Abuja:Nigeria has a wealth of products with the potential to compete internationally, such as sesame, hibiscus, shea butter, yam, and cassava. Despite this, Nigerian products often struggle to gain sustained access to global markets.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, interviews with various stakeholders at the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS 2026) highlight the challenges faced by Nigerian products. The issue is not merely a lack of products but the systems required to make them competitive and sustainable abroad. Weaknesses in the export chain, such as certification, quality control, processing, packaging, financing, regulation, logistics, market intelligence, and business relationships, impact the success of Nigerian exports.
Alh. Magaji Kamal, CEO of Silkim Group, shared an experience where cassava flour from Nigeria was rejected in Mauritius due to contamination, demonstrating the need for Nigerian processing facilities to meet international hygiene and quality standards. He noted that while some Nigerian products, like hibiscus flower and sesame, are entering the Malaysian market, they often rely on diaspora demand rather than mainstream international consumption.
The need for proper certification is another barrier, as highlighted by Ali Saidu, CEO of Salid Agricultural Nigeria Ltd. He emphasized that international buyers often require halal certification, which Nigeria lacks, forcing businesses to seek certification from other countries. This gap in certification systems can lead to missed business opportunities.
Mrs. Isioma Ona, Managing Director of Ecoepicure Ltd, pointed out that Nigerian exporters need to understand the certification and import requirements of markets like Malaysia, emphasizing that compliance with local standards alone is insufficient for global market access. The broader reality is that products must meet the technical and regulatory standards of destination markets.
Mr. Noah Ibitoye of ZyNooh Store Nigeria expressed optimism about Malaysian manufacturing and suggested that attracting Malaysian investment in Nigeria could foster technology transfer and enhance local production. This could help Nigeria move beyond an import-dependent relationship and increase local value capture.
Amb. Ahmed Sulu-Gambari, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, stressed the importance of learning from Malaysia’s economic experience to strengthen Nigeria-Malaysia business collaboration. He noted efforts to attract Malaysian companies to Nigeria and address investment concerns, aiming for measurable benefits from economic diplomacy.
Mr. Aliyu Sheriff, Special Adviser to the President on Export, mentioned the government’s strategy around Islamic finance, certification, and market access. He stressed the importance of certification for accessing markets like Malaysia and Indonesia, highlighting the need for deliberate matchmaking between Nigerian businesses and international buyers.
Dr. Popoola Olapoju, a consultant to Federal Polytechnic Mubi, emphasized that halal compliance is about product cleanliness, not just religion. He advocated for stronger knowledge and institutional capacity in Nigeria’s export ecosystem.
Mrs. Hajara Agabi, Chief Commercial Officer of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, shared that Nigeria is developing a comprehensive halal framework to improve certification, standards, and market access. The effectiveness of this framework will depend on its implementation.
Overall, Nigeria’s export challenges are due to a chain of interconnected weaknesses, from production to certification and market entry. A comprehensive policy response is needed to establish a stronger national system for export certification, shift focus from raw commodities to value-added processing, and develop export-finance mechanisms. Enhanced market intelligence and buyer-matching systems are also crucial for converting interest into actual transactions, ensuring Nigeria’s production potential translates into sustained international trade.