Nigeria’s delegation to the 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has engaged the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in discussions aimed at enhancing collaboration in the digital and marine economies.
Addressing journalists at the WTO headquarters after a courtesy visit to WTO Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Akpabio highlighted Nigeria’s interest in exploring areas of partnership with the global body across various sectors for the benefit of Nigerians.
During the visit, discussions covered issues affecting trade in Nigeria, legislative measures to remove barriers, regulations concerning digital economic contents, and combating illegal fishing along coastal states. Additionally, opportunities for Nigerian women to benefit from WTO-funded programs were explored, along with the establishment of a digital trade portal to facilitate access to trade information.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, echoed the delegation’s optimism, emphasizing the potential for Africa, and Nigeria in particular, to thrive in business and trade through collaboration with the WTO.
WTO Director-General Okonjo-Iweala expressed gratitude for the visit and discussed initiatives that could make a significant difference for Nigerians, including programs aimed at improving sanitary standards for crops and addressing challenges in fisheries and illegal mining.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content, advocated for export opportunities for Nigeria under initiatives like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). She emphasized the importance of leveraging these opportunities to boost non-oil exports and address foreign exchange shortages.
The AGOA initiative, established in 2000, offers African nations favourable terms for exporting various products to the United States, promoting economic development and trade on the continent. While Nigeria was absent from the list of top non-oil AGOA exporters in 2022, the country aims to capitalize on these opportunities under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.
WTO Director-General Okonjo-Iweala commended Senator Natasha for her contributions and pledged to consider her recommendations, emphasizing readiness to collaborate with Nigeria to advance trade and commerce objectives.
The discussions underscore Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging international partnerships to drive economic growth and diversification, particularly in key sectors such as digital technology and marine resources.
