…as EKSG Holds 2-Day Export Accelerator Training for MSMEs
The Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to positioning the State’s products for global competitiveness, stressing that local entrepreneurs must embrace international standards to thrive in the export market.
The State Governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Oyeniyi Adebayo at the opening of a two-day Export Accelerator Programme in Ado-Ekiti, said the initiative would enable Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the State to package their goods to meet global requirements, earn foreign exchange, create jobs and diversify the State’s economy.
Governor Oyebanji who noted that his administration had been deliberate in creating policies and partnerships that would open new trade corridors for Ekiti businesses, emphasized that with the right technical support, access to finance and international exposure, Ekiti products could compete favorably anywhere in the world.
“Our products and services can be consumed and enjoyed all over the world, but there are requirements that must be met to play on the world stage,” he said.
He added the programme was aimed at equipping business owners with the knowledge and tools to access both national and international markets.
Earlier in her welcome address, the State Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives, Mrs. Omotayo Adeola, who said the training, organized by her Ministry in partnership with Ekiti State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (EKDIPA) for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) was part of the government’s ‘Ekiti Without Borders vision’.
The State Commissioner explained that the programme was a response to the growing demand from Ekiti entrepreneurs seeking guidance on breaking into export markets, addind that participants would be exposed to export processes including product packaging, certification, marketing and value addition.
Mrs. Adeola assured that the Ministry would continue to work with relevant agencies to remove barriers limiting small businesses from accessing international trade opportunities.
In her remarks, the Director-General of EKDIPA, Ms. Ololade Olutola, described the programme as a strategic step toward enhancing the marketability of Ekiti businesses globally, which would, in turn, boost the State’s economy.
Ms. Olutola stated that EKDIPA would continue to link Ekiti-based businesses to both domestic and foreign investors, adding that a thriving export sector would not only earn foreign exchange for the state but also stimulate industrialisation and attract new investments.
Ekiti State Coordinator of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mrs. Emily Otoide, outlined support services available to exporters, including company registration, product identification, participation in international trade fairs, access to grants and low-interest export loans.
Mrs. Otoide said the Council was ready to walk hand-in-hand with Ekiti exporters, helping them navigate regulatory requirements and connecting them to viable markets.
She emphasised that the NEPC’s role was not just to promote Nigerian products abroad but also to ensure they met the expectations of foreign buyers.
The resource person, an export promotion consultant, Mrs. Adaora Onyeke, who urged participants not to see export business as overly complex or capital-intensive, cited the huge potential of everyday agricultural and non-agricultural products in foreign markets and stressed that adding value to products would increase returns in hard currency.
Mrs. Onyeke encouraged participants to think beyond raw material export, highlighting that finished and semi-finished products often attracted better prices abroad as she shared the success stories of Nigerian entrepreneurs who started small but grew into global suppliers through strategic branding and consistent quality.
Dignitaries at the event included the Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives, Mr. Adedayo Falua; National Executive Member and Chairman, MSME Trade Group, NACCIMA, Chief Kola Akosile; President, EKICCIMA, Alhaji Olufemi Hassan; President, National Association of Small Scale Industrialists, Mr. Afolabi Akosile; Centre Manager, Technology Incubation Centre, Mr. Tola Fasan, amongst others.