By Oluwakemi Kindness
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has unveiled a programme to equip Nigerian students with the skills to take local products and services to international markets.
The council said the Students Training Entrepreneurship Export Programme (STEP-X) would be replicated across the six geopolitical zones.
NEPC Executive Director, Nonye Ayeni, announced this at the programme’s launch in Lagos on Tuesday, according to a statement by Aliu Seidu-Sadiq, Deputy Director, Head of Corporate Communication.
She said the initiative would equip students with entrepreneurship skills, export knowledge and certifications to help them participate in the export value chain.
Ayeni said many young Nigerians were developing businesses in agriculture, agro-processing, fashion, technology, creative industries and digital services but lacked the knowledge to access international markets.
She identified limited knowledge of export procedures, documentation, quality standards and certification as major barriers to exporting their products.
According to her, STEP-X would address these gaps and make it easier for students to venture into non-oil exports.
“Our goal is to make the journey from hostel room or a campus workshop to the international market shorter, clearer and achievable,” Ayeni said.
More than 250 students from tertiary institutions in Lagos and Ogun states attended the maiden edition of the programme.
The National President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Babatunde Akinteye, described STEP-X as an initiative that could help students move from the classroom to the global market.
Akinteye said NANS was ready to partner with NEPC to implement export programmes for students and young Nigerians.
The association also proposed export hubs in tertiary institutions across the six geopolitical zones, with dedicated staff to provide training and mentorship.
NANS further requested a national summit on student export and entrepreneurship to connect young Nigerians with export skills, expertise and institutional support.
Ayeni assured the association of NEPC’s readiness to partner with it, describing young Nigerians as an important part of the country’s non-oil export sector.
She cited the council’s Export Skills Acquisition Centre, established with LeLook Academy, which trains young people in garment and bag making.
