By Grace Alegba
The Managing Director of Polaris Bank, Mr Kayode Lawal, has urged stakeholders to strengthen collaboration to raise non-oil exports to not less than 25 per cent of the nation’s total export earnings.
Lawal, represented by the Group Head, Commercial Banking, Mr Ladi Garuba, made the call at a capacity-building programme for exporters held in Lagos.
The programme, supported by Polaris Bank, was organised by the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Export Group, in collaboration with the Nigeria Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO Aviance).
The event has the theme: “Breaking Barriers: Helping SMEs Navigate Non-Oil Export Procedures for Agro Products and Other Commodities”.
Lawal said Nigeria’s heavy reliance on crude oil, which accounts for about 90 per cent of foreign exchange earnings, exposes the economy to price volatility and external shocks.
He called on NACCIMA to intensify advocacy efforts to raise non-oil exports to about 25 per cent of total export earnings from the current level of roughly 10 per cent.
“Let me seize this opportunity to call on NACCIMA and its Export Group to increase advocacy among and across all key stakeholders, and galvanise the needed synergies and actions to get non-oil exports to account for upwards of 25 per cent of our export earnings from the current 10 per cent,” he said.
According to him, expanding non-oil exports is a strategic imperative for economic diversification, job creation and sustainable growth.
Lawal noted that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are central to agro-exports and commodity trade, where Nigeria has strong comparative advantages.
He said addressing infrastructure gaps, financing constraints, standards compliance and policy inconsistencies require coordinated action by government, regulators, financial institutions and trade bodies.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the bank to supporting exporters through trade finance, advisory services, digital platforms and partnerships across the export value chain.
Lawal urged stakeholders to intensify advocacy and joint interventions to unlock Nigeria’s non-oil export potential and build a more resilient economy.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of Polaris Bank, Mr Chris Ofikulu, said the bank had made a strategic commitment to support SMEs through trade finance, export payments and advisory services.
Ofikulu, represented by the Head, Transaction Banking, Mr Olaleye Arionola, said the bank provides pre- and post-shipment finance, cross-border payment solutions and customs duty payment platforms.
He urged SMEs to engage the bank early in their export journey to leverage its financing options, payment infrastructure and partnerships with NACCIMA and NAHCO.
The South-West Regional Coordinator of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr Benedict Itegbe, said air cargo is a strategic gateway for accelerating SME participation in non-oil exports.
Itegbe said air freight offers speed, quality preservation, flexibility for market testing and faster capital turnover for exporters.
He said Nigeria earned about 6.1 billion dollars from non-oil exports in 2025, urging SMEs to leverage air cargo infrastructure and emerging trade agreements.
The Group Executive Director of NAHCO, Prince Saheed Lasisi, while making a presentation, urged exporters to prioritise innovation and the reputation of the country over immediate profit.
“Breaking barriers in export begins with knowledge, preparation and partnership. When SMEs understand cargo acceptance and handling procedures, they position themselves for sustainable growth in the global market,” he said.
The Chairman of the NACCIMA Export Group, Mr Kola Awe, explained export processes, challenges and interventions by the association to support exporters.
Awe said NACCIMA had established an Export Centre to provide mentorship and transaction support, commending Polaris Bank for supporting the initiative.
He displayed helplines for intending and existing exporters to seek assistance on export-related challenges.
The Assistant Comptroller of Customs in charge of NAHCO Export, Murtala Muhammed Airport Command, Mr Abba Yusuf, said most SME export challenges were procedural and avoidable.
Yusuf urged exporters to comply with documentation requirements and engage early with Customs, NAHCO and other relevant agencies for faster cargo clearance.
Representatives of NAFDAC, NDLEA, the Police, airlines and export agencies called for stronger collaboration and adherence to standards, ethics and international trade regulations.
The interactive event also featured a panel session. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa
