The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has sought partnership with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to equip students with export skills and create opportunities for their participation in the non-oil export value chain.
The Secretary-General of NANS and leader of the delegation, Comrade Oladimeji Uthman Fodio, made the call during a courtesy visit to the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of NEPC, Mrs Nonye Ayeni, at the Council’s headquarters in Abuja.
Fodio said youths, who constitute more than 60 percent of Nigeria’s population, could be effectively trained and mobilised to contribute to economic growth through export development.
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He said NANS was seeking collaboration with NEPC to implement programmes that would expose students to opportunities across the export value chain and prepare them for entrepreneurship after graduation.
The student body specifically requested training for Nigerian students on various aspects of exporting products and services from the country.
“This will equip the students with necessary export skills that will make it seamless for the students to venture into after graduation from the university,” Fodio said.
NANS also proposed the establishment of export hubs on campuses across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with designated NEPC personnel responsible for training and mentoring students on export-related activities.
The association said the proposed hubs would provide students and young Nigerians with the practical knowledge, expertise and institutional support needed to access global markets.
It also proposed a national summit, “Students Export & Entrepreneurship Initiative – From Campus to Global Market”, with the theme, “Empowering Students for Non-Oil Export and Global Entrepreneurship”.
According to NANS, the proposed summit would focus on six pillars: training, identification, development, connection, exposure and skills.
Fodio commended NEPC for its efforts to expand Nigeria’s non-oil export sector and expose young people and women to opportunities within the export ecosystem.
He also commended Ayeni’s leadership, describing her as an exemplary leader with a strong commitment to youth development and empowerment.
A Major Strength
Responding, Ayeni described Nigerian youths as a major strength for the country and an important component of the non-oil export sector.
“The Nigerian youths are part of Nigeria’s greatest strength and form a key component of the non-oil export ecosystem,” Ayeni said.
She assured NANS of NEPC’s readiness to partner with the students, while highlighting existing programmes of the Council targeted at youth empowerment.
Ayeni cited the establishment of a dedicated unit for women, youth and persons living with disabilities as part of NEPC’s efforts to promote inclusive participation in the export sector.
She also highlighted the Council’s Export Skills Acquisition Centre (ESAC), established in partnership with LeLook Academy to train Nigerian youths in garment and bag making.
“The Centre has trained more than 1,000 youths since inception and has produced high-quality bags which have been exported to the international markets,” she said.
The NEPC boss further disclosed that the Council organised 728 capacity-building programmes across the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, in 2025, benefiting more than 10,000 people.
She said the initiatives were aimed at building the capacity of Nigerians to take advantage of opportunities in the non-oil export sector and contribute to the country’s economic diversification.
The visit ended with NANS decorating Ayeni as the National Ambassador of the National Association of Nigerian Students in recognition of her leadership and commitment to youth development.
