Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BACCIMA), has urged women in business to engage in legitimate cross-border trade without being labeled smugglers.
Alhaji Idris Yahaya, the President, BACCIMA gave the advice at the International Women’s Day Celebration organised by the Chamber in Badagry.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the theme of the 2025 event was entitled “Accelerate Action with BACCIMA’s sub-theme: “Women in Cross-Border Trade”.
Yahaya said that the gathering was about empowering women, helping them navigate trade barriers, understanding documentation requirements, and accessing export markets.
“Nigeria plays a central role in regional trade as host to ECOWAS Headquarters in Abuja.
“The ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) promotes free movement of people, goods, and services, further reinforced by the emerging African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Women traders must not be left behind in these opportunities. This is the future we envision; one where women thrive in cross-border trade without obstacles,” he said.
Yahaya noted that BACCIMA had championed efforts to empower women traders, ensuring they operate without unnecessary hindrances at border posts.
The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mrs Nonye Ayeni, said that one of the functions of NEPC was to assist in promoting the development of export related industries in Nigeria.
Ayeni, represented by Mrs A Ibiloye, a Director in NEPC, commended BACCIMA for celebrating the strong and determined women in the non-oil export sector landscape.
She said that at NEPC, products that could be exported from Nigeria to other countries include; commodities, manufactured goods, solid minerals, art and craft and services.
Similarly, the Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Immigration Service, Seme Command, Mr Illiaysu Isaac who represented the Comptroller Abdullahi Adamu, said the command was working with BACCIMA to ensure smooth movement for members of the Chamber.
He assured members of the Chamber that the command would ensure they get their passports at the official rate, adding that they would cooperate with BACCIMA to ensure easy means of doing business for them.
Mrs Ngozi Modebelu, the BACCIMA Women Leader, in her remarks, noted that women play crucial role in trade, contributing significantly to regional and global economies.
She said that the theme for the 2025 IWD was a call to act, innovate and push boundaries in every sphere, including cross border trade.
Mrs Risikat Padonu-Hassan, the Supervisor for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) Badagry Local Government Area, Lagos State, urged women to love one another, advising them to work together and make profit.
In her keynote address, Mrs Janet Omisore, the former Deputy Director General, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), said it was time for women to take bold steps.
According to her, this is the time for women to take bold, decisive and meaningful steps to move beyond ineffective practices and achieve positive change in cross border trade.
She urged women to ensure their exported goods conform to international safety measures and standards, adding that it was crucial for the success of their cross border business.
Omisore said that women needed to move forward with greater speed and efficiency rather than waiting or procrastinating.
