Mr Shola Oworu, the Chief Executive Officer, AFRITEX, on Wednesday said that service exports, in a matter of years, would be bigger than the oil export in Nigeria.
Oworu said this on the sidelines of the Nigeria Export Summit and Awards 2019.
The theme of the event was “Digital Era Business on the Move: Export in the Fast Lane”.
The event, which was organised by AFRITEX, was aimed at encouraging export and sensitising Nigerians on it.
Oworu also said that the programme was aimed at encouraging Nigerians to invest more in service export, which he said was the next big thing to happen to the Nigerian economy.
“We have enough resources to go round and we are yet to realise one per cent of our potential as a nation.
“If we really focus on service export, we will forget about oil exports, because that is the next big thing to happen in Nigeria. The developing countries are the ones that have benefited from this most.
“Countries such as China have Ali Baba and other export lines on internet and they are making it big from such IT applications for export,’’ he said.
Owuru said that ICT support exports could fetch the country more revenue than oil, and is more convenient and rewarding.
“ICT export is a model which allows the exporter to interface with their customers without physical contact. Exporters can now send their products abroad and earn good returns.
“We are talking about exports online where investors can look for customers, book online and cash in without necessarily meeting in camera.
“Nowadays, ICT is here to help us achieve all what we want to achieve, and if all hands can be on deck, Nigerians will soon forget about investment in oil export.
“We need the support of all to get more people involved in service exports because it is easy and convenient; above all, a money spinning venture,’’ he said.
