eISSN: 3023-3267 editor@aimjournals.com
All Journals
Submit your article

Critique Open Research & Review

Open Access Peer Review International
Open Access

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council and Non-Oil Trade Outcomes: An Empirical Analysis

DOI https://doi.org/10.55640/corr-v04i06-01
PDF
Gideon Ogonna Ibeakuzie 1 , Adaeze Janice Erondu 1 , Celestine Emeka 1 ORCID iD , Kennedy Oberhiri Obohwemu 1 ORCID iD , Fidelis Evwiekpamare Olori 1 , Taiwo Akinyemi Ayedun 1 , Oluwaseun Bukola Adetiba 1 , Olusola Sam-Sorungbe 1 ORCID iD ,
4 MIR, Department of Political Science, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria; and PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom; Department of Interdisciplinary Research and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
4 MIR, Department of Political Science, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria; and PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom; Department of Interdisciplinary Research and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
4 MIR, Department of Political Science, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria; and PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom; Department of Interdisciplinary Research and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
4 PhD, Department of Interdisciplinary Research and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
4 PhD, Faculty of Business Management, Global Banking School, Oxford Brookes University Partnership, Birmingham, United Kingdom; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
4 PhD, Department of Entrepreneurship, School of Logistics and Innovation, Federal University of Technology, Akure; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom
4 PhD , Department of Accounting and Finance, Global Banking School, Christ Canterbury Church University Partnership, Birmingham, United Kingdom; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom
4 PhD (in progress), Department of Business Management, London School of Science and Technology, Birmingham, United Kingdom; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.

Abstract

Export diversification remains central to economic resilience in resource-dependent economies. Nigeria’s persistent reliance on crude oil exports, which account for over 90% of export earnings, has raised sustained concerns regarding structural imbalance and vulnerability to external shocks. This study examines the institutional role of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) in promoting non-oil exports and evaluates whether its programmes are significantly associated with export promotion outcomes. Drawing on primary data collected from 104 staff members of NEPC and analysed using chi-square statistical techniques, the findings indicate a statistically significant relationship between NEPC programmes and export promotion. Despite evidence of institutional relevance, the growth trajectory of non-oil exports remains modest relative to oil exports. Constraints including inadequate funding, insufficient ICT infrastructure, and policy instability continue to limit effectiveness. The paper contributes to research on export-led development by situating export promotion within an institutional systems framework and by providing empirical insight into the operational dynamics of Nigeria’s apex export agency.

Keywords

Export promotion, non-oil exports, institutional capacity, Nigeria, export diversification, systems theory

References

African Development Bank. (2021). African economic outlook 2021: From debt resolution to growth. African Development Bank Group. Available at: https://www.afdb.org/en/documents/african-economic-outlook-2021, (Accessed: 16 February 2024)
Ahmed, F. U., & Brennan, L. (2019). An institution-based view of firms’ early internationalization: Effectiveness of national export promotion policies. International Marketing Review, 36(6), 911-954.
Aragòn-Correa, J. A., Marcus, A. A., & Vogel, D. (2020). The effects of mandatory and voluntary regulatory pressures on firms’ environmental strategies: A review and recommendations for future research. Academy of Management Annals, 14(1), 339-365.
Boso, N., Adeola, O., Danso, A., & Assadinia, S. (2019). The effect of export marketing capabilities on export performance: Moderating role of dysfunctional competition. Industrial Marketing Management, 78, 137-145.
Bryman, A. (2016). Social research methods (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Catanzaro, A., & Teyssier, C. (2021). Export promotion programs, export capabilities, and risk management practices of internationalized SMEs. Small Business Economics, 57(3), 1479-1503.
Chacha, P. W., & Edwards, L. (2019). Exporting to fragile states in Africa: Firm‐level evidence. Review of Development Economics, 23(3), 1177-1201.
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). Sage.
Delechat, M. C. C., Melina, M. G., Newiak, M. M., Papageorgiou, M. C., & Spatafora, M. N. (2024). Economic diversification in developing countries: Lessons from country experiences with broad-based and industrial policies. International Monetary Fund.
Denzin, N. K. (2017). The research act: A theoretical introduction to sociological methods. Routledge.
Dollar, D., & Kraay, A. (2003). Institutions, trade, and growth. Journal of Monetary Economics, 50(1), 133–162. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-3932(02)00206-4
Field, A. (2024). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics (6th ed.). Sage publications limited.
Flick, U. (2022). An introduction to qualitative research (6th ed.). Sage.
Gatto, L., Nasta, L., & Pirolo, L. (2024). Developing a conceptual framework for medium-sized enterprise internationalization: an incremental and circular process-oriented approach to effective export management. Piccola Impresa, (3), 107-132.
Hassan, A. O. P., Akintola, M. A., & Hassan, H. B. (2024). Benchmarking public service delivery in Sub-Saharan Africa: A critical evaluation. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 8(7), 2248-2258.
IMF. (2024). Economic diversification in developing countries: Lessons from country experiences with broad based and industrial policies. International Monetary Fund. Available at: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/departmental-papers-policy-papers/issues/2024/07/20/economic-diversification-in-developing-countries-lessons-from-country-experiences-with-532135, (Accessed: 02 January 2025)
Konte, M., & Ndubuisi, G. (2021). Financial constraint, trust, and export performances: firm-level evidence from Africa. Journal of Institutional Economics, 17(4), 583-605.
Krammer, S. M., Strange, R., & Lashitew, A. (2018). The export performance of emerging economy firms: The influence of firm capabilities and institutional environments. International Business Review, 27(1), 218-230.
Malca, O., Peña-Vinces, J., & Acedo, F. J. (2020). Export promotion programmes as export performance catalysts for SMEs: insights from an emerging economy. Small Business Economics, 55(3), 831-851.
Melese, E., & Kumar, A. (2025). Role of government-sponsored export promotion programs in marketing strategy, market selection and export performance. African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, 1-17.
Moodley, A., Ackers, B., & Odendaal, E. (2022). Factors inhibiting effective organisational performance management: insights from the South African public sector. International Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Performance Evaluation, 18(1), 1-27.
Mpaayei, J. K., & Sigei, R. K. (2025). Strategic Merger Practices and Operational Efficiency of Aviation Industry In Kenya. International Journal of Management and Business Research, 7(1), 600-619.
Njinyah, S. Z. (2018). The effectiveness of government policies for export promotion on the export performance of SMEs Cocoa exporters in Cameroon. International Marketing Review, 35(1), 164-185.
North, D. C. (1990). Institutions, institutional change and economic performance. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511808678
Pallant, J. (2020). SPSS survival manual: A step by step guide to data analysis using IBM SPSS. Routledge.
Rodrik, D. (2017). Straight talk on trade: Ideas for a sane world economy. Princeton University Press.
Ruzekova, V., Kittova, Z., & Steinhauser, D. (2020). Export performance as a measurement of competitiveness. Journal of Competitiveness, 12(1), 145.
Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2019). Research methods for business students (8th ed.). Pearson. https://www.pearson.com/se/Nordics-Higher-Education/subject-catalogue/business-and-management/Research-methods-for-business-students-8e-saunders.html
Suwannarat, P. (2023). The moderating role of trust in influencing the effectiveness of export incentives of exporters in the ASEAN. Journal of Asia Business Studies, 17(2), 279-307.
UNCTAD. (2023). Trade and development report 2023. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Available at: https://unctad.org/publication/trade-and-development-report-2023, (Accessed: 21 August 2024)
UNCTAD. (2025). Strategic diversification for commodity dependent developing countries. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Available at: https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/c1mem2d65_en.pdf, (Accessed: 21 December 2025)
World Bank. (2022). Nigeria development update: From Policy to People: Bringing the Reform Gains Home. World Bank Group. Available at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/nigeria/publication/nigeria-development-update-ndu, (Accessed: 29 November 2025)

Most read articles by the same author(s)

Similar Articles

1-10 of 23

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.