room in Ibadan.
Hon. Adebisi emphasized that the meeting was a strategic move by the State to deepen collaboration with regulatory agencies, agro-allied entrepreneurs, financial institutions, and exporters to boost Oyo’s presence in international markets.
He noted that Oyo State is determined to harness its comparative advantage in cashew, cocoa, shea butter, cassava, and other agro-allied products to unlock wealth, create jobs, and increase internally generated revenue.
The Commissioner said that Oyo State is the first subnational in Africa to develop African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) strategy, attracting a visit from the AfCFTA Secretary General.
Leveraging its location and trade infrastructure, the state aims to boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and align with continental trade protocols.
Key initiatives include AfDB recognition as an agro-processing zone and regional cooperation with Southwest states.
Oyo sets a model for subnational leadership in Africa’s economic integration.
The Commissioner explained ongoing State interventions in regulatory reforms and export facilitation.
These include engaging agencies like the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), establishing a Trade Grievance Resolution Office, and supporting executive bills to ease export processes.
He urged stakeholders to bring forward export-related legislative suggestions through the Ministry, saying, “If you have a legislation that works for you, come to us. It is better and faster to go as an executive bill than for you to do it individually. Why waste time and resources?”
He also cited the example of branding Ogbomoso cashew for global visibility, stating: “If it requires that we produce bags and write ‘Ogbomoso’ on them, we will move cashew successfully for exportation.”
The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olajide Okesade stressed the Ministry’s vision to transition from a local trade mindset to a structured, export-driven economy.
The President, Oyo State Shippers Association and CEO of Oklan Best Nigeria Ltd., Mrs. Elizabeth Olanrewaju Nwanko shared insights from her experience exporting beans, yam, egusi, and fish to Europe and North America.
She identified barriers such as high tariffs, lack of proper product certification, and the tendency of exporters to route goods through Ghana, Togo, and Benin Republic due to their friendlier trade policies.
She advocated for land allocation in Ogbomoso, Shaki, and Tede for cashew and shea plantations, use of GPS for farm monitoring, and enforcement of tree-felling laws. “There’s global demand for 500,000 metric tons of shea butter—Oyo can tap into this if we act strategically,” she emphasized.
The representative of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), Prince Aderemi Adejobi, revealed that NAHCO has established export processing centers in Lagos and plans to replicate them in other cities.
These centers aim to help farmers meet international standards, reduce spoilage through cold-chain infrastructure, and eliminate export rejection risks.
He stressed that these hubs will be vital in aggregating farm produce for efficient and compliant export operations.
Assistant Director and Oyo State Trade Promotion Advisor at the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC),Mrs. Bolanle Emmanuel, outlined various incentives and programs available for Oyo exporters, including the Export Expansion Grant (EEG), Export Development Fund (EDF), and training workshops.
She clarified that NEPC provides free advisory support, though obtaining an export certificate involves a fee ranging from ₦7,500 to ₦13,500 depending on the renewal timeline.
The representative of Parallex Bank, Mr. Adepoju Mojeed, disclosed that the bank recently received a $10 million facility from Afreximbank to support SMEs, particularly in agriculture and export trade.
He encouraged farmers and agro-processors to access credit through cooperatives, pay mandatory export fees (NESS), and leverage opportunities for collateral-free loans and capacity-building programs.
The engagement marked a significant step toward positioning Oyo State as a formidable player in Nigeria’s export sector.
Stakeholders agreed to maintain close collaboration with the State Government and to fully leverage platforms such as the “Omituntun Export Initiative” for sustainable growth and inclusive economic development.
E-signed:
Prince Dotun Oyelade,
Commissioner for Information and Orientation,
Oyo State.
July 22, 2025.
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