The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), South West Regional Office, in collaboration with Shea Origin, has empowered youth corps members with practical skills in cosmetics production and export opportunities under its Youth Export Development Programme (YEXDEP).

The sensitisation workshop, held at Regent Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, brought together 37 corps members eager to explore the non-oil export sector and embrace entrepreneurship.

In her welcome address, NEPC’s Acting Regional Coordinator for the South West, Mrs Bolanle Emmanuel, urged corps members to look beyond job seeking and position themselves as job creators.
“At NEPC, our goal is to help young Nigerians identify opportunities in the non-oil export sector.

The future belongs to those who can add value, innovate, and think globally,” Emmanuel said.
She emphasised the importance of value addition, cluster development, and active participation, assuring participants that NEPC remains committed to mentoring young entrepreneurs from ideation to export readiness.

She also asserted that “Our youths are talented and resourceful; what you all need is exposure, mentorship, and the right opportunities—and that’s what NEPC is committed to providing.”

Emmanuel, however, educated participants on the steps involved in export documentation, including business registration with the CAC and NEPC. She encouraged them to visit www.nepc.gov.ng for further guidance and online resources.

“No business should remain informal. Once you formalise your operations, you open doors to bigger markets and export incentives,” she said.

The NYSC Lagos State Coordinator, Mrs Christiana Salmwang, represented by Mrs Kemisola Nifemi Salami, commended NEPC for the initiative, noting that the service year offers the ideal period for corps members to acquire entrepreneurial skills and develop sustainable businesses.

Delivering the keynote address, Mrs Mobola Sagoe, Director of Shea Origin, shared her entrepreneurial journey and advised participants to understand key export documentation processes such as Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration, NEPC certification, and the Non-Oil Export Form (NXP)—all vital for legitimate trade.

“The NXP form enables exporters to declare their products, receive payments through official channels, and repatriate foreign earnings. It is a crucial part of international business compliance,” Sagoe explained.

Also speaking, Mrs Oluwaseyi Sanwoolu, Director, Export Division at NAFDAC, commended NEPC for promoting value-added exports. She urged the participants to ensure their products meet regulatory standards before seeking certification.
“Quality is not negotiable if you want to compete globally,” she said. “Producers must prioritise safety and compliance before obtaining NAFDAC certification,” she added.