Business
NEPC Trains 200 Youths To Promote Export
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), says it has trained more than 200 youths toward building their capacity to embark on business successfully and to promote exportation.
The Executive Director of NEPC, Mr Olusegun Awolowo, disclosed this in Abuja at the graduation of 62 trainees of batch five “Zero to Export’’.
Awolowo, who was represented by Mr William Ezeagu, Director of Product Development in the council, said that NEPC would continue to create opportunities for Nigerians to imbibe the culture of exportation through capacity building programmes.
“The essence of our gathering today underscores the crucial role that the non-oil export sector plays in the present administration’s effort at diversifying the Nigerian economy to stop over reliance on oil,’’ he said.
The executive director said that the council had trained and graduated more than 200 trainees from the Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja centres, adding that most of the trainees had formed cooperatives and had become exporters.
He said that the Zero to Export programme had been part of the council’s efforts to reposition the non-oil sector and enforce the narrative of the council through job creation and inclusive growth.
“NEPC will continue to encourage Nigerians to take advantage of the diversification process of the Federal Government through the promotion of non-oil export activities.
He explained that the Zero to Export programme was an effective tool for introducing companies into the export business.
“This is because NEPC recognises the fact that many companies desire to go into the export business, but lack the capacity and skill to embark on the business successfully,’’ he said.
According to him, the council will provide the sum of N500, 000 to the cooperative societies formed by participants of the graduating trainees.
The money is expected to serve as seed capital to enable the co-operative society to begin the export business without hitches.
He advised the graduates to use the knowledge and skills acquired to make the programme worthwhile.
“This way the huge investments in material and resources deplored by the council will be justified,’’ he said.
He said the initiative was one of the flagship programmes of the council that focuses on creating new generation of Nigerian exporters through practical and theoretical training of business executives and bankers.
He identified the others as civil servants, unemployed graduates, and retired citizens with interest in export business.
Th executive director said that the programme was anchored on a Public Private Partnership.
A trainee, Mr Chester Iweagwu, who spoke on behalf of the others, said that the training would help them expand and do better in their businesses.
Iweagwu expressed appreciation to the council and urged it to build the capacity of more youths who would see to it that the rating of goods to be exported was up to international standard.
“This training (on exportation) will go a long way toward imbibing the culture of international best practice,’’ he said.
“Payment of tuition fees for undergraduate/postgraduate studies shall be subject to a maximum limit of $25,000.00 per semester,” the Manual states.
The expansion of international card limits also reflects growing confidence among lenders that foreign exchange liquidity has improved enough to support retail dollar transactions.
Speaking recently at the BusinessDay 14th Annual CEO Forum in Lagos, CBN Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the CBN said buying and selling activities now increasingly determine outcomes in the foreign exchange market, unlike in the past when market participants relied heavily on routine Central Bank interventions.
According to Cardoso, Nigeria’s net foreign exchange reserves have risen from just over $3 billion at the start of the reform programme to more than $40 billion, while gross reserves have climbed to about $52 billion, providing stronger confidence for investors and enabling the Central Bank to reserve interventions for periods of market stress rather than day-to-day liquidity management.
The restoration and expansion of international naira card spending limits are increasingly being seen as one of the clearest signs that the benefits of the CBN’s foreign exchange reforms are beginning to reach households, students and businesses making legitimate cross-border payments.
The Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer, WEC, Dr Angela Wilkinson, disclosed this in a statement, last Thursday.
“Nigeria’s participation comes at a pivotal time as the country seeks to expand energy access, strengthen energy security, accelerate gas development and mobilise the capital required for industrialisation and sustainable economic growth.
“WEC Nigeria will convene leaders from across the energy ecosystem, apply the WEC’s globally recognised Energy Trilemma framework to Nigeria’s unique context, and promote evidence-based dialogue, practical collaboration and informed policymaking.
“It will also ensure that Nigerian and broader African perspectives contribute meaningfully to global energy conversations,” she said.
Wilkinson expressed confidence that Nigeria would play a significant leadership role at the World Energy Congress scheduled for Riyadh in April 2027 and beyond.
The statement also quoted the Chairman of WEC Nigeria, Isa, as describing the country’s participation as an opportunity to deepen national and African leadership within the global energy community through practical solutions tailored to regional development priorities.
He said the platform would promote collaboration across sectors and attract sustainable investments into Nigeria’s energy sector.
The Chief Executive Officer of WEC Nigeria, Wunti, was quoted in the statement as saying that the council would connect leadership, evidence and investment to build a secure, affordable and sustainable energy system.
“This system will be capable of driving economic growth and shared prosperity.”
According to him, the platform will also connect Nigerian institutions and businesses with international knowledge, technology, partnerships and investment opportunities through the World Energy Council’s global network.
Recall that WEC, founded in 1923, is the world’s oldest independent and impartial community of energy leaders and practitioners, advancing informed, collaborative and practical action across the global energy system.