BAT Nigeria Receives NEPC’s Prestigious Recognition for Export Innovation

Dike Onwuamaeze

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has honoured BAT Nigeria as one of the country’s top-performing non-oil exporters.

BAT Nigeria generates approximately $110 million annually in foreign exchange through exports that support Nigeria’s balance of trade.

BAT Nigeria also invested over $185 million in its state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Ibadan, Oyo State, for the production of world-class products and exporting to 13 West African countries and the United States of America.

The External Affairs Director, BAT West and Central Africa, Ms. Odiri Erewa-Meggison, expressed her gratitude for the NEPC’s recognition and reiterated the importance of sustained collaboration between exporters and regulatory bodies.

Erewa-Meggison said: “It is encouraging that the government acknowledges the efforts of non-oil exporters in supporting Nigeria’s economic progress.

“Having the Minister of Trade and Investment, the SON Director-General, and the NEPC CEO engage directly with us, the exporters, is a positive step towards identifying the bottlenecks we face and finding actionable solutions.”

She also stressed the critical need for enhanced government support, particularly regarding Export Expansion Grants (EEGs), which she identified as a key incentive for Nigerian exporters to remain competitive globally.

“To compete effectively on the global stage, exporters need robust incentives. Without such commendable initiatives like the EEGs, the business environment could become less attractive for manufacturers to expand their export businesses and operations.

“Unfortunately, the backlog of EEG payments—some dating back to 2009—remains a pressing issue, with 39 exporters awaiting payments of over ₦60 billion.
“Resolving these outstanding grants is imperative to sustaining export activities for manufacturers in Nigeria,” she said.

Erewa-Meggison further emphasised the importance of exporters having unrestricted access to their proceeds.

She said: “For exporters to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves, access to export proceeds should be seamless.

“A stronger partnership between the government and exporters is necessary to unlock opportunities, create jobs, and spur economic growth.”

The event was attended by distinguished guests that included were the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite; Executive Director and CEO of NEPC, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, and Director General of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mr. Ifeanyi Okeke.

It also brought together prominent leading players in the non-oil export sector and served as a platform to celebrate their role in fostering economic growth and diversifying the nation’s revenue streams.

This exclusive gathering provided a critical forum for key stakeholders and government officials to exchange insights on the challenges facing non-oil exporters, fostering dialogue around practical solutions to accelerate sector development.

Discussions centered on overcoming bottlenecks in trade operations and enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian exports, which play a vital role in generating foreign exchange and driving national economic sustainability.

During the event, stakeholders from across the non-oil export landscape reaffirmed their collective commitment to fostering a mutually beneficial relationship with the Nigerian government.

Their shared goal is to create a thriving export ecosystem that enhances Nigeria’s economic resilience and positions the country competitively in global markets.

The NEPC event marked a pivotal moment in the journey toward aligning the priorities of the government and non-oil exporters. It underscored the importance of strategic partnerships in ensuring that the export sector continues to flourish, ultimately contributing to Nigeria’s long-term economic prosperity.