By Mustapha Shettima, Alfaya Jibrilla & Hajara Bomai
In today’s highly competitive global marketplace, the packaging and labelling of products can make or break a sale. Recognizing this critical factor, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), in partnership with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) and other key stakeholders, recently hosted a high-impact one-day workshop in Maiduguri. The event, themed “Developing the Packaging and Labelling Skills of MSME Exporters,” aimed to equip local small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet international export standards.
With participation from the Ministries of Agriculture, Commerce, Trade and Industry, as well as the Borno Agricultural Village, the workshop underscored packaging and labelling not merely as aesthetic considerations but as strategic pillars critical to export readiness and economic diversification.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Abubakar Umar of NEPC Borno State welcomed attendees, stressing the importance of the workshop in advancing Nigeria’s export-led growth.
“It is indeed an honor to host this workshop. The need for internationally accepted packaging and labelling of Nigerian products, especially those intended for export, cannot be overstated. A quality product without efficient packaging is as good as a bad product,” he said.
He highlighted the persistent challenge facing Nigerian MSMEs who often lack a proper understanding of export-compliant packaging. This gap necessitates continuous training and technical support to enhance competitiveness and compliance with global standards.
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Mr. Abubakar Umar, one of the workshop’s resource persons, provided clear definitions of packaging and labelling: “Packaging encloses products for distribution, storage, sale, and use, while labelling ensures product traceability, regulatory compliance, and consumer awareness.” He warned that poor labelling can lead to export rejection, even if product quality is high, and noted the absence of local packaging industries in the state as a challenge to streamlined marketing and export processes.
RMRDC’s Borno State Coordinator, Mustapha Shettima, emphasized the value of adding at least 30% value to products before export. “Exporting is not just about sending goods abroad; Nigerians must learn to appreciate and add value to their products. For example, groundnuts sold as a whole can be transformed into multiple products like oil, cake, and shells, creating diverse revenue streams. This approach is key to economic advancement,” he explained.
During the workshop, Alhaji Alamin Umara of Borno Agricultural Village, a major stakeholder, highlighted the export potential of local raw materials such as shea butter and cassava, which are abundant in the state. “These products have growing global demand but require proper packaging to unlock their true value in international markets,” he noted. He also commended RMRDC for its role in boosting agriculture through improved seed distribution to farmers.
Alhaji Umara called on the RMRDC to further focus on industrializing shea butter and cassava, pointing out that shea butter is widely available across local government areas including Askira-Uba, Chibok, and Bama. He stressed that developing these raw materials aligns perfectly with RMRDC’s five strategic goals and will help meet the rising global demand for these products.
This was followed immediately by the State Coordinator RMRDC, Mr. Shettima also reaffirming the Council’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s industrialization agenda by promoting indigenous raw materials and pledged to collaborate closely with NEPC to pioneer eco-friendly, cost-effective packaging solutions using local materials. This initiative aims to boost job creation and reduce dependence on imported packaging while ensuring compliance with international export standards.
This workshop was more than just a training session—it was a strategic step toward closing the knowledge gap that has held many Nigerian MSMEs back from reaching global markets.
With strengthened collaboration between NEPC and RMRDC, Nigeria’s abundant raw materials can be transformed into world-class products, properly packaged, clearly labelled, and confidently exported.
In the competitive world of exports, how a product looks is just as important as what it is. Thanks to initiatives like this, Nigerian MSMEs are now a step closer to securing their place on the global stage.
