Nigeria’s non-oil exports have risen to $1.791 billion in the first quarter of 2025. The Nigerian Export Promotion Council announced this on Thursday.
According to Nonye Ayeni, Chief Executive Officer of the NEPC, at a one-day sensitisation exercise organised by the Council for Sesame Seed Farmers, the export value represents a 24.75 per cent increase compared to 19.59 per cent for the first quarter of 2024.
She said that non-oil performance in 2024 indicated that sesame seed ranked number three out of the top 20 export products, amounting to 337.8258 metric tonnes, which accounted for 4.63 per cent of the quantity exported.
“Nigeria can obtain a significant share of the enormous forex from sesame seed export in the global market,” she said.
Ayeni stressed the need to enhance the nation’s sesame yields and production to maximise the export potential along the value chain.
In a presentation, she stated that the export of Nigeria’s sesame seeds to Japan between 2019 and 2021 was allegedly threatened due to the discovery of excess pesticide residue and salmonella.
“The offshoot of this discovery was raised by Japan Oil and Fat Importers and Exporters Association (JOFIEA) on 5th August, 2022.
“Relatively, the Japanese Authorities allegedly confirmed that a high dose of pesticide residue found in Sesame Seed exported to Japan between 2019-2021 was 1.9 times in excess of the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL),” she said.
Ayeni highlighted that some of the challenges related to sesame seed export include poor compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, cross-contamination during the handling process, and a lack of proper documentation by exporters.
The NEPC official highlighted some of the solutions, including addressing the contaminant issue from the farm gate to the market, a comprehensive approach, and leveraging training for farmers on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
“The introduction of a technology-driven traceability system, tackling logistic hurdles, packaging and product differentiation, will also curtail the situation. Quality testing, deployment of modern technology, awareness campaign, as well as establishment of a good storage system are vital,” she said.
She advocated for the establishment of clusters within the medium-term framework, stressing that the council would engage relevant stakeholders to ensure zero rejection of agricultural exports, especially sesame seeds.
“We believe that through strategic engagement, partnerships, Nigeria’s sesame seed export will be boosted and competitively repositioned across major destination markets.”
Abdulkadir Aliyu, the NEPC coordinator in Jigawa, said the forum aimed to increase Nigeria’s sesame seed output.
Aliyu stated that the overall objectives were to help the country capitalise on the growing opportunities in the global market, particularly in foreign exchange earnings.
“This is a valuable opportunity to gain insights and contribute meaningfully to the development of this important sector,” Aliyu said.
