The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has launched the Students Training Entrepreneurship Export Programme (STEP-X) to equip Nigerian students with entrepreneurship and export skills needed to participate in the non-oil export sector and compete in the international market.
Speaking at the maiden edition of the programme in Lagos on Thursday, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of NEPC, Mrs Nonye Ayeni, said the initiative was introduced to harness the potential of Nigerian youths, who account for more than 60 per cent of the country’s population, and channel their energies into productive ventures through export-oriented entrepreneurship.
According to a statement by Aliu Seidu Sadiq, Deputy Director and Head of Corporate Communication at NEPC, the programme, themed “From Campus to Global Market: Empowering Nigerian Students for Non-Oil Export and Global Entrepreneurship,” will be replicated across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
Ayeni said the training programme is designed to provide students with entrepreneurial knowledge, export skills and certifications that will enable them participate effectively across export value chains.
She noted that young Nigerians are already developing innovative products and services in sectors such as agriculture, agro-processing, fashion, textiles, technology, creative industries and digital services, but many are yet to take advantage of export opportunities because of limited knowledge of international markets, export procedures, documentation requirements, quality standards and certifications.
According to her, STEP-X was conceived to bridge these knowledge gaps and make participation in export trade more accessible to young people.
“Our goal is to make the journey from a hostel room or campus workshop to the international market shorter, clearer and achievable,” she said.
More than 250 students from tertiary institutions in Lagos and Ogun states participated in the inaugural edition of the programme.
The event also attracted leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and representatives from several higher institutions.
Representing the Minister of Youth Development, Lagos APC Youth Leader, Mr Damilare Orimoloye, encouraged students to take advantage of opportunities in the export sector to create employment and wealth.
He commended NEPC for the initiative and urged other government agencies to support youth-focused programmes that contribute to job creation and economic growth.
Also speaking, NANS President, Comrade Babatunde Akinteye, described STEP-X as a laudable initiative that would help students transition from the classroom to the global marketplace.
He said the association was ready to collaborate with NEPC on programmes that would expose students and other young Nigerians to opportunities across various export value chains.
During discussions with the Council, NANS proposed the establishment of export hubs on campuses across the six geopolitical zones to provide training, mentorship and support services for students interested in export businesses.
The association also proposed a national summit on student entrepreneurship and non-oil exports.
Responding, Ayeni assured the students’ body of NEPC’s readiness to partner with it in advancing youth participation in non-oil exports.
She highlighted some of the Council’s youth-focused initiatives, including a dedicated unit for women, youths and persons living with disabilities, as well as the Export Skills Acquisition Centre (ESAC), established in partnership with LeLook Academy.
According to Ayeni, the centre has trained more than 1,000 youths in garment and bag production, with products from the programme already exported to international markets.
She further disclosed that NEPC organised 728 capacity-building programmes across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in 2025, benefiting more than 10,000 participants.
The event ended with the decoration of Ayeni as a National Ambassador of the National Association of Nigerian Students.
The NEPC chief also directed relevant departments of the Council to engage with NANS on the proposed national summit and other areas of collaboration.
