FG Reforms Trade Negotiation Framework To Strengthen Nigeria’s Economic Interests
The Federal Government has reformed Nigeria’s trade negotiation framework to strengthen coordination, improve evidence-based decision-making and ensure better representation of the country’s economic interests in international trade negotiations.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, announced the establishment of the reformed Nigeria Trade Negotiation Architecture during a stakeholder engagement attended by representatives of government agencies, the organised private sector, labour, academia and research institutions.
Oduwole said Nigeria must approach every trade negotiation with a clear understanding of its national interests, backed by strong evidence, coordinated institutions and clearly defined responsibilities.
She said trade policy under the Renewed Hope Agenda must support industrial growth, non-oil exports, competitiveness and job creation.
According to the minister, the new framework builds on the former Enlarged National Focal Point on Trade Matters, while addressing challenges including delays in decision-making, overlapping responsibilities, inconsistent technical representation and gaps in institutional memory.
Under the reformed architecture, the Director of the Trade Department will chair the body, while the Trade Department and the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations will serve as co-technical leads.
The Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations will also serve as the secretariat.
The framework provides for monthly briefings on the status of Nigeria’s trade negotiations and quarterly stakeholder engagements involving government, businesses, labour, academia and other stakeholders.
The engagements are expected to provide a structured platform for reviewing developments and contributing to Nigeria’s negotiating positions.
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