Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of NEPC, Mrs Nonye Ayeni,
By Felix Khanoba
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to establish export hubs in tertiary institutions across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones as part of efforts to equip students with skills for the global market.
The students’ body also sought a partnership with the council to train Nigerian students in the export of products and services, saying such skills would prepare them for entrepreneurship and economic opportunities before and after graduation.
The Secretary-General of NANS and leader of the delegation, Comrade Oladimeji Uthman Fodio, made the call on Monday during a courtesy visit to the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of NEPC, Mrs Nonye Ayeni, at the council’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.
A statement signed on Wednesday by Aliu Seidu Sadiq -Deputy Director, Head of Corporate Communication, SMEDAN, said Fodio commended Ayeni for what he described as exemplary leadership and her commitment to youth development and empowerment.
He also praised NEPC for its efforts to expand Nigeria’s non-oil export sector and expose young people and women to opportunities across the export value chain.
According to him, youths account for more than 60 per cent of Nigeria’s population and could be strategically trained and mobilised to participate in various areas of the export value chain, thereby contributing to national economic growth.
He said NANS was prepared to collaborate with NEPC on programmes that would expose students to export opportunities and provide them with practical skills needed to participate effectively in the sector.
Among the proposals presented by the students’ association was the establishment of export hubs on campuses across the six geopolitical zones, with NEPC staff deployed to provide training and mentorship.
NANS said the proposed hubs would create platforms through which students and young Nigerians could gain access to relevant knowledge, expertise and institutional support on export development.
The association 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 be built around six pillars: training, identification, develop, connect, exposure and skills.
The association further urged NEPC to provide comprehensive training for Nigerian students on the export of products and services, saying this would give them the necessary skills to venture into export businesses.
Responding, Ayeni thanked the students for the visit and described Nigerian youths as vibrant, passionate and entrepreneurial.
According to her, young Nigerians remain a major strength of the country and an important component of the non-oil export ecosystem.
She assured the students that NEPC was ready to partner with the association.
Ayeni highlighted several NEPC initiatives targeted at young people, including the establishment of a dedicated unit for women, youth and people living with disabilities.
She also drew attention to the council’s Export Skills Acquisition Centre (ESAC), established and facilitated in partnership with LeLook Academy to train Nigerian youths in garment and bag making.
According to her, the centre has trained more than 1,000 youths since its establishment and has produced high-quality bags that have been exported to international markets.
Ayeni further disclosed that NEPC 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.
The visit ended with NANS decorating Ayeni as the association’s National Ambassador.
On the proposed national summit, Ayeni directed the Director, State Offices Coordinating Department; Director, Export Incentives and Development; and Directors, Trade Information, to engage with the student body towards organising the programme.
