The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has launched a fresh drive to increase Kwara State’s non-oil exports by developing export clusters focused on cashew, sesame seeds and soya beans. The initiative aims to improve production, attract investment and strengthen the state’s position in international markets.
The plan was discussed during a stakeholders’ meeting on Export Cluster Development in Ilorin, where government officials, farmers, exporters and private sector representatives explored ways to unlock Kwara’s agricultural potential.
The NEPC Kwara State Coordinator, Mr. Olu Ikulajolu, said soya beans and cashew remain key commodities under the One State One Product (OSOP) programme. He explained that sesame seeds were added after recent research showed increased production and growing export-related investments in the state.
Ikulajolu revealed that Nigeria recorded about $6.1 billion in non-oil export earnings in 2025, while Kwara contributed only around $58 million. He said the state’s performance remains below its capacity due to challenges such as limited aggregation centres and weak systems for collecting export data.
The export clusters initiative is designed to address these gaps by creating organised production and supply networks that can improve competitiveness and increase export opportunities.
The Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also welcomed the programme. Represented by Mallam Idris Mohammed, Permanent Secretary Mrs. Foluke Shokoya highlighted the state’s strong potential in sesame production but noted that many buyers currently come from outside Kwara. She called for more local involvement across the value chain.
Stakeholders recommended collection centres near major towns, better support for farmers, improved access to land, mechanisation and stronger training programmes. Dr. Popoola O. Peter of ARMTI stressed that supporting farming communities would be essential for sustainable growth.
The Kwara Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KWACCIMA) and farmer groups also pledged support for the initiative. They called for better access to certified seeds, reliable buyers, farmer training and stronger partnerships.
With collective action, stakeholders believe the export clusters initiative can create jobs, increase agricultural investment and raise Kwara’s contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil export sector.
Can this export cluster strategy become a model for other Nigerian states seeking to grow their agricultural economy?
