Why Nigerian Students Should Learn Export Skills

Every year, many young Nigerians finish their studies in universities and polytechnics with big dreams. Sadly, they often face a tough job market that cannot accommodate them. For some, finding work turns into a frustrating struggle filled with uncertainty and fewer chances.

But there is another route that needs more focus. Instead of waiting for jobs, many young Nigerians can start businesses that reach customers outside the country. They just need to learn about the opportunities in export trade early on.

This is why the recent suggestion from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) is important.

During a visit to NEPC's Executive Director, Mrs Nonye Ayeni, the student group pushed for a nationwide plan. This plan aims to teach students practical skills in export trade and entrepreneurship. It includes setting up export hubs in universities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

This proposal could change how Nigerian students get ready for life after school. If done right, it could help create a new group of entrepreneurs who can turn local products, services, and ideas into businesses that compete globally.

For a long time, talks about youth development have mostly focused on employment. While creating jobs is crucial, the export economy offers a strong alternative. It promotes innovation and wealth creation instead of just relying on salary jobs.

The need for this change is clear.

The National Bureau of Statistics reports that 14.4 percent of Nigerians aged 15 to 24 were not engaged in work, education, or training in the first quarter of 2024. This statistic hides millions of talented young people who are not fully utilized. They have the creativity and energy to help the economy.

On the other hand, Nigeria’s non-oil export sector is showing signs of growth.

In 2025, the country achieved its highest non-oil export earnings, reaching about $6.1 billion. This was an increase from $5.46 billion in 2024. Export volume went up to over eight million metric tonnes. Nigerian products were sent to 120 countries, with 281 export items finding markets worldwide.

These numbers show that there is already a global demand for Nigerian products.

The challenge is to ensure that more young Nigerians are ready to enter this growing market.

Opportunities in exports go beyond just agriculture.

A student studying food science can create export-ready food items. A fashion designer can build well-known clothing and leather brands. Software developers can provide digital solutions. Students in engineering, agriculture, accounting, logistics, marketing, and business administration also have skills that can support different parts of the export process.

What many of them lack is exposure.

Well-planned campus export hubs could help by teaching students about export rules, product development, quality standards, certification, packaging, branding, international payments, logistics, market research, and connecting with buyers.

More importantly, these hubs should link promising student entrepreneurs with experienced exporters, banks, regulators, and international buyers.

This approach would be much more effective than another seminar where participants just get certificates and go back to their routine.

The aim should be clear: to help students turn innovative ideas into successful export businesses.

Luckily, NEPC is not starting from scratch.

The Council has already set up the Export Skills Acquisition Centre with LeLook Academy to teach young Nigerians about garment and bag production. Through its Export Mentorship Programme, new exporters are paired with experienced professionals for practical guidance.

Mrs Ayeni mentioned that the Council organized 728 capacity-building programs across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in 2025. More than 10,000 people benefited from these programs.

The proposed university export hubs can build on these existing efforts instead of repeating them.

It is also important to remember that Nigeria’s export opportunities differ from one region to another.

With the National Universities Commission listing 328 universities, including 77 federal, 69 state, and 182 private institutions, the country has a wide educational network that can support export education across the nation.

Yet, these hubs should not follow a one-size-fits-all model.

As I said in an earlier article, institutions in Kano and the North-West should use regional strengths in sesame, grains, leather, textiles, and agricultural products. Universities in the South-West could focus on manufacturing, technology, fashion, processed foods, and creative industries. Other regions can develop programs based on their unique advantages.

Export education should blend national strategies with local economic needs.

Nigeria does not lack exportable products.

In 2025, cocoa beans alone brought in nearly $2 billion in export earnings, followed by urea, cashew nuts, sesame seeds, and gold dore.

But the best opportunity for Nigeria lies not only in exporting raw materials. It is in adding value through processing, packaging, certification, branding, and innovation.

This is where young professionals can make the biggest difference.

Food technologists can improve product quality and shelf life. Digital marketers can connect Nigerian products with buyers abroad. Software developers can create online platforms. Accountants can enhance financial systems. Entrepreneurs can combine these skills into successful export businesses.

Modern export success needs teamwork across different fields.

It takes more than just farmers and traders. It needs professionals who understand global markets, international standards, and the value of Nigerian innovation.

Still, Nigeria’s long history of youth empowerment initiatives teaches us a lesson.

Training numbers are easy to show off. But building lasting businesses is much harder.

The proposed Students Export and Entrepreneurship Initiative should be judged not by the number of workshops held but by real results. These include new businesses started, export-ready products developed, certifications earned, trade partnerships made, and successful international sales completed.

The framework suggested by NANS covers student identification, skill building, exposure, mentoring, and market access. This provides a strong base.

But each step must lead to the next: training should result in product development. Product development should lead to certification. Certification should open doors to the market. And market access should lead to sustainable exports.

Mrs Ayeni has rightly said that Nigerian youths are key to the country’s non-oil export plans.

The real task now is to turn Nigeria’s youth advantage into productive business skills.

Universities should not just prepare students for jobs. They should also become places where future exporters, innovators, and competitive entrepreneurs are developed.

Nigeria has shown that its products can compete in markets in 120 countries.

The next step is to help more young Nigerians learn how to take both their products and skills to these markets.

Somewhere on a Nigerian campus today is a student with a great product, a creative service, or a business idea that could attract customers in London, Dubai, Nairobi, Accra, or Tokyo.

What might be missing is not talent, ambition, or determination.

It is simply the link between the classroom and the global market.