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Draft:Ezra Yakusak

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Ezra Yakusak
A picture of Ezra Yakusak
Alma materAhmadu Bello University, Zaria
OccupationLawyer. Author. Administrator.
Years active1991-present

Ezra Yakusak is a Nigerian Lawyer, Author, Administrator and Strategist. He was the Executive Director/CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, from 27th November, 2021, to 13th October, 2023.[1] He was the President of ECOWAS Trade Promotion Organisation Network in 2021 [2]and was re-elected in 2022 to lead 15 other member ECOWAS countries in driving trade within the sub-region.[3]

Education & Early Life

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After his primary school education, Yakusak attended Government Secondary School, Kachia, Kaduna State, Nigeria and was issued a WASC/GCE certificate. From there he proceeded to College of Advanced Studies Zaria for his Advanced Level studies and was awarded IJMB Certificate. For his undergraduate degree, he attended Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, where he obtained a degree in Law (LL.B Hons) in 1990. In 1991, he completed the one- year professional training at the Nigeria Law School Lagos whereon he was admitted to practise as Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He participated in the one-year mandatory National Youth Service Corps between 1991 and 1992 in Kubwa Abuja. His set were the pioneer corps members of the Kubwa NYSC Orientation camp. In 2003, Yakusak obtained a Master of Law Degree (LLM) at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and later in 2014 he bagged a Ph.D degree in Law in the same institution.[4]

Career

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Yakusak joined the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) in 1991 as a corps member.[5] Upon completion of his NYSC programme, he was employed as a Legal Officer 1. He became a Director and was subsequently appointed the substantive Executive Director/CEO in November, 2021.[6]  This makes him the first and only Executive Director/CEO  in NEPC to have so far risen through the ranks. Yakusak held several positions in the course of his career.  This includes, Director, Policy & Strategy, Director, Trade Information Department, Regional Coordinator (North Central), NEPC Servicom Nodal Officer, Head, Corporate Services Department, Secretary, NEPC Governing Board and Legal Adviser of NEPC among others.[7] He initiated the setting up of the Legal and Pension units of the NEPC and became the pioneer Legal officer of the Council.[8] He was also a Part-time Lecturer, University of Abuja from 1995 to 2005.[9] While in NEPC, Yakusak authored a book “Export Promotion in Nigeria: Law, Policy and Practice”.[12] The book has become a vital resource material for SMEs, exporters, scholars and other stakeholders.[10] [11] He conceptualised the making/production of a movie on non-oil export titled "The Farm Boy" which featured renowned  Nollywood Actors and NEPC staff.  Under his leadership, the Chinese Government appointed the NEPC as Competent Authority in Nigeria for issuance of General Administration of Customs Certificate (GACC), a clearance system mandating all overseas food manufacturers, processors etc to  ensure compliance with Chinese Import policies by registering under the GACC.[12] Yakusak’s short tenure as CEO was marked by various reforms, programmes and initiatives in the non-oil export space including the introduction of a Quality Policy preparatory to obtaining ISO 9001 certification for the NEPC.[13]

Export4Survival

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The Export4survival campaign was conceived by Yakusak as part of strategic initiatives to increase the awareness of opportunities in the non-oil export sector and the benefits of exporting Made in Nigerian goods and services to the overall growth of the economy.[14] The campaign was hinged on the need for Nigeria to realise the urgency of engaging in non-oil export trade and imbibe an export culture as a viable means of economic growth, industrial development and boosting of the country’s foreign exchange earnings. [15]The campaign which was formally launched by the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Richard Niyi Adebayo, was accentuated on the  premise that for Nigeria to survive economically it must export.[16] To create awareness across the 36 States of the Federation, a partnership was established with the National Orientation Agency in this regards.[17][18]

Non-oil Export Performance

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Under Yakusak’s stewardship, the non-oil export performance rose to $4.82billion USD in 2022.[19] [20] [21] This was the highest non-oil export performance recorded since the establishment of NEPC in 1976.[22] These figures represented data collated from the various Pre-shipment Inspection Agents appointed by the Federal Government under the Pre-shipment Inspection Act, Cap P25 LFN 2004.[23]

Export Trade Houses.

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Between 2022 to 2023, Yakusak commissioned the first Nigerian Export Trade Houses in Cairo Egypt, Lome Togo, Nairobi Kenya and Hunan China.[24][25]

The adoption of the Export Trade House as a marketing model was to further boost Nigeria’s non-oil export drive, increase market share in host countries while leveraging on the benefit of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).[26]  Similarly, a  Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Nigerian-Arabian Gulf Chambers of Commerce was signed for the establishment of an Export Trade House in Dubai.[27] The Dubai Centre was commissioned in December, 2023.[28]

National Conference on non-oil Export

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In April 2022, the NEPC under Yakusak’s leadership organised the first National Conference on Non-Oil Export. The former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and the then Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, CFR, were in attendance as Special Guest of honour and Guest of honour respectively along with Ambassador Mariam Katagum who was also a Guest of honour.[29] The second edition of the Conference was held in October, 2023, with Vice President Kasim Shetima, who was represented as Special Guest of honour.[30]

MOU between NEPC and SMEDAN

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As CEO, Yakusak signed an  MOU with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN) towards penetrating the West African market with made in Nigeria goods and services.[31] The MOU led to the organisation of the first-ever Nigeria Solo Trade Exhibition in Gambia in October 2022, with 40 Nigerian exhibitors, top Nigerian musicians and Nollywood actors in attendance.[32]

International Voluntary Certifications for Exporters

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The NEPC fully sponsored the implementation of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), HALAL and ISO 22000 for 200 MSMES.[33]  This was part of his efforts to enhance the capacity and export readiness of value chain actors in various sectors and also support Exporters to improve the quality or standard of their exportable products and curb the incessant cases of export rejects.[34]

Establishment of e-Commerce platform.

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The Council commissioned an e-commerce platform in collaboration with Agogo Africa.[35] The platform which went live on 2nd June, 2022, boosted the country’s African fashion exports and also provided an opportunity for the industry to source for raw materials required by industry players in their production processes.[36]

Construction of Regional offices.

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In 2023, Yakusak performed the ground breaking ceremony of three NEPC properties situated at Makurdi, Port Harcourt and Enugu. The properties were acquired in 2010, 1993 and 1988 respectively, and were left bare/undeveloped until year 2023 when contracts were awarded and development commenced.[37]

Youth for Export Programme

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The Youth for Export Programme (YEP) was conceptualised and launched in  August 2023.[38] The program was designed to address the challenges of youth restiveness by encouraging youth participation in the non-oil export value chain.[39] The programme was conceived and implemented in collaboration with Zeenab Food Limited and provided capacity building for youths by imbibing necessary skills required to participate in non-oil export trade.[40] The crux of the programme was to increase non-oil export earnings and create employment opportunities among the youths.[41]

Export 774 Project

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The objective of Export 777 project was to develop a compendium which will provide sufficient information on export potentials across 774 Local Governments areas of Nigeria and the six Area Councils of the FCT.[42] [43] It identifies promising products, and assess market competitiveness paving way for increased foreign investments and export growth opportunities while serving as an investment guide.[44]

Export Week

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Between 21st to 26th November, 2022, an Export week, which was the first of its kind, was organised. The event created a platform for sensitizing the exporting community and a forum to strengthen partnerships with relevant stakeholders in the sector.[45] The week featured formal launch of the Export4Survival campaign, Seminars, Exhibition of exportable products, Fashion parade, Export for Survival Road Show in Lagos, Exporters Award/Gala Night etc.[46]

Exporters Award Night

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The first NEPC Exporters Awards Night was organised in November 2022 in Lagos. The event provided a platform where Exporters who have distinguished themselves in the non-oil export space were given various categories of award.[47]

Football Talent Hunt for Export

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As part of continuous efforts of addressing the challenges of youth restiveness and re-direct their talent in the non-oil export value chain, Yakusak signed an MOU with GP 777 Academy Limited to organise Football Talent Hunt. This was to identify and develop young footballers with exceptional skills and nurture them to become world class players.[48] The project was geared towards creating a sustainable pool of talented players by promoting football as a viable career option for young people who may eventually export their services and earn foreign exchange.[49]  Scouts and Directors of clubs from different European Countries participated in the scouting event. Some young talents were selected and taken to Europe for trials under the first phase of the project.

Maiden National Summit of States Committee on Export Promotion.

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On 2nd November, 2022, the maiden National Summit of the State Committee on Export Promotion (SCEP) was organised.[50] Representatives of SCEP in all the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT were in attendance. The SCEP was established in 1988 by virtue of section 8 of the NEPC Act, Cap N108 Laws of the Federation, 2004 to facilitate grass root export promotion programmes. The Summit was the first since the establishment of SCEP in 1988[51]

Interactive Forum for Ambassadors/High Commissioners

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The first interactive forum for Ambassadors/High Commissioners and Development Partners in Nigeria was organised in October 2022. The forum created an avenue for seamless exchange of trade information as well as exhibition of Nigerian products which was done at the sideline of the event.[52] The doyen of Diplomatic corps Ambassador Saludeen Abbas opined that the event was the first of its kind since his 14 years sojourn in Nigeria as Ambassador.[53]

Digitalization of NEPC Operations

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As CEO, Yakusak procured hardware/computers for all staff as a way of building and sustaining a workforce that is well equipped and ready to deliver quality service to the exporting community.[54] This was in addition to the construction of  a fully computerised e-library and archiving of all working files in headquarters and all the State offices.[55]

Mentorship Programmes

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With a dogged determination to curb the incessant difficulties faced by new or prospective entrants into the export space, Yakusak introduced the Exporters Mentorship Programme (EMP) in 2022.[56] The aim was to raise an army of new exporters through practical hand holding and mentorship. The pilot scheme commenced in March 2023, with the selection of 50 Mentees who were posted to 5 performing exporters for tutelage.[57] Yakusak also introduced the NEPC Staff Mentorship and Development Programme - a bi-weekly capacity building exercise aimed at promoting shared knowledge, bridge communication gap and sharpen staff leadership and presentation skills.[58][59]

Awards and Membership

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Awards

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Ezra Yakusak has received several awards, they include:

  • National Productivity Order of Merit Award by the President and Commander in Chief, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. He is the first Executive Director and only staff of the NEPC to be so honoured.[60]
  • Certificate of Recognition by the Vice President (Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, GCON) for commitment and partnership in development of MSMEs on 1st December, 2022.
  • Commendation letter by the Honourable Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Otunba Richard Niyi Adebayo,  "for providing focused leadership, and working tirelessly to promote the diversification of Nigeria's export base, leading to a significant and unprecedented increase in the volume and value of non -oil export since the creation of NEPC in 1976".[61]
  • Award of Excellence by SERVICOM Office, Presidency for the NEPC Exporters e-Registration Initiative
  • Award of Best Promoter of Nigerian non-oil Products by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN Abuja Chapel. The Award was in recognition of his numerous achievements in the promotion and export of Nigeria’s non-oil products since assumption of office.[62]

Membership

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He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association and Fellow Chattered Institute of Administrators.

Publications

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  • “Export Promotion in Nigeria: Law, Policy and Practice”. Pioneer book on Export Promotion in Nigeria published in 2017.
  • A diagnostic Appraisal of the twin concept of “Right” and “Person” under the Freedom of Information Act, 2011. - University of Maiduguri Journal of Private and Property Law, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2015.
  • Analysing the Export Promotion content of the Lome Convention and its domestication in Nigeria. – A.B.U Commercial Law Journal, Vol. 7, No. 1, 2015.
  • An Expository Study of the Legal Framework for the Regulation of Non-oil Export in Nigeria. – The Gravitas Review of Business & Property Law, Vol 6, No,3, 2015
  • A critical review of Non-Oil Export Incentive Legislation in Nigeria – Issues of Enforcement and Practice. - A.B.U Commercial Law Journal, Vol.6, No.1, 2013.
  • An analysis of the Legal Regime for the Promotion of Non-Oil Export in Nigeria. - Ph.D dissertation. 2013
  • The Legal and Institutional Framework of O.A.U: Selected Emerging Priorities – LL.M Thesis 2002

References

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