The Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), in a significant partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC), has launched a high-level engagement with sesame and cowpea stakeholders to address the persistent challenges of “international market rejection” due to non-compliance with global standards. At a “needs assessment and validation workshop” held in Kano on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, the NEPC Director of Product Development, Mr. Ayeni, noted that the initiative is a continuation of the 2025 “de-risking” strategy launched by the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. The goal is to ensure that Nigeria’s agricultural exports, particularly sesame seeds and cowpeas, meet the stringent Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) requirements of premium markets in Japan, China, and the European Union.
Supporting context for the engagement reveals that Nigeria is one of the world’s top producers of sesame seeds, yet a large percentage of the crop is rejected at international borders due to pesticide residues and poor handling techniques. The International Trade Centre’s representative at the workshop, Mr. Heisig, explained that the collaboration is focused on “strategic communication” and training for farmers, processors, and exporters on the “best agricultural practices” required for global compliance. The “needs assessment” aims to identify the specific gaps in the value chain from seed selection to packaging that lead to the contamination of these vital commodities. The NEPC maintains that achieving “zero-rejection” could unlock hundreds of millions of dollars in additional non-oil revenue for the Nigerian economy.
Stakeholder reactions from the farming community in the North-West and North-East zones have been positive, with the “Sesame Farmers Association” praising the NEPC for bringing “world-class standards” to their doorsteps. Farmers have noted that the lack of information on “banned chemicals” has been their biggest hurdle, as they often use local pesticides that are prohibited in European markets. However, exporters have urged the Federal Government to also address the “logistics bottlenecks” at the ports, arguing that even compliant products can deteriorate while waiting for weeks to be shipped. They called for the establishment of “specialized testing laboratories” at the major export hubs to provide immediate certification and reduce the “cost of compliance” for small-scale exporters.
Agricultural and trade analysts observe that the “NEPC-ITC collaboration” is a vital step toward the “industrialization of the non-oil sector.” Experts suggest that for Nigeria to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other global trade agreements, its “quality infrastructure” must be at par with international standards. They argue that the “sesame and cowpea model” should be replicated for other commodities like cocoa, ginger, and cashew nuts. Analysts maintain that the “compliance culture” must start at the farm level, requiring a sustained effort by the Ministry of Agriculture to regulate the sale and use of agro-chemicals.
The broader implications of this engagement point toward a more “value-driven” agricultural sector that prioritizes “quality over quantity.” By focusing on global market compliance, Nigeria is positioning itself as a reliable supplier in the international food security chain. The initiative is also expected to improve the “income levels” of rural farmers, who can command higher prices for “certified and compliant” products. As the NEPC continues its training modules across the country, the focus remains on whether the “communication strategy” will reach the millions of smallholder farmers who form the bulk of the production. For the Nigerian economy, the success of this program is a critical component of the “diversification agenda” aimed at reducing the nation’s 70-year-old addiction to crude oil revenue.
