The Nigerian Government has called on its office for Trade Negotiation on need to partner with critical stakeholders on its second phase of negotiations in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Ministers of Industry, Trade and Investment, Richard Adebayo and Mariam Katagum made the call at the inauguration ceremony of the new Director General of Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations, Yonov Agah in Abuja. The Ministers, while urging the new NOTN boss to deploy his wealth of experience from the World Trade Organisation into his new assignment said interacting, negotiating and liaising with institutions, public, private and other stakeholders at all levels is of paramount as well as harmonious working relationship with his officers. Responding, the NOTN new helmsman, Yonov Agah said he is aware that International trade is very key to the growth and development of countries as such he will urgently develop a template that will be to the interest and benefits of all parties. Yonov Agah is only the second Director General of NOTN since it was approved in 2017 as the standing trade negotiating body for Nigeria. President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Agah a retired Deputy Director General, in charge of Africa Affairs of the WTO as the DG and Nigeria’s Chief Trade Negotiator, following the death of Amb. Chiedu Osakwe.
