Unemployment Now a Security Threat – IEOM Says, Advocates Student Export Drive to Save Naira

The Institute of Export Operations and Management (IEOM) has raised alarm over Nigeria’s rising unemployment, describing the development as a growing security threat and no longer an economic problem.

Executive Secretary of IEOM, Ofon Udofia issued this warning on Thursday, July 10, 2025, during the Student Export Development Programme (SEDP) at the Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He stressed that empowering students to earn at least $100 through export can help stabilise the naira and reduce economic hardship, stating that the Institute launched the initiative to tackle youth unemployment by teaching students how to earn from export.

“We know very well that the unemployment level in this country is getting to a security risk, children are engaging themselves in things they are not supposed to, and the question is, have we shown them what to do?”.

He explained that the SEDP is focused on guiding university students on how to export simple, non-commercial products worth at least 100 dollars to countries like the United States, United Kingdom, or within Africa, so they can start earning while still in school.

“The essence of the Institute doing this and creating this platform called IEOM Academy is to see how students in the university can export, so that peradventure they leave school and there is no white-collar job, they can fall back to that.”

According to him, the IEOM Academy is an online learning platform that trains students on how to export products, build skills, and even make money using their talents.

 “It’s another way of drifting them out of using phones to do wrong things, gossip, and giving them the skills to do something meaningful,” adding that students can learn about talent export on the platform.

“You can plait your hair and export it, you can export your dance, you can export your language,” he said, adding that the training also comes with certification, which can improve their chances of being employed in the global export industry.

Udofia believes if more young people are supported in this direction, the country will benefit from increased trade and foreign exchange while value on the naira will increase significantly.

“If the student population is about 50,000 and each of them is doing $100 export per session, you know what will come into this country”.

“If Nigeria will survive, we either export or we perish, I want the universities, the government, all the public and private sectors to join hands together to preach this gospel of export, mostly with the student export development programme.”

Welcoming guests to the event, IEOM’s Administrative Manager and Coordinator, Women in Export, Mercy Odibe said the programme was created to connect classroom learning with practical business skills.

“Today is not just another day on campus. It is a defining moment, one where we bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical industry exposure”.

Speaking, the President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Chinyere Nwoga, who was represented by Anderson Hart, said PHCCIMA is proud to partner in the programme.

She noted that PHCCIMA supports youth-focused empowerment programmes and has continued to push for opportunities that create jobs and develop skills.

“We are here today because PHCCIMA supports youths and students primarily through initiatives focused on economic empowerment, skill development, and advocacy for inclusive growth”.

The Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), represented by Mandu Inanna, also pledged its support.

She said NSPRI has developed technologies that students and young people can use to start agribusinesses and export food products. She added that the institute will be holding a hands-on food processing training in Port Harcourt later in July.

Managing Director of Ambi-Dex Engineering Construction Limited, Chimbuo Victor told students that the future belongs to those who take opportunities seriously.

“My being here today is with excitement because I’m standing before great men and women, people that are going to be the next line of millionaires”.

“Pay attention because some of you will leave the four walls of this university and your eyes will open when you leave. Some people allow the information they would have held unto to pass just like that.”

He urged them to reflect deeply, saying, “What can you do if you are left alone to survive? What do you want to be? What value do you have to give in exchange for success?”

He shared a personal lesson, “What can you do was the question I asked myself years ago. When I answered that question, I discovered that I could do many things.”

Student leaders and participants shared their excitement about the programme.

Speaker of the Student Union Government, Dornu Felix said, “This initiative is something we need to venture into. The insight I’ve gotten today, I believe that if I can also work with it, because we living or residing in Nigeria”.

“I’ve got to discover that we have so many natural resources that if we can take note of can really help us bring about development and help us financially.”

Another student, Martin Deborah, said the programme opened her eyes to new opportunities.

“I’ve learnt that I could make money even being a student, I would do everything to make something useful out of this programme”. With more institutions showing interest in the initiative, IEOM says it plans to expand the programme from the Niger-Delta to other parts of the country, starting from the South-East.