Immediate past president of Lagos Chamber of Commerce Industry (LCCI), Mrs. Toki Mabogunje, a Professor of Entrepreneurship and Management, Mrs. Olajumoke Familoni, Prof. Olusola Aliu and experts from Landmark University, yesterday, sought government’s intervention for free access to foreign markets.

They made the appeal at a two-day business summit organised by the Innovation Centre for Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development (ICLED), with the theme, “Renewing MSMES in Nigeria for the Digital Era” in Lagos.

The participants expressed concerns over the challenges associated with exporting Nigerian products.

While lamenting that the condition has worsened, Mabogunje said most of the goods are smuggled across borders.

She said: “I think that there is a fundamental problem, because when you go to any European country, we have what we call an African store, the majority of those goods are coming from Ghana, because the country has made it easier for their people to export raw foods such as yam, rice etc, but in Nigeria, what is happening is that literally either one, smuggling it out as personal goods, or they are taking it in small bags as if they are for personal use, but they are actually taking it out to sell.”

The expert added that the difficulty in getting the goods out of the country made it to be sold at higher prices.

Familoni, in her remarks, explained the event was premised on the need to re-navigate SMEs for digitisation.

She underscored the need for partnerships between the private sector and public sectors for strengthening MSMEs.

In his opening speech, team leader of Centre for Entrepreneurship Development and Wealth Creation, Aliu, advised governments and financial institutions to develop local products such as microloans, venture capital funds  and crowd-funding platforms to provide affordable and accessible financing options for SMEs.

On the challenge SMEs face in said governments could support SMEs, by organising exhibitions and match-making firms with potential buyers and partners.

Dr. Friday Okpara of SMEDAN pledged that the government would provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.