• Super Admin
• 06 Mar, 2026

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), in collaboration with the Committee Linking Entrepreneurship-Agriculture Development (COLEAD), has trained Nigerian exporters on European Union (EU) regulations to reduce the rejection of the country's agri-food products in international markets. The training was held during the RE-ENERG ZED Webinar 8.0 Series on EU Regulations for Importation of Nigeria's Agri-Food Products, organised by the NEPC in partnership with COLEAD on Thursday. Speaking at the webinar, Nonye Ayeni, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, said the initiative was aimed at equipping exporters with practical knowledge on meeting EU regulatory requirements and strengthening Nigeria's non-oil export sector. Ayeni said the EU remained one of Nigeria's most strategic trade partners, accounting for about 26 per cent of the country's total trade. According to her, available statistics show that Nigeria's total exports to the EU in 2024 stood at about $21.87 billion, while EU exports to Nigeria were valued at $20.2 billion. She noted, however, that non-oil exports represent only about 10 per cent of Nigeria's total exports to the EU, describing the gap as an opportunity for the country to expand its market share. "The European Union remains one of Nigeria's most strategic trade partners and a high-value market destination accounting for about 26% of Nigeria's total trade. With over 400 million consumers and a strong demand for safe, sustainable and traceable agricultural products, the EU offers tremendous opportunities for Nigerian exports. "Available statistics show that Nigeria's total export to the EU in 2024 stood at US$21.87 billion while EU export to Nigeria was US$20.2 billion," she said. Ayeni listed some of the products exported from Nigeria to the EU, including cocoa and cocoa products, oilseeds, fish and seafood, rubber, leather and wood. She said Nigeria was endowed with numerous agricultural commodities such as cocoa, sesame, hibiscus, ginger, fruits, vegetables and spices that could significantly boost foreign exchange earnings if properly processed and exported. According to her, global trade is increasingly driven by standards, traceability and sustainability principles, making compliance with international regulations critical for exporters. She explained that regulatory non-compliance, quality challenges and limited awareness of international standards had often hindered exporters from fully leveraging opportunities in the EU market. Ayeni added that the council had intensified capacity-building programmes for exporters, including training on international standards, export packaging and product presentation. She disclosed that the NEPC sponsored and facilitated about 210 international product certifications for Nigerian exporters last year to help them access niche markets. "Our goal is to equip Nigerian exporters with the knowledge, tools and institutional support needed to succeed in the international marketplace and reduce the rejection of Nigerian products abroad," she said. She also commended development partners such as the World Trade Organisation, International Trade Centre, German Agency for International Cooperation and the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries for supporting Nigeria's export development initiatives. Also speaking, Nura Abba Rimi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, represented by Felix Charles Nwachinemere, said compliance with EU regulations was essential for sustained participation in the European market. He stressed that exporters must view compliance as a strategic business investment rather than a regulatory burden. Rimi said the ministry, in collaboration with the NEPC and other agencies, was strengthening quality infrastructure, promoting value addition and facilitating training to ensure Nigerian products meet international standards. He urged exporters to adopt modern processing and packaging methods, obtain certifications such as ISO and GlobalGAP, build traceable value chains and leverage digital platforms for documentation and transparency. According to him, while the EU remains a critical market, exporters should also take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area to expand into African markets. "Compliance with EU standards will automatically enhance competitiveness in other markets and position Nigeria as a hub for quality agri-food exports," he said. A representative of the Embassy of Nigeria in Brussels also said the agri-food sector remained one of Nigeria's most promising frontiers for economic diversification and non-oil export growth. The representative noted that initiatives such as the Agri-Info programme provide exporters and government officials with timely updates on regulatory changes in the EU, including food safety rules, pesticide residue limits and sustainability requirements. He added that the embassy would continue to support stakeholders by bridging information gaps and strengthening partnerships that enhance market access for Nigerian products. Also speaking at the webinar, Rosemary Oche, Chief Superintendent of Quarantine at the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service, highlighted major factors responsible for rejection of agricultural exports. She said about 80 per cent of rejections were due to the absence of phytosanitary certificates, while other factors included incomplete botanical names and inaccurate declarations of export quantities. Oche advised exporters to ensure proper inspection, treatment and certification of their products before shipment, stressing the importance of complying with the import requirements of destination countries. She also urged exporters to adopt proper packaging and fumigation processes to prevent pest contamination during export. She advised exporters to start small but aim big, while building trust with international buyers through consistent compliance with global standards. Source: https://businessday.ng/news/article/nepc-partners-train-exporters-on-eu-regulations-to-reduce-rejection-of-nigerian-products/