The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for a partnership with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to equip students with skills needed to participate in the non-oil export sector.

NANS Secretary-General, Oladimeji Uthman Fodio, made the call during a courtesy visit to the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of NEPC, Mrs Nonye Ayeni, at the Council’s headquarters in Abuja.

Fodio commended NEPC for its efforts to develop Nigeria’s non-oil export sector and create opportunities for young people and women. He said Nigerian youths, who constitute more than 60 per cent of the country’s population, could contribute significantly to economic growth if properly trained and supported.

He said the proposed partnership would provide students with practical knowledge in product and service exports. NANS also proposed the establishment of export hubs on campuses across the six geopolitical zones, as well as the deployment of NEPC personnel to mentor participating students.

The association further proposed a national summit, titled “Students Export and Entrepreneurship Initiative – From Campus to Global Market,” with the theme, “Empowering Students for Non-Oil Export and Global Entrepreneurship.”

Responding, Ayeni described Nigerian youths as vibrant and entrepreneurial, stressing that they were central to the country’s efforts to expand non-oil exports. She assured NANS of NEPC’s readiness to collaborate on initiatives that would strengthen students’ capacity to participate in the export sector.

Ayeni highlighted some of the Council’s youth-focused initiatives, including a dedicated unit for women, youths and persons with disabilities, as well as the Export Skills Acquisition Centre operated in partnership with LeLook Academy.

She said the centre had trained more than 1,000 youths in garment and bag making, with some of the products already exported. She added that NEPC conducted 728 capacity-building programmes across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in 2025, benefiting more than 10,000 people.

During the visit, NANS decorated Ayeni as its National Ambassador, while she directed NEPC directors to engage with the association to develop plans for the proposed national summit.