The minister says Nigeria must move beyond training talent and convert its growing services capacity into contracts, export earnings and jobs.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr Jumoke Oduwole has formally launched the Federal Government’s Hire from Nigeria campaign, calling on global employers to view Nigerian talent as a commercial opportunity rather than an act of goodwill.
Oduwole launched the initiative in Abuja on Monday, describing it as a national economic proposition aimed at positioning Nigeria as a trusted global source of skilled talent and digitally delivered services.
“Hiring from Nigeria is not an act of goodwill. It is a sound commercial decision that delivers capability, innovation, competitiveness and value,” she said.
The campaign is being implemented through the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), alongside government and private-sector partners including Tech4Dev, the Bank of Industry’s iDICE programme and the Mastercard Foundation.
Oduwole said the initiative was designed to connect Nigeria’s existing talent and services capacity with international demand, while turning the country’s demographic strength into jobs, export earnings and investment.
Hire from Nigeria shifts focus to global demand
The minister said Nigeria had deliberately moved its talent-export strategy towards a demand-led services export model, with the focus now on converting existing capacity into international business.
She said the government had coordinated a national framework for services exports, established the Nigeria Talent Accelerator Network and was engaging global employers and outsourcing partners.
Nigeria is also developing its first national outsourcing policy, which Oduwole said is scheduled for launch in November 2026.
“Nigeria’s advantage is not theoretical,” she said, citing the country’s professional workforce, strong services base, growing technology ecosystem and time zone, which she said was well suited to African and European markets and beyond.
Oduwole said the challenge was to turn those advantages into contracts by organising talent pipelines, meeting international standards and consistently delivering quality, reliability and value.
The strategy forms part of NATEP’s ambition to enable one million export-linked jobs by 2030. The programme was launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the United Nations General Assembly in 2023 and has since been repositioned around Nigeria’s participation in the global services economy.
Oduwole said Hire from Nigeria would build on evidence of the capacity already present in the country.
She cited a digital services survey conducted by NATEP in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, which mapped Nigerian service providers across 17 sectors. According to her, more than 90 per cent of the providers identified were headquartered in Nigeria, while 41 per cent of digital entrepreneurs were under 35 and established firms served an average of 2.6 international markets.
She said the findings would guide targeted market access, policy and sector support under the campaign.
Hire from Nigeria targets international contracts
Oduwole also pointed to the Women Exporters and Digital Economy Fund implemented by the Nigeria Export Promotion Council as an example of the government’s approach to moving from training to commercial opportunities.
According to the minister, $710,000, approximately N978 million, had been disbursed to 128 women-owned export-oriented businesses.
“This intervention has moved beyond training and aspiration. Capital is now in the hands of Nigerian women, building for digital and international markets,” she said.
Oduwole said the model behind Hire from Nigeria was to identify proven capacity, remove barriers to market access and convert Nigerian enterprise into export earnings and jobs.
She said the campaign would receive an international push at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in September, where Nigeria plans to present its talent and services capabilities to global employers, outsourcing buyers and investors. The campaign is expected to hold a dedicated engagement at the Nigerian House in New York on September 24.
“As we take it to the global stage at the 81st United Nations General Assembly, our message will be direct,” Oduwole said.
She added that Nigeria’s message to the global market would be that hiring from the country offers businesses access to capability, innovation, competitiveness and value.
Oduwole also described the campaign as an all-government effort, with the Ministries of Education, Information and National Orientation, Labour and Employment, and Foreign Affairs supporting skills development, national branding, labour standards and international networks.
The launch was attended by Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris, Education Minister Maruf Tunji Alausa and representatives of NATEP, Tech4Dev, the Mastercard Foundation and other partners.
Formally declaring the campaign launched, Oduwole gave a direct message to prospective international employers.
“To global employers, I say: when you need skilled talent, innovative thinking and reliable services, think Hire from Nigeria,” she said.
