Minister lauds firm’s certification for sesame export

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, has commended WACOT Ltd, a member company of the TGI Group, over the recent certification by the international certification organisation, ECOCERT, to export organic sesame globally.

Adebayo was excited as he received the ECOCERT certification presented to him in his office in Abuja, yesterday, by the National Sesame Seed Association of Nigeria (NSSAN), the management of WACOT, Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), and other stakeholders in sesame production.

The minister assured the delegation of government’s support, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration would not relent in creating an enabling environment for innovative agro-allied companies like WACOT.

“This government is all about encouraging and supporting indigenous companies, especially those in the agro-allied sector, to be successful within and outside the country. President Buhari’s administration is serious about weaning our economy off oil, and agriculture is a major priority. It is in this light that I commend your resourcefulness and diligence for getting the certification”, Adebayo said.

While presenting the document earlier, TGI Group Director (Corporate Affairs), who is also the Deputy National President of NSSAN, Sadiq Kassim, affirmed the commitment of stakeholders to position Nigeria on the global map of organic sesame production.

Kassim explained that due to the growing demand and adoption of organic food products like sesame globally, as well as its associated health benefits and eco-friendly characteristics, WACOT sought certification for Nigeria, one of Africa’s leading producers, to help farmers and the nation’s economy.

France-based ECOCERT, which conducts inspections in over 80 countries, issued the certification to WACOT, a company with sizeable investments in value chains of various crops across Nigeria, earlier in the year.

With the approval, WACOT, whose investments cover agri-inputs, farming, supply chain and logistics, manufacturing, and branding, is boosting Nigeria’s foreign exchange income through sesame export.