The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has emphasized the need for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and farmers in the sesame seed value chain to address challenges limiting export performance in order to enhance Nigeria's non-oil export earnings.
The Council noted that Nigeria's non-oil export value rose to $1.79 billion in the first quarter of 2025, representing a 24.75 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024, with sesame seed ranking third among the country's top 20 export products.
Speaking at a one-day sensitisation workshop for sesame farmers in Dutse, Jigawa State, themed "A Tactical Involvement for Enhancing the Production Capacity of Sesame Seed in Jigawa State," NEPC Chief Executive Officer, Nonye Ayeni, highlighted the importance of strengthening production capacity and compliance standards to meet international market requirements.
Represented by Okany Sylvia, Chief Trade Promotion Officer at NEPC, Ayeni said, "Nigeria can secure a larger share of the global sesame market if farmers and SMEs improve yield quality, adopt best practices, and comply with global standards."
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She noted that export of Nigeria's sesame seeds to Japan had previously faced restrictions due to excessive pesticide residues and poor post-harvest handling, stressing the need for farmers and processors to enhance sanitary, phytosanitary, and documentation standards.
Also speaking, NEPC Coordinator in Jigawa State, Abdulkadir Aliyu, said the Council was working with farmers, SMEs, and cooperatives to promote partnerships and provide market access support to reposition Nigeria's sesame industry for export competitiveness.
He added that the initiative would empower local businesses, attract foreign exchange, and contribute to job creation within the agricultural sector.
Participants at the workshop, including Balaraba Ibrahim and Magaji Rabi'u, called for the establishment of processing and aggregation centres in Jigawa to reduce exploitation of farmers and enable value addition before export.
