The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), has urged entrepreneurs in Akwa Ibom to ensure proper documentation of their products in line with international best practices before exporting them.
The Executive Director, NEPC, Mrs Nonye Ayeni said this in a keynote address presented on Wednesday at a sensitisation workshop organised for entrepreneurs in Uyo.
Ayeni, represented by Mr Idongesit Essien, Akwa Ibom Coordinator of NEPC, said the workshop was to ensure that Nigerian exporters were well-equipped with the knowledge to compete effectively in the global marketplace.
The theme of the workshop is; “Strengthening Trade Documentation and Adherence to Importing Country Requirements”.
The executive director said that readiness for export was not just about producing quality goods, but about compliance, documentation, and alignment with international trade standards.
She said that NEPC was working hard to ensure that Nigerian exporters move beyond local success to global competitiveness.
Ayeni reminded entrepreneurs that a single error in paperwork could delay shipments, attract penalties, or even result in rejection of products at destination ports.
“As many of you know, documentation remains one of the most critical yet challenging aspects of export trade.
“A single error in paperwork can delay shipments, attract penalties, or even result in rejection at destination ports.
“This session, therefore, aims to bridge these gaps by providing clarity on export procedures, strengthening understanding of compliance requirements, and enhancing exporters’ capacity to meet the demands of importing countries,” Ayeni said.
According to Ayeni, NEPC, as the lead agency for the promotion of non-oil exports, is also scaling up efforts to promote awareness and training on international market requirements.
She said the council would also facilitate the use of pre-shipment inspection and certification to enhance product acceptability.
In his welcome remarks, the state coordinator, Essien said the workshop was designed to provide entrepreneurs with essential information on export documentation, product labeling, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.
Essien, represented by Mrs Christiana Ekeng, Head Product and Market Division, NEPC said that the sensitisation workshop was necessary considering Nigeria’s increasing focus on diversifying its economy through non-oil exports.
“Historically, challenges such as the rejection of Nigerian products in international markets often due to poor documentation, non-compliance with quality standards, and a lack of knowledge of importing country requirements have hindered this effort.
“With the right knowledge and adherence to best practices, we can lower rejection rates and help Akwa Ibom exporters compete effectively in global markets,” Essien said.
In his remarks, Mr Usen Effiong, the Executive Director of Akwa Ibom State Investment Corporation (AKICORP), urged entrepreneurs in the state to embrace export as it would enhance the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Effiong said that the state government would continue to provide professional advisory services to stakeholders and facilitate entrepreneurship and industrialisation in the state.
He said the state government had set aside N2 billion with the Bank of Industry (BoI) for entrepreneurs to access the funds and improve on their businesses.
In her goodwill message, Mrs Molly Asanga, Uyo Port Officer, Nigerian Shippers’ Council urged entrepreneurs to ensure products meant for export were properly documented in line with international best practices to avoid rejection.
