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By M. Peter – Jos
Lack of market access has been identified as one of the greatest constraints to small holder producers in Nigeria and other third world countries, hence the need to adopt evolving business models and technology in driving access in export processes.
The Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Export Promotion Council, NEPC, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo who identified old and crude market penetration strategies as hindrances to the realization of Nigeria’s zero oil economic plan initiative, urged business owners and other stakeholders in the export processes to embrace digital marketing as a solution to the problem of low productivity and slow growth.
Awolowo, at a workshop for stakeholders in Jos noted that embracing technology would enable the country realize its ambition to attain zero oil economic plans.
According to him, “One of the major strategic functions of the NEPC is to ensure that Nigeria exporters penetrate international market sustainably. The old and crude market penetration strategies are fast waning, giving way to technologically driven strategies. Except we key into the modern day technology, the zero oil plan initiative ambition of the country may not be realizable.”
“You will realize that even some inconceivable products such as currencies are now traded electronically. It follows that within a short time, digital marketing could upstage physical market place. Hence, the urgent need for Nigerian business concerns to acquire appropriate skills that would make them to be visible globally.”
Awolowo, represented by the North Central Regional Coordinator of NEPC, Dr Ezra Yakusak told the participants that the agency had created the Youth Export Development Programme to provide a special platform for the Nigerian youths to enable them seamlessly participate in non oil export business.
According to him, the programme will be launched in the first quarter of 2020 assuring that NEPC will continue to partner with both private and public initiatives in the promotion of non oil sector in the country.
Earlier, Head of Product and Market of the NEPC in the region Mr Otega Adulugba said that the aim of the workshop with the theme, “understanding the role of online/ digital marketing and services in modern business” was aimed at exposing the participants to the opportunities that abound for exporters by harnessing the use of technology as well as increase their awareness in non oil export trade.
