NEPC launches STEP-X programme to coach college students throughout Nigeria

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has launched the Students Training Entrepreneurship Export Programme (STEP-X) to harness the potential of Nigerian youths and equip them with the abilities wanted to take part within the international export market.

The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of NEPC, Mrs Nonye Ayeni, disclosed this in an announcement signed by the council’s deputy director and head of company communications, Aliu Seidu Sadiq.

Ayeni stated youths represent greater than 60 per cent of Nigeria’s inhabitants, stressing the necessity to channel their power and creativity into productive ventures by export coaching.

She defined that STEP-X was designed to equip college students with entrepreneurship and export abilities, in addition to related certifications, to allow them to take part in all the export worth chain and compete successfully within the international market.

According to her, the programme, themed “From Campus to Global Market: Empowering Nigerian Students for Non-Oil Export and Global Entrepreneurship,” can be replicated throughout the six geopolitical zones of the nation.

Ayeni stated youths as not solely the way forward for Nigeria but additionally the drivers of tomorrow’s economic system, noting that they may function brokers of change and influential contributors to nationwide financial improvement.

She stated younger Nigerians have been growing companies, merchandise and revolutionary concepts throughout varied sectors, together with agriculture, agro-processing, style and textiles, know-how, inventive industries and digital providers.

She famous that many of those companies have been but to benefit from alternatives within the export sector as a consequence of restricted information of worldwide markets, export procedures, documentation, high quality requirements and certification necessities.

The NEPC chief govt stated STEP-X would handle these information gaps, simplify export processes and encourage younger Nigerians eager about venturing into export companies.

“This is why we came up with the theme, ‘From Campus to Global Market’. Our goal is to make the journey from a hostel room or campus workshop to the international market shorter, clearer and achievable,” she stated.

Ayeni disclosed that greater than 250 college students from increased establishments in Lagos and Ogun states participated within the maiden version of the programme.

The occasion additionally attracted the management of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and zonal representatives from some key establishments.

In the assertion, the Minister of Youth Development and All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Leader in Lagos state, Mr Damilare Orimoloye, inspired Nigerian college students to benefit from alternatives within the export sector to create jobs and construct sustainable companies.

He recommended NEPC for the initiative and urged different authorities companies to emulate the council by supporting efforts to advertise job creation and wealth technology.

Similarly, the NANS National President, Comrade Babatunde Akinteye, stated the STEP-X as a laudable initiative that may assist college students transition from the classroom to the worldwide market.

Akinteye stated youths, who represent greater than 60 per cent of the nation’s inhabitants, might be mobilised and educated in several elements of the export worth chain to advertise financial development and improvement.

He assured the affiliation’s readiness to accomplice with NEPC in implementing export programmes that may profit college students and younger Nigerians throughout the nation.

Akinteye additionally stated the significance of coaching college students in all elements of exporting Nigerian services, noting that the programme would equip them with the required abilities to navigate the export sector after commencement.

He additional referred to as for the institution of export hubs on campuses throughout the six geopolitical zones, with devoted personnel chargeable for coaching and mentoring college students.

According to him, the proposed hubs would offer a priceless platform for connecting college students and younger Nigerians with related information, experience and institutional assist.

The affiliation additionally proposed a nationwide summit titled “Students Export and Entrepreneurship Initiative: From Campus to Global Market,” with the theme “Empowering Students for Non-Oil Export and Global Entrepreneurship.”