FOREWORD BY THE CEO
I want to welcome you to this first issue of the Export Brief, a quarterly
publication of IEOM.
The Institute was conceived to be a leading provider of export training and
information on global best practices; and to help Nigerian exporters access the
world market and get the most value from their export operations.
In this regard, we have worked assiduously with other institutions, organizations
(both governmental and non-governmental) and individuals to ensure that we put
our best feet forward.
MR. OFON UDOFIA
CEO/EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
IEOM
We have a passion for what we do and it comes through in the work we do,
whether it is training, or consulting or mentoring, or connecting the market.
The institute is only four (4) years old this year, relatively young by most standards
but in that time, we have made a lot of strides of which we are proud. We are
building a membership base that seeks to pull together serious minds in the
business community; we also offer training programs that cover key aspects of
business and specifically, international business.
Our stated aim is to be the training partner of choice for export-related business in
Nigeria, and that is why we partner with reputable institutions, international
organizations, government agencies and the private sector. Our training goes
beyond classroom-based discussions and our reach cuts across industry sectors.
This publication was conceived as a platform to engage not just our members, but
also stakeholders in the export sector; and the wider business community.
In this launch edition, we are looking at the Agriculture sector and agri-business in
Nigeria. You’ll find insightful ideas, thoughts and perspectives and we hope you’ll
get a feel for what is possible in the agricultural sector and within the context of
international trade.
We hope to make a strong case for agribusiness as a path to reducing
unemployment in Nigeria which has reached critical levels and become a threat to
national security.
To keen observers of the economic trajectory of not just Nigeria, but African
nations in general, two things are clear: (1) Agriculture is the new crude oil; and (2)
Agribusiness is the future of Nigeria’s economy.
This maiden edition (Volume 1, Number 2) is published in second quarter, 2018 and
the next edition will be published in September. In subsequent editions, we will be
introducing members of our editorial board, the full editorial team and
contributors. I hope you enjoy reading it and we will appreciate your feedback.
2 The Export Brief | MAY 2018 | IEOM-NG.ORG