STEP-X: Nigeria's Future Exporters Are Being Trained

In April 2020, Forbes Africa recognized Uzair Essack, a young entrepreneur from South Africa, in its 30 Under 30 list. He built his success on an export business he started while in school at the University of Cape Town. His first shipment came after a Saudi Arabian buyer asked for pineapples.

Essack found the fruit, completed the order, and saw how much potential there was in exporting South African produce to other countries. This opportunity turned into CapeCrops, a fresh-produce business that now serves customers in many nations.

Essack's story is important for Nigeria because he started his business while still a student. He didn’t wait for graduation to get involved in international trade. He saw an opportunity and took action.

This kind of possibility is what Nigeria needs as it tries to link students with the non-oil export sector.

In my previous article, “From Campus to Global Markets: Why Students Should Learn to Export,” I said that Nigerian campuses should not only produce graduates looking for jobs but also entrepreneurs who can take Nigerian products to the world. This idea came up during talks between the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

Recently, the council launched the Students Training Entrepreneurship Export Programme (STEP-X) to put this idea into action. At the launch, NEPC Executive Director and CEO Nonye Ayeni said the real challenge is turning the energy of young people into productive work.

“Young people are not only the future; they are the drivers of tomorrow’s economy,” Ayeni said, calling them potential agents of change who can shape Nigeria’s economic future.

Her message shows the promise of STEP-X and the responsibility it brings.

Across Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges, students are creating products and services in agriculture, fashion, technology, and more. But many don’t know about the international markets that could help their businesses grow.

Ayeni pointed out that a lack of knowledge about export procedures, documentation, quality standards, and certification stops many young entrepreneurs from taking these chances.

“Our goal is to make the journey from a hostel room or a campus workshop to the international market shorter, clearer and achievable,” she said.

This goal is timely. A student making leather bags may have a great product but not know about international pricing or shipping costs. An agricultural entrepreneur might need certifications before entering foreign markets. For both, having a good idea is just the start; commercial success needs a way to meet buyers’ needs.

STEP-X aims to solve these knowledge gaps by teaching students about entrepreneurship and export skills like market research, export readiness, documentation, packaging, and international standards.

More than 250 students from higher institutions in Lagos and Ogun states joined the first edition, with plans to expand the program to Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

The initiative has started well. The next step is to ensure that growth leads to real support for students wanting to set up export-ready businesses.

The economic background highlights why this effort is needed. NEPC reported that Nigeria’s non-oil export earnings hit about $6.1 billion in 2025, rising from $5.46 billion in 2024. The country exported 281 products to 120 countries during that time.

These numbers show that Nigerian products are already on the global stage. The challenge now is to get more young entrepreneurs involved, especially those with good ideas but who lack the networks, knowledge, and resources for global trade.

Training alone isn’t enough to close this gap. Some students will need funding for materials, packaging, and certifications. Others will need mentorship, logistics help, and introductions to reliable buyers. Digital entrepreneurs may require advice on international demand, portfolio building, and cross-border payments.

Linking STEP-X participants with existing support programs, financial institutions, experienced exporters, and potential buyers would help the initiative go beyond classroom learning.

NEPC and NANS will combine their strengths to tackle this challenge, with NEPC bringing export-development knowledge and NANS providing access to the student network. Their partnership sets a foundation for ongoing engagement beyond the program launch.

NANS had earlier suggested export hubs in tertiary institutions across the six geopolitical zones, along with a broader Students Export and Entrepreneurship Initiative focused on training and support.

These proposed hubs could offer continuity that one-time training sessions cannot. They could help find promising student businesses, enhance their products, and connect them with experienced exporters and buyers. But these hubs are still just a plan, and their success will rely on proper execution and resources.

Not every student who goes to an export workshop will become an exporter right away. Some will need to improve their products. Others might find chances in digital services or in supporting roles within the export chain. The program will support these different paths while keeping an eye on commercial results.

Ayeni has shared the goal behind STEP-X: to make the journey from campus to the global market shorter and easier. The real test will be if the program can give students the knowledge, resources, and connections to succeed.

In the end, STEP-X will show its value not by how many students attend the training sessions, but by how many start successful businesses that take Nigerian products to the world.