Business
Invest in the Value Chain of Your Passion, NEXIM Boss Urges Nigerian Youth and Women
By Joel Ajayi
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Abubakar Abba Bello, has called on Nigerian youth and women to pursue investment opportunities that align with their passions particularly within the non-oil value chains.
Mr. Bello made this call on Tuesday during an impactful session organized by the Youth Wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Dr. Dayo Israel. The event was part of an ongoing initiative designed to foster direct engagement between policymakers and citizens under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with the aim of strengthening national development.
The interactive session focused on educating young Nigerians, especially women, about the vast financing and entrepreneurial opportunities available within Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operating in Nigeria’s non-oil sectors. Bello emphasized that greater youth participation in these sectors is critical for sustainable economic growth and long-term national prosperity.
“True success in business often comes when people invest in areas they are genuinely passionate about,” Bello noted. “Whether it’s agribusiness, services, the creative industry, or solid minerals—there is room for growth. NEXIM has a strong presence and offers support across all these value chains.”
He urged young people to channel their energy, creativity, and innovation into ventures that not only align with their interests but also contribute to national export development.
“What I want to appeal to the youth to do—and what I strongly encourage—is to invest where your heart is. Whether that’s in agriculture, processing, or the creative industries, you’re more likely to succeed when you’re passionate about what you do,” he said.
Bello highlighted the immense untapped potential within non-oil sectors and reaffirmed their importance in Nigeria’s ongoing economic diversification strategy.
“In all these value chains, Nigeria is yet to reach its full potential. But I believe the energy, intelligence, and creativity of our youth can make a significant difference. When young people engage in export-oriented ventures, the impact can be transformative.”
He also commended the APC Youth Wing for launching initiatives that encourage youth engagement in the export space, describing their efforts as both timely and strategic.
In his remarks, Dr. Dayo Israel, the APC National Youth Leader, reiterated his commitment to bridging the gap between citizens and government.
He explained that the initiative was born out of concerns from young Nigerians and women who often feel disconnected from policy-making processes.
“Many of our citizens, especially youth and women, have expressed frustration over limited access to policymakers. That’s why we launched this programme—to bring citizens and government representatives together for meaningful engagement,” Dr. Israel stated.
He further assured that he would “leave no stone unturned” in ensuring that the voices and needs of Nigerian youth are heard and addressed across all sectors of the economy
Business
NEXIM Bank Secures Bbb+ Rating from Agusto & Co., Declares ₦30.47 Billion Operating Profit
By Joel Ajayi
The Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) has been assigned a Bbb+ rating by leading credit rating agency Agusto & Co. Limited, affirming its satisfactory financial condition and strong capacity to meet obligations relative to other development finance institutions (DFIs) in Nigeria.
For the year ended 2024, NEXIM Bank reported an operating profit of ₦30.47 billion, more than double the ₦13.75 billion recorded in the previous year. This remarkable growth underscores the Bank’s financial resilience and operational efficiency.
Established to promote Nigeria’s non-oil exports and support import-substituting businesses, NEXIM is fully owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria through equal shareholding by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI).
The Bank has sustained strong liquidity and capital adequacy ratios, alongside notable growth in its loan book and equity investments. Key sectors supported include manufacturing, agriculture, solid minerals, and services.
According to Managing Director, Mr. Abba Bello, NEXIM has intensified its intervention in the non-oil export sector, disbursing over ₦495 billion and facilitating the creation and sustenance of more than 36,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Among the Bank’s key initiatives are:The Regional Sealink Project: A public-private partnership designed to improve maritime logistics across West and Central Africa. Promotion of Factoring Services: Offering alternative export financing solutions for SMEs. And Joint Project Preparation Fund (JPPF): Implemented in partnership with Afreximbank to enhance the bankability of export projects.
Additionally, NEXIM is developing tailored financing schemes for the mining sector, including Contract Mining, Equipment Leasing, and Buyers’ Credit/ECA Financing, aimed at unlocking export potential and boosting foreign exchange earnings.
With its renewed drive, NEXIM Bank remains committed to building local processing capacity, advancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in global trade, and strengthening non-oil export revenues by moving up the commodity value chain.
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