Nigeria: NEPC Accelerates Export Growth in Kwara with Focus on Cashew, Sesame, and Soya Beans
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) is amplifying its efforts to enhance Kwara State’s share in Nigeria’s non-oil export revenues. This initiative centers on developing export clusters focused on cashew, sesame seeds, and soya beans.
Stakeholders Unite for Export Cluster Development
The initiative was highlighted during a stakeholders’ consultative meeting on Export Cluster Development held in Ilorin, Kwara State. This gathering brought together government officials, farmers, exporters, and private sector representatives to identify strategies aimed at unlocking the state’s export potential.
Mr. Olu Ikulajolu, the State Coordinator of the NEPC in Kwara, articulated that soya beans and cashew are the primary commodities under the One State One Product (OSOP) program. He noted that the inclusion of sesame seeds was a result of recent research and consultations, which revealed a rise in sesame production and significant export-related investments in Kwara.
Current Export Performance and Challenges
According to Mr. Ikulajolu, Nigeria achieved approximately $6.1 billion in non-oil exports in 2025. However, Kwara State’s contribution was a mere $58 million, a figure he deemed significantly below the state’s potential. He attributed this underperformance to the lack of aggregation centers and structured channels for capturing export data.
The initiative aims to tackle these challenges by establishing functional export clusters, which are expected to stimulate production and enhance export competitiveness.
Acknowledging Agricultural Potential
Mrs. Foluke Shokoya, the Permanent Secretary of the Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, recognized the vast potential of sesame seeds, cashew, and soya beans in the state. Represented by Mallam Idris Mohammed, the Director of Extension Services, she noted that while Kwara is performing well in sesame production, most buyers are from outside the state. This situation highlights the need for increased local participation in the value chain.
Mrs. Shokoya expressed gratitude to the NEPC for its initiative and recommended establishing produce collection centers near major towns, providing motorcycles for aggregation, and fostering collaboration with traditional rulers to ensure community support for investors and exporters. She assured that the Ministry would support this initiative, emphasizing the availability of around 120 extension workers to train and monitor farms across the state.
Calls for Enhanced Support and Investment
Dr. Popoola O. Peter, Head of the Department of Agriculture at the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), praised the NEPC for facilitating stakeholder collaboration. He emphasized the necessity for stronger support for farmers, improved land access, and a conducive environment for agricultural production. He noted that sustainable development of export crops requires targeted investment in farming communities.
Dr. Popoola highlighted that improved mechanization is crucial for attracting youth to agriculture and protecting investments in export-oriented farming.
Alhaji Ibrahim Adebayo, Vice President of Agriculture at the Kwara Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KWACCIMA), urged the state government and relevant agencies to provide the necessary support for farmers to expand cultivation of the three selected commodities. He pointed out that agricultural data indicates that cashew, sesame, and soya beans hold significant comparative advantages in Kwara.
Commitment from Farmers and Associations
Engr. Shuaib Ajibola, Chairman of the All Farmers Association (AFAN) in Kwara, expressed farmers’ commitment to the initiative. Mr. Yinka Olawoyin, Chairman of the Nigerian Association of Soya Beans Farmers in Kwara, indicated his association’s readiness to collaborate with the NEPC to enhance soya production and export. He also called for regular training for farmers and exporters, proper registration of commodity associations, improved access to certified seeds, and the establishment of reliable off-taker arrangements to protect farmers from exploitation by middlemen.
The stakeholders unanimously pledged their support for the Export Cluster Development initiative, recognizing that structured export clusters for cashew, sesame, and soya beans could enhance production, attract investment, create jobs, and significantly increase Kwara State’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export earnings.
Participants advocated for broader stakeholder consultations and urged the Kwara State Government to support the program due to its substantial economic benefits for the state.
Source: www.zawya.com
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Published on 2026-07-14 14:39:00 • By the Editorial Desk
