The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has awarded certificates to 12 of its staff who successfully completed an international trade programme.
The Director-General of NEPC, Dr Nonye Ayeni, made this known on Wednesday at the graduation ceremony for the 2021 Class of the Level 4 Diploma in International Trade Programme, held in Abuja.
Ayeni described the programme as a significant achievement for the participants. She noted that although 22 individuals commenced the training, only 12 completed it.
She commended the graduates for their commitment, stating that they underwent rigorous training, engaged in extensive professional development, balanced their duties with studies, and acquired credentials that position them as globally competitive trade professionals.
“This is no small feat,” Ayeni said. “It is an honour to celebrate such a notable accomplishment. This success goes beyond personal advancement it is a national asset. Exports are not merely a policy objective; they are an economic imperative. They connect local industries to global markets, drive job creation, foster industrial growth, and support foreign exchange stability.
“For Nigeria to truly prosper beyond oil, we must work together to develop resilient, sustainable, and diversified export value chains.”
She emphasised that expanding exports, enhancing value addition, and connecting Nigerian products and services to international markets are vital to both the country’s economic growth and to strengthening UK–Nigeria trade relations.
Ayeni described the graduates as ambassadors for Nigeria’s trade agenda and its partnership with the United Kingdom.
She urged them to use their newly acquired skills to assist local businesses in scaling globally, leverage their networks to connect Nigerian goods to British consumers, and promote an open, fair, and forward-thinking trade environment.
Also Read: NEPC Announces 24.75% Increase in Nigeria’s Non-Oil Exports
She also commended NEPC’s commitment to capacity building, noting that its collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the UK Chartered Institute exemplifies the kind of practical, skills-driven partnership the nation needs.
“By investing in people, we invest in progress. Today, we are witnessing the returns on that vision a cohort of professionals ready to extend Nigeria’s global trade footprint,” she said.
Speaking virtually, Mrs Aissatou Diallo, Chief Officer for Africa at ITC in Geneva, Switzerland, remarked that the ceremony marked not only an academic milestone but also Nigeria’s strategic investment in trade expertise.
“We are proud of NEPC’s leadership under Dr Ayeni. The council and its staff are responding proactively to the demands of an evolving global trade landscape,” Diallo said.
“By equipping staff with internationally recognised trade skills, we are collectively boosting Nigeria’s export potential and deepening NEPC’s integration into global markets.”
Mrs Evelyn Obidike, NEPC’s Director of Product Development, who graduated top of the class, expressed gratitude for the strength and support received throughout the programme.
“Today is indeed a remarkable day. We began this journey in 2021, and it is gratifying to graduate at last. The programme was rigorous and practical we acquired valuable skills and knowledge not only to guide young officers but also to better advise exporters,” she said.
Obidike added that the training had equipped them to tap into opportunities within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as well as the European market.
She extended appreciation to NEPC, ITC, and all stakeholders who supported the programme.
