The Federal Government has launched a “Youth for Export Program” to prepare young Nigerians to participate effectively in the global export market and contribute to economic growth.
Executive Director of Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, Dr. Ezra Yakusak, said the launch signaled the continued commitment of NEPC towards fostering export inclusiveness, by harnessing the untapped potential of Nigerian youths to become export champions.
Yakusak spoke in Abuja at the official launching of the Youth For Export Program, YEP, on Wednesday at the NEPC headquarters.
According to him, the main thrust of the initiative is “to train Nigerian youths to acquire the necessary training and skills needed to participate effectively in the export value chain.
“To create a platform that demystify fear, risk and uncertainties usually associated with export by youth entrepreneurs, while providing opportunity for youths to showcase their talents and abilities to participate in the export market space.”
Other objectives of the scheme are to on-board youth in business onto NEPC vertical strategic plan of Export4Survival initiatives, increase the contribution of youth-led export businesses to the Nigerian economy; and increase non-oil export earnings and make the sector a major contributor to the country’s sustainable economic development.
The NEPC boss disclosed that the project is a public private partnership with Zeenab Foods Limited, the operator of the Nigerian Export Trade House in China, as a major programme implementing partner.
According to him, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with Zeenab Foods Ltd to underscore the importance of the project, adding that while NEPC will provide capacity building of youths, Zeenab Foods on the other hand will provide mentorship and market access for youth entrepreneurs.
“Already Zeenab Foods have established the Nigerian Exporters hub (NEXHUB), an online platform designed to connect prospective exporters to niche markets,” he said.
Yakusak recalled that Nigeria’s youth population is estimated at about 60 per cent of the country’s population, which makes Nigeria a country with the youngest population in Africa.
“Ordinarily, this population outlook should be a catalyst for economic growth and development. However, Nigeria has not been able to properly harness the strength and skills of its growing youth population to accentuate socio-economic growth.
“The Youth for Export program is therefore another critical intervention of the Council that seeks to unlock the potential of Nigerian youths in the export sector, which would prepare young people to participate effectively in the global export market and contribute to economic growth.
“This initiative will leverage on partnerships with relevant stakeholders in private and public sector in order to create sustainable opportunities for young people in the non-oil export value chain. In the long run, we hope that a lot of jobs will be created and the incessant cases of social unrest, instability and youth restiveness will be curbed,” he said.
He noted that, “We must therefore demonstrate firmed commitment in our collaboration to change the export trajectory by raising a generation of entrepreneur-spirited young stars, who would not only be export-ready, but are also well equipped to create jobs and contribute significantly for sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the country.”
