By Mikailu Abubakar
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Kaduna State Coordinating Office, has reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment and economic diversification by participating in the Youth Export Development Programme (YEXDEP) organized by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) recently.
Held in Kaduna under the theme “From Passion to Port: Unlocking Youth Export Potential”, the event gathered stakeholders from across government, business, and civil society to promote youth involvement in Nigeria’s non-oil export sector.
Speaking on behalf of RMRDC, the State Coordinator, Mr. Mutallab J.S, accompanied by Mr. M. Umar a Senior Technical Officer, emphasized the untapped potential of Nigeria’s agro and solid mineral resources. He urged young entrepreneurs to harness locally available products like shea butter to create value-added goods for export.
Highlighting a new legislative requirement that mandates a minimum of 30% local value addition to raw materials prior to export, Mr. Mutallab described the policy as a strategic move to stimulate industrial growth and ensure economic resilience.
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“This legislation is not a barrier, but an opportunity for innovation,” he noted. “It will encourage youth to think beyond raw exports and focus on processing and branding, which will increase product value and international competitiveness.”
The programme featured a series of technical sessions, goodwill messages, and interactive workshops aimed at preparing young entrepreneurs for export readiness. Topics ranged from export procedures and product certification to market access and digital tools for global trade.
In a keynote address delivered on her behalf, the Director-General/CEO of NEPC, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, reiterated the Council’s commitment to building a vibrant youth-led export ecosystem. She outlined NEPC’s strategic interventions—including the Export Mentorship Programme (EMP), Go Global Go Certification, and Zero to Export Programme all designed to support youth participation in the non-oil export economy.
Other key presentations centres on: Enhancing Youth Participation in Non-Oil Exports; Export Procedures and Documentation, and Leveraging E-Commerce and Digital Tools for Export Growth
Stakeholders from the Kaduna State Agricultural Development Agency (KADA), National Productivity Centre, Matan Arewa, and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Technology delivered goodwill messages, expressing strong institutional support for youth-led export initiatives.
The event concluded with a call for increased collaboration between public agencies, private sector actors, and youth-led enterprises to develop a globally competitive non-oil export sector that contributes to inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
RMRDC Kaduna reiterated its ongoing commitment to fostering youth innovation, promoting value addition in raw materials, and enhancing Nigeria’s position in the global marketplace.
