IN recognition of its outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s economy, the British American Tobacco (BAT) Nigeria was honoured as one of the country’s top-performing non-oil exporters at a prestigious event hosted by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) in Lagos, recently.
The event, which brought together prominent leading players in the non-oil export sector, served as a platform to celebrate their roles in fostering economic growth and diversifying the nation’s revenue streams. Among the distinguished guests were Doris NkirukaUzoka-Anite, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mrs. NonyeAyeni, Executive Director and CEO of NEPC, and Mr. IfeanyiOkeke, Director-General of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
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.
BAT Nigeria’s contributions to the economy are both extensive and impactful. The company has invested over $185 million in its state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Ibadan, Oyo State, ensuring world-class production capacity and exporting to 13 West African countries including the USA.
BAT Nigeria also generates approximately $110 million annually in foreign exchange through exports, supporting Nigeria’s balance of trade.
Speaking on behalf of the company, OdiriErewa-Meggison, FCIS, External Affairs Director, BAT West and Central Africa, expressed her gratitude for the government’s recognition and reiterated the importance of sustained collaboration between exporters and regulatory bodies.
“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 – exporters is a positive step towards identifying the bottlenecks we face and finding actionable solutions,” she remarked.
She also stressed the critical need for enhanced government support, particularly regarding Export Expansion Grants (EEGs), which she identified as a key incentive for exporters to remain competitive globally.
“To compete effectively on the global stage, exporters need robust incentives. Without such commendable initiatives and incentives like the Export Expansion Grants (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.
She further emphasised the importance of exporters having unrestricted access to their proceeds. “For exporters to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves, access to export proceeds shouldbe seamless. A stronger partnership between the government and exporters is necessary to unlock opportunities, create jobs, and spur economic growth.”
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.
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