The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has introduced the Export Mentorship Program (EMP) in Abuja, aiming to enhance the capabilities of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) venturing into the export industry in Nigeria.
Mrs. Nonte Ayeni, the Executive Director of NEPC, explained that the EMP is a strategic initiative where aspiring exporters are paired with established manufacturing exporters for a defined period to learn the fundamentals of non-oil export business.
Ayeni emphasized that the EMP is designed to address skill gaps and challenges faced by newly registered exporters, offering them practical learning experiences from seasoned exporters. She highlighted the program’s hands-on approach, providing mentees with direct exposure to the entire process of non-oil export business.
She further noted that less than 10% of novice exporters globally successfully transition into performing exporters within their first 3–5 years of operation. This statistic underscores the importance of the EMP in bridging the gap between prospective and performing exporters.
Dr. Joe Itah, Director of Trade Information at the Council, provided details about the pilot phase of EMP, which involved 20 mentees under the guidance of 5 mentors. He announced that 15 mentees have successfully completed their training and will receive certificates.
A representative from one of the mentoring organizations, Valency Agro Nigeria Ltd., Trolochan Ojha, praised the initiative and expressed readiness to train more young talents for the sector’s growth.
Mentee Baba Ransom Adamu of Za & Raglobal Systems Ltd. shared that the program has equipped him for success in non-oil exports. All 15 participants who successfully completed the pilot phase received certificates in recognition of their achievement.
