The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has urged Nigerian businesses, particularly those in the North-East, to take advantage of opportunities created by the country’s foreign policy and participation in regional and continental trade agreements.
Enikanolaiye said Nigeria’s foreign policy must go beyond diplomatic engagements and translate into practical economic benefits for citizens, especially entrepreneurs and businesses operating at the grassroots.
The Minister stated this on Saturday in Bauchi while speaking at a sensitization workshop on the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS), held at the International Conference Centre Hall.
He said the Federal Government was working to bridge the information gap among businesses regarding the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other trade frameworks that could provide access to larger markets.
According to him, many Nigerian businesses were yet to fully understand the requirements and opportunities available under AfCFTA, limiting their ability to compete in the continental market.
Enikanolaiye encouraged businesses to explore opportunities in agriculture, mining, manufacturing and other sectors where Nigeria has comparative advantages, stressing the importance of industrialisation and value addition.
He said increased awareness and participation in international trade would enable Nigerian enterprises to expand their markets, boost exports and create employment opportunities.
The Minister also urged stakeholders in the North-East to position the region to benefit from regional and continental markets by developing competitive products and strengthening value chains.
He said sustainable economic and social development could not be achieved without deeper integration into global trade and economic opportunities.
Enikanolaiye added that the Bauchi engagement was designed to bring foreign policy closer to ordinary Nigerians and demonstrate how Nigeria’s international commitments could contribute directly to economic prosperity.