In an effort to consolidate on the remarkable achievement of the non-oil export sector to the Nigerian GDP in the preceding year, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC),has launched the Students Training Entrepreneurship Export Programme, STEP-X to help galvanize the energy of the youths which constitute over 60% of the Nigerian population into productive venture through the export training programme.
In a statement signed and issued in Abuja by Aliu Seidu Sadiq, Deputy Director, Head of Corporate Communication of the Council said at the opening ceremony in Lagos recently, the Executive Director/CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mrs Nonye Ayeni said the training programmed was resigned to equip students with entrepreneurship, export skills and certifications to enable them participate in the entire export value chains and compete in the global market.
According to the Executive Director/CEO, the training programme otherwise known as STEP-X with the theme: From Campus to Global Market : Empowering Nigerian Students for Non-oil Export and Global Entrepreneurship will be replicated across the six geo-political zones.
Ayeni said the youths are not only the future but they are the drivers of tomorrow’s economy and therefore could be used as agents of change and strong influencers in shaping the economy of the country.
She acknowledged the energy, passion and resilient of Nigerian students across the campuses.
According to her, Nigerian youths are developing businesses, products and ideas in agriculture, agro-processing, fashion and textiles, technology, creative industries and digital services. Observing that many of these businesses are not taking into consideration of the opportunities that exist in the export sector because of limited knowledge of the international market, export procedures, documentation, quality and standards as well as certifications.
The NEPC Boss said the STEP-X programme will address these knowledge gaps and make export seamless in order to encourage the youths desirous of venturing into the export business.
" This is why we came up with the theme: ‘From Campus to Global market’. Our goal is to make the journey from hostel room or a campus workshop to the international market shorter, clearer and achievable.
"More than 250 students drawn from institutions of higher learning in Lagos and Ogun states participated in the maiden edition of the Students Training Entrepreneurship Export Programme which also attracted the participation of the leadership of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the Zonal representatives from some key institutions." She said.
The programmed also witnessed the representative of the Honourable Minister of Youth Development and APC Youth Leader in Lagos state, Mr. Damilare Orimoloye who also encouraged the Nigerian students to take advantage of the opportunities available in the export sector to create job opportunities for themselves.
He commended the Management of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council for the initiative and urged other agencies of government to do same and support the government in job and wealth creation.
Also speaking, the National President of NANS, Comrade Babatunde Akinteye, described STEP-X as a laudable initiative that would help students move from classrooms to the global market.
He emphasized that the youths which constitute over 60% of the population could be galvanized and trained on different aspects of export value chains for economic development and growth.
According to him, the student body is ready to partner with NEPC to implement export programmes that will benefit its members and the youths of the Country.
During the visit the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) use the opportunity to articulate a number of programmes and projects the Association would like the Management of NEPC to consider for possible partnership.
Comrade Oladimeji solicited for training of Nigerian students on all aspects of export of products and services from Nigeria.
This he said, will equip the students with necessary export skills required and make it seamless to navigate after graduation from the university.
In addition, the Association also requested for the establishment of Export hubs in campuses across the six geo-political zones and deploy staff that will be responsible for training and mentorship of students in these hubs.
He also said the Association is confident that this initiative will provide valuable platform for connecting students and young Nigerians with relevant knowledge, expertise and institutional opportunities.
He also proposed a national summit entitled, Students Export & Entrepreneurship Initiative – From campus to global market with the theme ‘Empowering students for non-oil export and global entrepreneurship.
According to him,the summit will have six pillars which include training, identification, develop, connect, expose and skills.
Responding, Mrs Nonye Ayeni, Executive Director/CEO thanked the Nigerian students for the visit and described the Nigerian youth as vibrant, passionate and entrepreneurial. According to Ayeni, the Nigerian youth are part of Nigeria’s greatest strength and form a key component of the non-oil export ecosystem.
She assured the National Association of Nigerian students of the Council’s readiness to partner with them.
The Executive Director/CEO enumerated the various programmes and projects of the Council with direct impacts on the Nigerian youth such as the establishment of a dedicated Unit for women, youth and people living with disabilities. She also informed the students of the Council’s Export Skills Acquisition Centre (ESAC) established and facilitated in partnership with LeLook Academy to train Nigerian youths in the areas of garments and bag making.
According to her, the Centre has trained more than 1000 youths since inception and has produced bags exported to the international markets.
Mrs Ayeni also informed the leadership of the student union that the NEPC, in 2025 organized 728 capacity building programmes in 36 states of the Federation, including the Federal Capital Territory and over 10,000 beneficiaries.
The climax of the visit by the National Association of Nigerian Students was the decoration of the Executive Director/CEO with the National Ambassador of National Association of Nigerian Students. On the proposed National Summit, the Executive Director/CEO has directed the Director, State Offices Coordinating Department, Director, Export Incentives & Development and Directors, Trade Information to meet with the student body to organize the programme.
Comments