EU Drags Nigeria Before WTO As Okonjo-Iweala Meets CBN Governor

The European Union has reported Nigeria to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over the African nation’s policy on dairy.

Naija News reports that this was made known by the Director-General of the WTO Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Tuesday when she visited the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Okonjo-Iweala said the WTO has received a letter from the European Union complaining about Nigeria’s restrictions on milk and diary products.

She said the WTO will look into the complaint but urged Nigeria to take advantage of the trade remedy initiative in place at the WTO to protect local industries.

Reacting, CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, said the process to bring milk and dairy producers has been on for six years with the milk and diary producers treating the matter with levity.

One of the producers, he said, has been in Nigeria for over 60 years and has not deemed it necessary to engage in backward integration rather but is comfortable importing products.

Naija News reports that the two-time former Nigeria’s Finance minister arrived the country, Saturday on a five-day working visit.

The WTO Chief Executive Officer, who assumed office on March 1, 2021, is visiting Nigeria for the first time since she took office in Geneva, Switzerland.