The Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, was established through the promulgation of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council Decree No. 26 of 1976, now an Act in line with the democratic governance of the country.
The Council is the leading Federal Government agency charged with the responsibility of promoting non-oil export in Nigeria to diversify away from oil and build a formidable economy.
The decree has been amended severally to enhance the performance of the council by minimizing bureaucratic bottlenecks and increasing autonomy in dealing with members of the organised private sector. The Council has a governing board drawn from both the Public and private sectors.
Mission and some functions of the NEPC
To promote non-oil exports as the key driver of the Nigerian economy. Position the export market as the growth opportunity of choice for private sector earnings and sustainable economic development. Functions of the council:
• To promote the development and diversification of Nigeria’s export trade.
• To assist in promoting the development of export related industries in Nigeria.
• To spearhead the creation of appropriate export incentives and
• To actively articulate and to promote the implementation of export policies and programs of the Nigerian Government.
• To co-ordinate and monitor export promotion activities in Nigeria.
• To collect and disseminate of information on products available for export.
The administration of the Council was structured in the following regard: The Board consists of the Chairman and ten members. The Council is headed by an Executive Director/CEO while the Departments and Directorates are each headed by a Director/Deputy Director. NEPC Management consists of the Executive Director/CEO, while Directors /Deputy Directors act as Heads of Departments/Directorates. Zonal Controllers are the administrative heads of zonal offices.
The Council has fifteen zonal offices located at Aba, Akure, Benin, Enugu, Gusau, Jos, Kano, Lagos, Maiduguri, Makurdi, Minna, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Uyo, Yola; while Lagos, Kano and Port-Harcourt serve as Area Offices for easy co-ordination of the activities of the Zonal Offices.
