The Federal Government has kicked off a nationwide sensitisation programme aimed at connecting Nigerian businesses with trade opportunities under the Economic Community of West African States and the African Continental Free Trade Area. The initiative started in Bauchi with workshops targeting entrepreneurs, business owners and chambers of commerce across the North East region.
Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, explained the programme’s purpose at the opening session. It’s designed to bring foreign policy benefits directly to grassroots businesses. The workshop, themed ‘Increasing Intra-Regional Trade through ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme,’ forms part of the government’s 4D foreign policy agenda that places citizens at the heart of international relations.
Will this actually translate to more business for struggling entrepreneurs? That’s the question on many minds as the programme rolls out across all six geopolitical zones. The minister emphasized increasing production, adding value to local products and creating jobs, particularly for young Nigerians who make up a significant portion of the unemployed population.
On the economic front, Enikanolaiye cited President Bola Tinubu’s reforms as drivers of greater ility. He noted that inflation is declining gradually while foreign reserves are approaching the $40 billion mark. Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed, represented by his Deputy Governor Auwal Jatau, pledged state support for the initiative.
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