Former Nigerian Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun has called on President Bola Tinubu to appoint a National Export Adviser to bolster the country's export sector. Speaking at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank’s International Women’s Day Conference 2025 in Abuja, Adeosun highlighted that Nigeria's export-to-GDP ratio stands at 9.2%, suggesting significant room for growth.

Adeosun emphasized that the issue lies not in the volume of imports but in the insufficient level of exports. She stated, "The narrative used to be that Nigeria imports too much, but that is untrue. The statistics do not support that at all. The statistics do say that Nigeria exports too little." She advocated for a dedicated figurehead to drive reforms and eliminate barriers hindering Nigerian goods from reaching the global market.

The conference also featured the launch of the Women in Export Development Funds (WEDF) by NEXIM, aiming to enhance women's participation in the non-oil export sector. NEXIM's Managing Director, Abba Bello, underscored the importance of empowering women to address gender disparities and promote economic growth.

Adeosun's call aligns with broader efforts to diversify Nigeria's economy by strengthening the export sector, thereby reducing reliance on imports and fostering sustainable development.