Senate Implores Okonjo-iweala To Help Facilitate Nigeria’s Access To Global Market

Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Local Content, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, seeked the help of the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in facilitating access to global markets for Nigerian businesses to boost economic growth and diversification.

This was disclosed by her at the ongoing 148th assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) held at the International Conference Centre, Geneva, Switzerland.

The senator, who said she has been a strong advocate of export opportunities for Nigeria, expressed her desire to see Nigeria take advantage of the huge opportunities that the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI) offer.

She said, “It is my earnest expectation to see Nigeria take advantage of these export opportunities through your support and by working closely with my office as the chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content."

While speaking, Okonjo-Iweala boss applauded Akpoti-Uduaghan for her valuable contributions and promised to look into her recommendations. She also expressed her readiness to collaborate with the senator for the greater good of Nigeria, especially in trade and commerce.

AGOA, a U.S. trade initiative established in 2000, allows African nations to export various products, especially non-oil goods, to the United States on favourable terms, thereby promoting economic development and trade on the continent. It has been a crucial lifeline for many African economies, offering opportunities to access the vast American market.