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By Brown Chimezie
A stakeholder in the Nigerian non-oil sector has called on the relevant authorities to stop foreigners from dominating the non-oil sector of the Nigerian economy.
Deacon Friday I. Uba, made the call at the Institute of Export of Nigeria (IOEN) 11th Induction and Award Ceremony on December 7, 2023.
Delivering a lecture on the topic “Tapping into the Emerging Opportunities in Nigeria’s Non-Oil Sector”, he said that Nigerians need to assume ownership of the sector so that the country can benefit from the sector.
Uba stated that Nigerians need not be poor given the number of exportable commodities abundantly available and the natural resources the country is endowed with. He, however, argued that the non-export is in the hands of foreigners, who pay little or royalty to the government.
According to Uba, “There are many commodities in the country that are being mined by foreigners, and they pay a token as royalty, and the country is losing revenue in the process.
In his welcome address, the Registrar of the Institute of Export of Nigeria, Elder Samuel Adebayo Adenuga, said over-dependence on crude oil export is negatively impacting the economy and called for support for the non-oil sector. He called on states in the country to look inwards and develop other sources of revenue and stop depending on the Federation Account.
He cited the example Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who said, used revenues from cocoa to develop the Western Region
He tasked the government to stop foreigners from going to farms and dealing directly with farmers, thereby making millions of Nigerian jobless.
The Registrar appreciated the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) for providing regular training to Nigerians.
At the event, new officers were inaugurated with Chief A. A Iguoba as the President, Engr. Matthew A. Alalade as the Deputy President and Mrs. Ibidunni A. Asaolu as the National Treasurer.
A new council of 19 members with the following committees: education, training, media and corporate affairs, membership and general purpose, practical export, and trade policy Committee was also inaugurated.
