Economy
Nigerian Yams Not Rejected Abroad—Exporters
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The exporters of yam to the United Kingdom and the United States have disputed the reports, initially aired by the Africa Independent Television (AIT), purporting that the yams exported after the official flag-off ceremony on June 29, 2017 were rejected at their export destinations.
The symbolic event, done at the Lilypond Container Terminal in Lagos by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Audu Ogbeh, meant to boost the morale of Nigerian exporters and make a bold statement to the global marketplace, has drawn widespread criticisms on various media platforms.
A statement issued by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Mr Olukayode Oyeleye, stated that the concerned exporters and other prospective exporters have expressed worries about the potential impact of the negative publicity on their prospects at the export market in the wake of federal government’s initiative on diversification of the economy through agricultural produce export.
Most commentators and analysts in the mainstream and social media have retailed the negative aspect of the laudable initiative and have played up the wrong versions of the export story. Discussions with the exporters have since shown the prevailing storyline as inappropriate and misleading.
First, the exporters to the UK and US have emphatically said that their consignments were successfully cleared at the ports and delivered them to their various warehouses. They said, although some cases of tuber spoilage were reported in both cases, these were separated from the good ones, and the good ones were distributed to the buyers.
The exporters noted that Ghana, which has been exporting yams for a while, routinely records cases of spoilage, without making any public issues therefrom; and their yams don’t get rejected as a result.
Mr Michael Adedipe of ADES UK Foods and Drinks for the UK, whose warehouse was visited by AIT, has deplored the AIT report and other subsequent commentaries about rejection of his yams by the UK authorities.
Mr Adedipe has said emphatically that the consignment was not rejected; “It was cleared.”
According to Mr Adedipe, who confirmed that he spoke to AIT, “I’ve watched the (TV) programme which lasted for about two hours. All the positive stuff removed. We that decide to venture in this project are aware of the risks involved because, this fresh produce … we’ll expect five or 10 percent damages. I don’t know why they said the product got rejected. I’ve sent my release note. I’ve sent video of loading. I’ve sent every documentation to say that there is no issue like that at all.”
On the spoilage of yam, Mr Adedipe explained that “the failure has nothing to do with the Ministry of Agriculture, but the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). That’s where I see the failure.”
He expressed disgust at the mishandling of his comments by the AIT reporter, saying: “I told him, he is aware of it. He knew about the delay, I told him about all the consignment. He knew every single thing that happened. But what he did the most is to use all the negative stuff. We talked about other things. I told him how I came into the UK to go and fix our problem. All those were removed from the report.”
Mr Adedipe, who has vowed not to stop yam export business, disclosed that “the other mistake was the shipping line we used. But they were the ones that were available.”
According to him, in spite of the sour experience with media report, “I’m willing to invest. I still expect…at least to take a container from Nigeria every week.”
Managing Director of Wan Nyikwagh Farms Nigeria Limited, Mr Yandev Amaabai, has strongly disputed the yam rejection story and said it doesn’t even tally.
“The story from AIT was focused on the UK. So far, I am the only person who has lifted yam to the US. Whatever we can do to clarify this issue will be good. We learn as we progress. The whole idea that government brought was to diversify the economy.”
“My goods actually got to the US on September 7, 2017. The ship berthed on September 2, 2017, but, because of the flooding in Texas, we couldn’t discharge until the 7th. They were cleared from the Customs and brought to the warehouse on the 7th. Yams are perishable items and, definitely, some may go bad on the way. But, this statement that says the American government rejected Nigerian yams, where does it come from?
“Our yams were released to us and we took them to the stores. We sorted out our yams when they got there. We distributed them to the off-takers. So, where they got this story from, I don’t know. Nobody has ever called from anywhere, even in the US, to ask me question. If a few yams got rotten, and I am not complaining, why are people crying more than the owner? I have all the papers. The Customs cleared my goods on the other side. And these things went to my warehouse from where we distributed.”
If Ghana, which produces 4.8 million tonnes of yams, according to 2008 estimates, occupies a niche as the leading exporter of crop, accounting for over 94 percent of total yam exports in West Africa, Nigeria which is by far the world’s largest producer of yams, accounting for over 70 to 76 percent of the world production, producing 35.017 million metric tonnes valued equivalent of $5.654 billion by the 2008 estimates should do better than Ghana in the export market
Ghana is the first country in West Africa to launch its national yam development strategy in 2013. The country aims at US$5billion dollars of exports by 2018. Nigeria, which produces seven times Ghana’s production volume, is beset with criticisms over attempts to bring it to the global yam markets. About 90 per cent of Ghana’s yams are exported to the US, Canada, UK and elsewhere in Europe. There are more Nigerians than Ghanaians in these countries, meaning more prospects for Nigerian exporters.
Mr Ogbeh has said that Nigeria, the largest producer of yam in the world, is not anywhere near the capacity to export and remains so much a nation of consumers.
He stressed that “Nigeria must export” as the “country’s economy is increasing, and in ten years’ time, oil and gas is going to drop. Then we may have nothing to earn foreign exchange except we begin to diversify our export base now.”
With all these prospects in view, the Minister expressed surprise at the negative news trailing his effort at putting Nigeria on the global yam export market, saying “we’re not going to stop because this is not enough to demoralise us. We have food to export. Never mind what so-called critics are doing.”
“In the ministry of agriculture,” he said, “we are not exporters. The ministry does not export. We’re going to talk to the port authority on cooling vans for vegetables and fresh produce so that exporters don’t lose money and we don’t lose face. We should begin to build cold trucks that are temperature-controlled to keep the yams till the time they have to go. We should invest in special containers for their storage.”
“If other countries are doing it, we too can do it. We’re trying to take over the market. We’ve come to nearly 70 per cent of raw output of yams. Why can’t Nigerians in Texas, Canada, London and Germany have access to the yams?”
The Minister vowed that “we will go ahead with our efforts to export yam. We will not let this opportunity slip any further. We are determined to position our people to capture the investment opportunities and benefits in the yam export to these countries. We will fix the yam export value chain. We have the volume and the market.”
“We will emphasise global best practices, engage with world class experts and international organisations as well as leverage the strength in indigenous knowledge. We will support investment in relevant infrastructure and facilities.
“We will revive the abandoned yam conditioning centres in Ekiti and Nassarawa states while we encourage the construction of new ones with appropriate equipment to boost storage and export prospects. We appeal to Nigerians, in the spirit of patriotism, to see the silver lining around the cloud of the week of misinformation about yam export.
“We have commenced engagement with the National Assembly for the repeal of the 1989 law that prohibits export of yams and other agro-commodities.
“Currently, the bill has passed the second reading at the National Assembly. The continued existence of this law is an obstruction against the economic diversification and export initiative of this administration. We plead with the National Assembly to fast-track the repeal of the law and help us further unlock our export potential,” he said.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Champion Breweries Plc has released its first consolidated financial results as an expanded organisation following its recent strategic expansion.
The company transitioned to a group structure after the acquisition of an 80 per cent equity interest in enJOYbev BV, whose performance is now consolidated into the group accounts for the first time.
In the results for the first quarter of 2026 released to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, Champion Breweries posted a revenue of N14.36 billion, representing a strong increase compared to the prior year, driven by the consolidation of its newly acquired subsidiary.
Operating performance remained resilient, with operating profit rising to approximately N3.02 billion at the group level, reflecting continued discipline in cost management and operational efficiency.
Despite a softer consumer environment and lower volumes in the core domestic market, the company maintained a solid gross profit margin of 48 per cent, supported by improved cost efficiencies and disciplined commercial execution, underscoring the strength of its underlying business fundamentals.
This strategic expansion has already begun to contribute positively to earnings, with the subsidiary delivering operating profitability within the reporting period. While the company recorded a net loss at the standalone level, primarily driven by financing costs associated with its recent strategic investments, group-level profitability remained positive, with profit after tax of approximately N881 million, reflecting the early benefits of diversification and the strengthening of the brewer’s earnings base through its expanded portfolio.
Importantly, the firm continues to generate finance income from invested funds, reflecting prudent treasury management and supporting overall liquidity. This provides additional stability as the group advances its strategic initiatives.
Looking ahead, Champion Breweries says it remains confident in its outlook, noting that with the group structure now in place, improved earnings contributions from its expanded operations, and a clear focus on market execution, it expects a progressively stronger performance trajectory in the coming quarters.
Management reiterated its commitment to delivering sustainable value to shareholders, strengthening market positioning, and navigating prevailing economic conditions with discipline and resilience.
Nigeria’s trading environment has changed sharply since the Central Bank of Nigeria pushed rates to 27.5%, and the impact is being felt across the currency market. A rate that high does more than tighten financial conditions. It changes how traders read momentum, how they manage risk, and how they think about the naira against the dollar. Reuters reported that the CBN raised the policy rate to 27.50% in November 2024 after a string of hikes, and later kept it there as inflation and exchange rate pressures remained central concerns.
For anyone active in Nigeria’s currency space, forex trading now requires a very different mindset. What worked in a looser money environment does not always work when rates stay this high. Liquidity behaves differently, sentiment shifts faster, and market participants become much more sensitive to inflation data, policy guidance, and reserve trends. Reuters also reported that the CBN has tied its tight stance to the need to control inflation and stabilize the market, while reforms have improved reserves and confidence in the foreign exchange system.
Why a 27.5% rate changes the market mood
A rate this high affects more than borrowing costs. It resets expectations. Traders start looking at the naira through a different lens because such an aggressive stance tells the market that policymakers are serious about defending stability, even if growth conditions become tougher. In Lagos and Abuja, where many traders track both official policy signals and real market pricing, that shift has become impossible to ignore.
Higher rates reshape risk appetite
When rates rise to this level, speculative behavior often becomes more cautious. Some traders reduce position sizes. Others stop chasing moves and wait for stronger confirmation before entering. Why does that happen? Because a tight policy environment tends to punish weak conviction and reward discipline.
There is also a psychological effect. A market with a 27.5% policy rate feels heavier. It is like driving on a road where every turn demands more care than before. That change in mood forces traders to become more selective, especially in a country like Nigeria where inflation and currency sentiment still move together closely. Reuters said inflation eased after a statistical rebase, but the central bank still held rates high because broader pressure had not disappeared.
The naira story is no longer just about panic
Nigeria’s currency narrative has also become more layered. Earlier fears were largely about shortages and disorder, but now traders are also watching reforms, reserves, and policy credibility. Reuters reported that net foreign exchange reserves rose strongly in 2025 and that the CBN said clearer rules and reforms had reduced distortions and volatility.
That matters because strategy changes when the market starts trusting policy a little more. Traders can no longer rely only on the old playbook of assuming one direction and staying there.
How trading strategies are being reset
The biggest reset is in time horizon. In a market shaped by tight policy, many traders become less comfortable with broad, lazy positioning. They look for cleaner setups and faster reactions instead. A currency market under heavy policy influence often rewards timing more than stubborn conviction.
Shorter setups are becoming more practical
Many Nigeria focused traders now pay closer attention to event driven opportunities. Central bank comments, inflation releases, reserve updates, and reform announcements matter more than they used to. Reuters reported in March 2026 that the CBN eased some foreign exchange rules for oil companies to improve market liquidity and confidence, another sign that policy decisions are still actively shaping the currency landscape.
That makes short and medium term strategy more relevant. You might see a naira move that looks technical on the surface, but underneath it is often responding to policy changes, liquidity shifts, or fresh confidence in reserves. In Nigeria, the chart and the macro story now feel more connected than before.
Risk management matters more than prediction
This is where serious traders separate themselves from hopeful ones. A high rate environment does not just reward the right view. It rewards survival. Traders in Port Harcourt or Lagos who stay too attached to a single bias can get caught when policy or liquidity changes suddenly alter the mood.
I have seen markets like this before. They look calm until they do not. Then the move comes fast. That is why many traders are adjusting stop placement, reducing leverage, and focusing more on capital protection than on chasing every opportunity.
The reset, in other words, is not only strategic. It is behavioral.
Why Nigeria’s market may keep evolving
The CBN’s policy stance has already pushed traders to adapt, but the story is still developing. Reuters reported in April 2025 that the central bank sold nearly $200 million to support the naira after tariff related market shocks, showing that officials remain willing to act when volatility becomes disruptive. Reuters also reported this month that the naira had been relatively stable, supported by dollar liquidity from bond investments and exporter repatriations.
Stability can create a different kind of opportunity
A more orderly market does not mean fewer opportunities. It means different ones. Instead of trading pure panic, participants may increasingly trade around policy credibility, flow trends, and relative stability. For Nigeria, that could mark an important shift.
That is why the 27.5% rate matters so much. It has forced traders to stop relying on old assumptions and start working with a market that is slowly becoming more policy driven, more selective, and in some ways more professional.
Conclusion
The CBN’s 27.5% policy rate is forcing a major reset because it changes how traders approach risk, timing, and market structure in Nigeria. High rates, stronger reserves, and ongoing reforms have made the naira story more complex than it was before, and that means strategy has to evolve as well.
For traders in Nigeria, the message is clear. This is no longer a market where old habits are enough. Tight policy has raised the standard, and the traders who adjust their methods are more likely to stay effective as the next phase of the currency story unfolds.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange weakened by 0.22 per cent on Tuesday, April 28, with the market capitalisation down by N4.8 billion to N2.420 trillion from N2.425 trillion, and the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) down by 9.01 points to 4,044.96 points from 4,053.97 points.
During the session, the price of Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc went down by N1.82 to N767.05 per share from N78.87 per share, while FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc appreciated by N1.90 to N100.00 per unit from N98.10 per unit.
According to data, the value of trades increased by 265.7 per cent to N27.1 million from N7.4 million units, and the volume of transactions surged by 305.2 per cent to 1.3 million units from 319,831 units, while the number of deals decreased by 6.9 per cent to 27 deals from 29 deals.
Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) Plc remained the most traded stock by value on a year-to-date basis, with the sale of 3.4 billion units valued at N8.4 billion, followed by CSCS Plc with 59.8 million units exchanged for N4.0 billion, and Okitipupa Plc with 27.8 million units traded for N1.9 billion.
GNI Plc also finished as the most traded stock by volume on a year-to-date basis, with a turnover of 3.4 billion units worth N8.4 billion, trailed by Resourcery Plc with 1.1 billion units transacted for N415.7 million, and Infrastructure Guarantee Credit Plc with 400 million units sold for N1.2 billion.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism10 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn