By Sunday Durven
In an effort to unlock Benue State’s export potential, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has partnered with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and other stakeholders to drive export promotion, particularly within the agricultural sector.
The collaboration was formalized during a strategic stakeholders’ meeting held on Monday at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment conference hall, State Secretariat, Makurdi. The meeting aimed to create synergy among government ministries, agencies, development partners, and private sector actors in order to streamline and boost the state’s export landscape.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry and Chairman of the State Committee on Export Promotion (SCEP), Mr. Cephas Hough, in his opening address, stressed the importance of collaboration across all relevant sectors. He urged stakeholders, especially the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, to intensify efforts in engaging local entrepreneurs in export activities, describing them as key to realizing Benue’s vast agricultural export capacity.
Speaking on behalf of the Director General of RMRDC, Prof. Nnanyelugo M. Ike-Muonso, the Benue State Coordinator, Mrs. Abel-Ugbir Iveren Jessica, reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to working closely with NEPC. She highlighted her recent strategic visit to the NEPC State Office, during which both agencies aligned on joint export development activities.
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Mrs. Abel-Ugbir further disclosed plans to convene a Stakeholders’ and Investors’ Forum focused on the citrus value chain. She noted that the forum will explore opportunities for investment and export development in citrus production, with more details to be shared soon.
Providing updates from the recently concluded National Forum of State Committees on Export Promotion in Abuja, NEPC State Coordinator, Mr. Friday Ogiri, described SCEP as a pivotal platform for advancing non-oil exports. He expressed concern that Benue currently has only one active registered exporter and emphasized the need for the state to fully harness its agricultural value chains, particularly in sesame and soybean.
Ogiri also revealed that a private sector investor is expected to visit the state soon to support cluster formation in the sesame and soybean sectors. He advocated for alternative financing sources outside traditional banks to enhance access to capital for export-oriented businesses.
Also speaking at the event, Zonal Head of NEXIM Bank, Mr. Ben Nyakuma, confirmed the availability of export funding through contract-based arrangements. He noted that while many successful businesses owned by Benue indigenes are located outside the state, local entrepreneurs must take advantage of funding opportunities to establish themselves in export trade.
The State Manager of the Bank of Industry (BOI), Mr. Patrick Terhemba, educated attendees on the loan application processes and requirements for prospective exporters and industrialists, encouraging them to utilize available financial support channels.
At the close of the meeting, participants resolved to form sub-committees tasked with implementing key export development initiatives. These include expanding agricultural value chains, enhancing capacity-building for exporters, and repositioning Benue as a major contributor to Nigeria’s non-oil export economy.
