The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has launched a training programme to equip Nigerian students with entrepreneurship and export skills, as part of efforts to boost non-oil exports, create jobs and expand the country’s economic opportunities....
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has launched a training programme to equip Nigerian students with entrepreneurship and export skills, as part of efforts to boost non-oil exports, create jobs and expand the country’s economic opportunities.
The Students Training Entrepreneurship Export Programme (STEP-X) was unveiled in Lagos to help young Nigerians develop businesses capable of competing in international markets.
Speaking at the launch, NEPC Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nonye Ayeni, said the programme would provide students with relevant skills, training and certifications to enable them to participate in different segments of the export value chain.
With the theme, “From Campus to Global Market: Empowering Nigerian Students for Non-oil Export and Global Entrepreneurship”, the initiative will be replicated across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Ayeni described young people as critical drivers of economic growth, noting that their energy, creativity and entrepreneurial potential could contribute significantly to the country’s development.
She said many Nigerian students were already developing products and businesses in agriculture, agro-processing, fashion and textiles, technology, creative industries and digital services.
However, she noted that limited knowledge of international markets, export procedures, documentation, quality standards and certification had prevented many young entrepreneurs from exploring export opportunities.
According to her, STEP-X is designed to bridge these knowledge gaps and make the process of entering the export market more accessible to students.
“Our goal is to make the journey from hostel room or a campus workshop to the international market shorter, clearer and achievable,” she said.
More than 250 students from higher institutions in Lagos and Ogun states participated in the maiden edition of the programme, which also attracted leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and representatives of various institutions.
The Lagos State APC Youth Leader, Damilare Orimoloye, who represented the Minister of Youth Development, encouraged students to take advantage of opportunities in the export sector to create jobs and achieve financial independence.
He commended the NEPC for the initiative and urged other government agencies to introduce similar programmes in support of job and wealth creation.
The NANS President, Babatunde Akinteye, described STEP-X as a laudable initiative that would help students transition from the classroom to international markets.
He said the association was ready to partner with the NEPC to implement export development programmes that would benefit students and young Nigerians.
During a meeting with the council, NANS proposed additional initiatives, including comprehensive export training for students in goods and services, the establishment of export hubs on campuses across the six geopolitical zones, and the deployment of personnel to provide mentorship and guidance.
The association also proposed a national summit, the Students Export and Entrepreneurship Initiative, with the theme, “Empowering Students for Non-oil Export and Global Entrepreneurship”.
The proposed summit would focus on six pillars: training, identification, development, connection, exposure and skills.
Responding, Ayeni reaffirmed the council’s commitment to partnering with NANS, describing young Nigerians as a major strength of the country’s non-oil export ecosystem.
She highlighted existing NEPC initiatives targeting young people, women and persons with disabilities, including a dedicated unit established to support these groups.
She also cited the council’s Export Skills Acquisition Centre, established in partnership with LeLook Academy to train young Nigerians in garment and bag making.
According to Ayeni, the centre has trained more than 1,000 young people since its establishment, with some of the bags produced exported to international markets.
She further disclosed that the NEPC organised 728 capacity-building programmes across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in 2025, benefiting more than 10,000 people.
The visit by NANS culminated in the decoration of Ayeni as a National Ambassador of the association.
On the proposed national summit, the NEPC chief executive directed relevant departments within the council to work with the student body towards organising the programme.
The council said the partnership would strengthen efforts to equip young Nigerians with the skills and institutional support needed to explore non-oil export opportunities and contribute to economic growth.