NPNEN Set To Inaugurate Its BoT On 15th September, 2020

The Network of Practicing Non-oil Exporters of Nigeria (NPNEN,) is set to inaugurate its Board of Trustees on Tuesday 15th September 2020. The Network, which was launched sometime in March 2020 at Eko Hotels and Suites, VI, Lagos, no doubt created a surge of excitement across a wide range of stakeholders as the keynote speaker, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo described NPNEN as “a powerful advocacy group that will help NEPC itself to present a practitioner’s perspective to government on what we should be doing to help increase exports from all over Nigeria”. 

Since its launch, the network has been relentless in its advocacy for the creation of a business-friendly environment in which MSMEs in the non-oil export sector can thrive and grow. Through its steering committee, NPNEN has also been designing and laying the foundation for an inclusive hub of interconnected players in the non-oil export sector, mutually committed to leading advocacy for the creation of an enabling environment for non-oil export trade. 

According to  ‘Femi Boyede, a member of the Board of Trustees, “NPNEN will leverage on the diversity of its membership  and full representation from every segment of the non-oil export value-chain to periodically provide the relevant agencies of Government with research and evidence-based inputs into the development of virile policies and programs to foster the nation's export performance.  We are thankful to PDF-bridge for bequeathing this all-important umbrella body to Nigeria's non-oil export sector. 

Members of the Board of Trustees set to be inaugurated on Tuesday 15th September 2020 include:

1. Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, former Minister of Labour and Productivity/Minister of State, Defense/President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry

2. Aisha Abubakar, former Minister of Women Affairs & Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment

3. Dr Mrs Omolara Akanji, former Director, Trade and Exchange, Central Bank of Nigeria

4. Ede Dafinone, Chairman, Export Group, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria

5. Prince Ajibola Oluyede, Chairman NICERT Limited 

6. Alhaji Sada Ladan Baki, Group Executive Director, Dangote 

7. Bamidele Ayemibo, Managing Consultant, 3TImpex Nigeria Limited

8. Aisha Baffa, Coordinator, Network of Kano Women Innovators, CEO Rodea Energy Resources

9. Sam Hart, Director General, Abia State Marketing and Quality Management Agency 

10. Olufemi Boyede, a Certified International Trade Professional and President, Nigeria Trade and Investment Centre, Canada

Following this inauguration, the various stakeholders in the non-oil space including Government agencies, Captains of industries, MSMEs, Trade Associations and a host of other players and stakeholders are expectant for NPNEN to fully commence its operations. According to Titilope Ojo, PDF-Bridge Exporters Voices Lead, “The operationalization of NPNEN will no doubt birth policies and create a conducive environment that will be beneficial to all members of the Association and Nigeria as a whole”..

The objectives of NPNEN include:

• To serve as a platform for continuous dialogue and cooperation among the actors in the non-oil export value chain.

• To regularly research and deliver to Government, evidence-based suggestions towards improving Nigeria’s export performance, since advocacy has become a strategic imperative.

• To provide members with up-to-date market information and technical assistance on export processes and procedures.

• To encourage joint export initiatives among members.

• To advocate for the interest of members in government policies and trade.

NPNEN is a not-for-profit organization registered under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), as an Incorporated Trustee. It is an umbrella platform for collaboration among the different actors in Nigeria's non-oil export value-chain as well as a vehicle to jointly pursue the common interest of creating an enabling and globally competitive non-export trading ecosystem.

Its membership cuts across Manufacturer-exporters; Agro-commodities exporters;

Services exporters; Women in exports; Logistics Companies; Produce Aggregators; Financial Institutions; Private Certification Bodies; Trade Support Public and Private Institutions, etc.