President Tinubu Unveils Plan to Boost Non-Oil Exports, Calls for Improved Quality Infrastructure and Private Sector Collaboration
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has outlined a comprehensive plan to significantly increase Nigeria's non-oil exports, emphasizing the crucial role of a more efficient and sustainable National Quality Infrastructure. This move is expected to boost foreign exchange earnings, strengthen the Naira, improve capacity utilization, create jobs, and drive overall economic growth.
According to President Tinubu, the effective implementation of the Nigerian National Quality Policy (NNQP) is essential to achieving this goal. He urged all relevant stakeholders to be proactive in driving the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) Digital Trade Protocol, given Nigeria's official endorsement as the Digital Trade Champion for the continent.
The President also challenged the organized private sector in Nigeria to demand quality products and services from their public sector counterparts, promoting a quality culture among citizens. This, he believes, will enhance Nigeria's ability to trade seamlessly beyond its borders, especially under the AfCFTA and the Federal Government's economic diversification agenda.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, represented President Tinubu at a workshop on Sustainable Provision of Metrology Services in Nigeria, held in Lagos. The workshop was organized under the auspices of the Standards Partnership Programme (SPP), supported by the United Kingdom Government through the Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO).
Senator Akume expressed appreciation to the United Kingdom Government for its support and assistance to the National Quality Council (NQC) towards the effective implementation of the NNQP through the SPP. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in promoting quality culture and driving economic growth.
The Executive Chairman of the NQC, Osita Aboloma, reiterated the Council's commitment to establishing a more efficient National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) that accommodates both the public and private sectors. He stated that the NQC's mandate of effective implementation of the NNQP would positively impact the National Quality Infrastructure, especially in relation to increased non-oil exports and mitigation of Nigeria's export rejects.
Dr. Simeon Umukoro of the UK Department for Business and Trade at the FCDO reiterated the UK's unwavering support for Nigeria's economic diversification and trade enhancement efforts. He emphasized that improving Nigeria's National Quality Infrastructure would unlock new opportunities to drive innovation, competitiveness, eliminate technical trade barriers, improve regulatory compliance, promote export competitiveness, and economic growth for both nations.
The SPP, backed by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by the British Standards Institution (BSI) in partnership with Nigeria's National Quality Council (NQC), aims to establish a robust quality infrastructure focused on improving standardization, accreditation, conformity assessment, inspection, testing, and metrology services.
By boosting UK/Nigeria's export capacity, attracting investment, and enhancing trade efficiency, the SPP is expected to play a critical role in driving economic growth and development in Nigeria. As President Tinubu's administration continues to prioritize economic diversification and trade enhancement, the successful implementation of the NNQP and the SPP will be crucial in achieving these goals.
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