By Ebi Kesiena
Nigerian onion traders have suspended exports to Ghana over a lingering trade dispute between traders from both countries, prompting the National Onion Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPMAN) to seek urgent intervention from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
National President of the association, Alhaji Aliyu Maitasamu, disclosed this to journalists on Sunday in Sokoto, saying the suspension followed the exhaustion of efforts to resolve the dispute through existing channels.
Maitasamu urged the governments of Nigeria and Ghana to intervene and facilitate a lasting resolution, warning that a prolonged disruption could result in significant economic losses for farmers, producers, exporters, transporters, wholesalers and retailers involved in the onion value chain.
He said restoring the flow of onions between the two countries was essential to rebuilding confidence in cross-border agricultural trade and protecting livelihoods dependent on the regional market.
According to him, the suspension would remain in force until both countries reach an amicable and mutually acceptable agreement on the modalities governing onion trade.
“The action was not taken to undermine regional trade, but aimed at drawing the attention of the relevant authorities to the difficulties faced by Nigerian traders and securing a lasting solution to the dispute,” Maitasamu said.
He called on ECOWAS to urgently mediate in the dispute, warning that failure to address the matter could undermine the bloc’s principles of regional economic integration and disrupt agricultural commerce across West Africa.
Maitasamu urged ECOWAS to establish a fair, transparent and enforceable framework capable of protecting legitimate agricultural traders and preventing unilateral actions from interfering with cross-border trade.
He stressed that Nigeria and Ghana, as major ECOWAS members, share strong economic ties, while agricultural commerce between both countries provides livelihoods for thousands of people.
The association’s president also appealed to all stakeholders to embrace dialogue and ensure that the dispute does not impose unnecessary hardship on farmers and traders who rely on regional markets to sell their produce.
He said ECOWAS mediation remained critical to safeguarding the interests of traders on both sides and restoring stability to the onion trade between Nigeria and Ghana.
