FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES “HIRE FROM NIGERIA” CAMPAIGN

GOOD NEWS FOR NIGERIAN YOUTHS AND PROFESSIONALS

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES “HIRE FROM NIGERIA” CAMPAIGN

The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched the “Hire From Nigeria” campaign, a national initiative designed to connect Nigerian talent, professionals, businesses and skilled young people with international employers and markets.

The campaign seeks to enable Nigerians to work for global companies and clients, earn foreign exchange and participate in the global economy without necessarily relocating abroad.

The initiative is being implemented under the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), in partnership with private-sector and development organisations, including Tech4Dev, iDICE and the Mastercard Foundation.

WHAT IS “HIRE FROM NIGERIA”?

The campaign is based on the growing global demand for knowledge, skills, creativity and professional services that can be delivered across borders without the physical movement of workers.

Rather than viewing exports only through commodities such as crude oil, agricultural products, solid minerals and manufactured goods, the Federal Government is seeking to position Nigerian human capital as an important export.

This means Nigerian professionals, digital workers, creatives, technical workers and businesses can provide services to international clients while remaining in Nigeria.

The Federal Government believes Nigeria has significant advantages in the global talent economy, including:

1. A large and youthful population.
2. A growing pool of skilled professionals.
3. Strong entrepreneurial culture.
4. English-language proficiency.
5. A favourable time zone for African, European and international markets.
6. Expanding technology and digital capabilities.
7. A growing creative industry.
8. A strong services sector.
9. Increasing availability of digital and technical skills.

TARGET OF 1 MILLION EXPORT-LINKED JOBS

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, said the National Talent Export Programme is targeting the creation of 1 million export-linked jobs by 2030.

The government’s focus is to identify existing Nigerian capacity, remove barriers to international market access and convert skills and businesses into international contracts, export earnings and employment opportunities.

The programme is also working to establish structured talent pipelines and ensure that Nigerian professionals meet international standards for quality, reliability and value.

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY ACADEMY

The Federal Ministry of Education is also developing a Digital Technology Academy in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and National Orientation.

The academy is expected to train more than 35,000 Nigerians in areas including:

1. Software development
2. Cybersecurity
3. IT automation
4. Artificial intelligence
5. Machine learning
6. Natural language processing
7. Cloud computing
8. Quantum computing

The programme is expected to run for 6–8 months and provide professional certifications aimed at improving participants’ access to international technology opportunities.

MORE THAN 200,000 NIGERIANS CURRENTLY IN TRAINING

The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, said more than 200,000 Nigerians are currently undergoing training across more than 1,200 skills training centres.

According to the minister, training programmes are increasingly adopting an 80% practical and 20% theoretical model, with trainees assessed and certified through relevant national skills certification processes.

The government is also expanding partnerships with global technology companies to provide digital training opportunities in tertiary institutions.

Nearly 50 institutions are already enrolled in the Amazon Web Services Online Academy.

NIGERIAN TALENT FOR THE GLOBAL MARKET

The Federal Government says the major objective is not simply to train more people, but to connect trained Nigerians with actual international demand.

The “Hire From Nigeria” campaign therefore focuses on three key areas:

1. DEVELOPING SKILLS

Preparing Nigerians with practical, technical, digital and professional skills required by global employers.

2. CONNECTING TALENT TO MARKETS

Creating pathways through which international employers, outsourcing companies and clients can discover and engage Nigerian professionals and businesses.

3. CONVERTING SKILLS INTO ECONOMIC VALUE

Turning Nigeria’s human capital into international contracts, foreign exchange earnings, jobs, business opportunities and investments.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG NIGERIANS

The campaign could create opportunities for Nigerians working or seeking careers in areas such as technology, software development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, business support, creative services, outsourcing and other digitally delivered professional services.

The initiative also recognises that global economic participation is no longer limited by geography.

A Nigerian professional can increasingly work for an employer or client in London, Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong, the United States or elsewhere while continuing to live and work from Nigeria.

WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS BUILDING

Under NATEP, the government is developing several structures to strengthen Nigeria’s participation in talent and services exports.

These include:

1. National Coordination Mechanism for Services Exports.
2. Nigeria Talent Accelerator Network.
3. Digital services survey and directory of Nigerian service providers.
4. Engagement with global employers and outsourcing partners.
5. Nigeria’s participation as a Country Partner for the World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report 2026.
6. Development of Nigeria’s first National Outsourcing Policy, expected in November 2026.

17 SECTORS MAPPED

According to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, NATEP, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, has developed a digital services survey and directory mapping Nigerian service providers across 17 sectors.

More than 90% of the businesses surveyed were headquartered in Nigeria, while 41% of digital entrepreneurs were below 35 years old.

Established firms surveyed were already serving an average of 2.6 international markets.

GLOBAL LAUNCH AT THE UNITED NATIONS

The government plans to take the “Hire From Nigeria” campaign to the international market on 24 September 2026 during the 81st United Nations General Assembly at the Nigerian House in New York.

Global employers, business process outsourcing buyers, investors and strategic partners are expected to be presented with opportunities to hire Nigerian talent, award contracts and invest in Nigeria’s services sector.

MESSAGE TO NIGERIAN YOUTHS

The Federal Government is encouraging young Nigerians to recognise that they do not necessarily have to leave Nigeria to participate in the global economy.

With the right skills, professional standards, certifications, digital tools and access to international markets, Nigerians can provide services to clients and companies around the world while working from home.

The “Hire From Nigeria” campaign therefore represents a shift towards positioning Nigerian talent and professional services as an important contributor to economic growth.

WHAT THIS MEANS

The initiative could create a stronger connection between Nigerian education and skills development programmes and the actual needs of international employers.

It also seeks to make Nigerian talent more visible and trusted internationally while creating opportunities for young people, professionals, entrepreneurs, digital workers, creatives and businesses.

The Federal Government says hiring from Nigeria should be viewed not as an act of goodwill, but as a commercially sound decision based on the quality, competitiveness and value Nigerian talent can offer.

NIGERIAN YOUTHS AND PROFESSIONALS SHOULD WATCH THIS SPACE FOR UPCOMING TRAINING, TALENT REGISTRATION, INTERNATIONAL JOB, OUTSOURCING AND SERVICES EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES UNDER THE NATIONAL TALENT EXPORT PROGRAMME.